Quantitative Easing II: Watching for Unintended Consequences By: James Solloway, CFA, Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager The Federal Reserve (Fed) announced a second round of quantitative easing (QE), aiming to buy $600 billion of U.S. government-issued bonds over the next eight months. The majority of the purchases are in the middle of the […]
From the Desk of Timothy Shanahan
October 28, 2010 Dear Clients and Friends of Compass, Last week at SEI’s corporate headquarters in Oaks PA, I heard Bill Miller, the Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Legg Mason Capital Management (Legg Mason) present an optimistic market outlook (which I share) for the remainder of the year into 2011. I attended this adviser […]
SEI Presents 3rd Quarter Review
Each quarter, our strategic partner, SEI, presents an analysis of market condition. This video includes investor-friendly language, and is broken down into three sections: What’s Happening in the Markets, Impact on SEI Strategies and What We’re Doing. View the video by clicking here.
Comparing Recessions…US and Japan
Comparing Recessions: U.S. “Great Recession” vs. Japanese “Lost Decade” A spate of economic data during the summer months once again raised concerns that the U.S. economy is facing a “lost decade” like the one Japan experienced from 1991-2001, when Japanese economic growth practically flatlined in spite of extremely low interest rates. While we see […]
Investment Update: The Summer of Our Discontent
Ordinarily, it’s pretty quiet on Wall Street this time of the year, as many investment professionals take the opportunity to spend their summer vacations in the Hamptons. But this isn’t an ordinary year. Houses in the Hamptons can be rented by the month instead of by the season, and many of those houses are […]
SEI’s Second Quarter Review
Where have we been, and where are we headed? The following Outlook and Positioning presentation highlights issues such as: Causes of the second quarter’s market disarray Positives in the economic outlook Developments to watch in the short and long term SEI explains their reaction to current economic conditions here.
A Midyear Financial Checkup Can Make For a Smarter Second Half
This is not the time of year when everyone wants to stay indoors with their finances. But a midyear review of your tax situation, retirement and spending issues can be far more valuable than the rushed attempt most people make at the end of the year — or when it’s too late at tax time. […]
As Annuities Get Attention in Washington, It’s Worth Reviewing the Basics
Recent research from the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) shows that planners are embracing annuity products to help a more conservative generation of clients protect assets and reach their retirement goals. Apparently the White House is getting in on the annuity bandwagon as well.
Investment Update: Market Volatility Continues
From a market perspective, the month of May had more than its fair share of challenges.