Category: Market Commentary

Market Commentary By Rafael A. Villagran, Portfolio Manager Markets started the year on a sprint, and that’s encouraging, particularly in light of how stocks finished 2018. But investing is a marathon and we always keep our focus on the longer-term. And, putting the first quarter rally into context, stocks just climbed back up to where [...]

Concern over slowing global growth and the strength of the US dollar caused a steep decline in global markets in the third quarter, erasing gains made over the prior twelve months. The S&P 500 ended down 6.4% for the quarter and -5.3% in nine months ended September.  International markets fared far worse with International markets, [...]

Since joining Coldstream in December, I have been dubbed the resident bear of our Investment Strategy Group (ISG) – not an easy brand to carry when you first come through the door. Though, to be honest, when it comes to the prospect of this current bull market, I tend to be rather “Eeyoric” compared to [...]

Three events in financial markets have received significant media attention in the last week: a potential Greece exit from the Eurozone, a potential default by Puerto Rico on its bond holdings, and the significant decline (after a rapid advance) in China’s equity markets.  The Coldstream Investment Strategy Group thought it important to cut through the [...]

I recently read a NY Times Magazine article by Clay Tarver, detailing the remarkable story of Jason Everman. Everman had the incredible distinction of being kicked out of both Nirvana and Soundgarden prior to their explosive success in the 1990s. He later, as he put it “decided to do the most un-cool thing, join the [...]

The end of 2014 brought yet again an increase in market volatility, angst surrounding global economic growth, and continued unease about the longer term central bank strategies and actions. Several key points are worth highlighting: Volatility in the stock market has picked up in the past few months. Concerns about global economic growth, the health [...]

With a back drop of an increasingly solid economic landscape in the US, deflation fears in Europe, and geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, Ukraine and Hong Kong, it is not surprising that the third quarter was tumultuous. European equity markets, responding to slowing growth, were weak across the board. In the United States, the [...]

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September started out great and ended with a whimper. The market as measured by the S&P 500 reached an all-time high two weeks ago when the S&P closed at 2011. Subsequently we have corrected 4% on an intra-day basis. Most pundits have been calling for a correction for months and the majority are looking for [...]