While economic and market variables are not perfectly correlated, an understanding of their interactions is important. As a result, a look at long-range projections relative to historical outcomes certainly is warranted.
Market Update: December 2, 2025
Market price volatility picked up in November with concerns focused on Fed policy and stock-market expectations for additional AI-generated profits.
Breadth
Hundreds of indexes are available today for measuring trends in and performance of financial markets. The perspective here provides some thoughts on market indexes, their construction and use, with implications for financial markets and portfolio construction.
Debt
The perspective here provides some thoughts on the use of debt across the economy with its implications for economic activity and financial markets.
Precious
Investments in precious metals can be found in a portfolio, primarily gold and silver. These metals are considered precious as they are thought to be valuable, rare and durable. But what role do they play in a portfolio.
Misery
An important assessment of fiscal policy is its impact on the well-being of the electorate. The perspective here provides some comparisons that might be useful for assessing the economic environment ahead and investment implications.
Big & Beautiful
Finding one big beautiful investment in which to anchor a portfolio is a wishful pursuit. The perspective here provides some comparisons that might be useful for determining what portfolio structures and strategies merit greater attention over time.
What If
With a contraction in real U.S. economic growth in the first quarter of 2025, concerns over an outright recession have risen.
Rest-of-the-World
A common diversification strategy involves setting the allocations between U.S. stocks and stocks domiciled in the rest of the world.
Tariffs
Analysis of tariff policies and consequences will be ongoing for some time. The perspective here provides some basic information that may be useful as tariff dynamics continue to unfold and as markets respond.
