Who is looking at the economic data when the US is closing in on one of the most important presidential elections in the last few decades? Of course, what presidential election has not been important? Personality polarization has driven party behavior to extremes with little focus on policy proposals. Constant change to meet the current electoral audience has created uncertainty; however, the written proposals of the candidates provide clear policy differences.
Our global themes focus on the economics and not the opinions for an election that at this time is too hard to handicap. We have not changed our opinions much since the last month. Fed movement likely at the end of the year, the slow growth continuing, and the weight of presidential election, all create an environment where markets will stay within ranges.
Recent events remind us that balance in energy markets can be delicate. A conflict in the Middle East and the removal of a sitting President in Venezuela resulted in sharp moves across the energy industry in early 2026. Currently, the Iran War is creating havoc in crude shipments, affecting the world. While trouble in that […]
Markets often communicate more clearly through price action than through headlines. The dramatic surge in metals contracts is sending a powerful signal, but what exactly is it telling us? Traders frequently monitor inter-market relationships for early warnings. When one asset class moves unusually, it can ripple across the system or reveal deeper structural issues. In […]
History never repeats itself, but it often rhymes. This is even more so the case this year, as Trump began his second term with similar but different disruptions to the markets. Rising stocks, normalizing inflation, and the AI boom took center stage. We discuss some of the key events below and try to anticipate where […]