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Conversation among two persons

Experts offer their insights on the U.S. and global markets

Successful investing begins with being informed. Read the insights of top Schwab professionals and keep up with the daily flux of the stock market.

US Market Commentary

An Investors’ Guide to the 2021 Elections
Market Commentary

An Investors’ Guide to the 2021 Elections

by Jeffrey Kleintop
January 19, 2021
Joe Biden takes the Presidential oath of office this week in the U.S., marking the end of a long U.S. political contest; a year of political challenges is just getting started overseas.
Schwab Market Perspective: A Narrow Path Up
Market Commentary

Schwab Market Perspective: A Narrow Path Up

by Liz Ann Sonders, Jeffrey Kleintop, Kathy Jones
January 15, 2021
U.S. stocks have continued to climb amid optimism about a vaccine-led economic recovery, but bad news could easily throw markets off track.
Market Commentary

Scar Tissue: Weak Jobs Report Emphasizes COVID’s Scars

by Liz Ann Sonders
January 11, 2021
December brought the first payrolls decline since last April; with leisure/hospitality—and women—bearing the brunt of the weakness. Expect more economic “scarring” to come.
Top Five Global Investment Risks In 2021
Market Commentary

Top Five Global Investment Risks In 2021

by Jeffrey Kleintop
December 21, 2020
Risk is often the result of a very high degree of confidence among market participants in one specific outcome.
The Song Remains the Same: Fed Keeps Rates/Balance Sheet Steady
Market Commentary

The Song Remains the Same: Fed Keeps Rates/Balance Sheet Steady

by Liz Ann Sonders
December 16, 2020
The Federal Reserve acted as expected; making no changes to policy, but updated its economic projections with a slightly rosier GDP and unemployment outlook.
Rise Up: Vaccines Brought Broader Market Participation
Market Commentary

Rise Up: Vaccines Brought Broader Market Participation

by Liz Ann Sonders
December 14, 2020
The market’s tenor changed in early September, when the “rotation era” began; with the benefit of better breadth, but the risk of euphoric sentiment.
Market Commentary

A Vaccine: The Best 2020 Holiday Gift

by Jeffrey Kleintop
December 7, 2020
The planned vaccine rollout is good news that has lifted the stock markets around the world. But the reality of the rollout faces risks that could extend the time frame for mass immunizations.
Market Commentary

2021 U.S. Market Outlook: Better Days?

by Liz Ann Sonders
November 30, 2020
Stocks head into 2021 having crossed the COVID chasm; but the economy has more work to do. Will vaccines get us to the other side?
2021 Schwab Market Outlook

2021 Global Outlook: New Cycle, New Leadership

by Jeffrey Kleintop
November 23, 2020

As 2020 draws to a close, economic momentum is fading with infection rates on the rise, governments responding with more lockdowns, and few prospects for any major near-term fiscal stimulus. However, the global economy has the potential to make a full recovery in 2021, rebounding from the -4.4% decline in 2020 with growth of +5.2% in 2021, according to current estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Market Commentary

Changes: Vaccine News Changing Market’s Leadership Characteristics?

by Liz Ann Sonders
November 16, 2020
Recent positive COVID-19 vaccine may represent a light at the end of the tunnel; but the resurgent virus means we’re still in the darkest part of the tunnel.
Election Day to Inauguration Day: a test for global stock markets
Market Commentary

Election Day to Inauguration Day: a test for global stock markets

by Jeffrey Kleintop
November 9, 2020
Stock market performance during the transition period between outgoing and incoming U.S. presidents tends to be more dependent on the economic cycle than the election results.
Too Much: Market Succumbed Again to Trifecta of Virus, Fiscal Relief and Election Uncertainty
Market Commentary

Too Much: Market Succumbed Again to Trifecta of Virus, Fiscal Relief and Election Uncertainty

by Liz Ann Sonders
November 2, 2020
Last week ended with the S&P 500 having its worse week since March; amid surging virus cases and election uncertainty. Is the worst over?
“De-globalization” Already Happened And It Didn’t Matter
Market Commentary

“De-globalization” Already Happened And It Didn’t Matter

by Jeffrey Kleintop
October 26, 2020
In 2020, politics and the pandemic have led to a lot of speculation that they could bring about an end to the rise of globalization—yet that began over a decade ago.
Mixed Emotions: Sentiment Telling Divergent Stories
Market Commentary

Mixed Emotions: Sentiment Telling Divergent Stories

by Liz Ann Sonders
October 19, 2020
Investor sentiment is telling a mixed story about the market’s ascent since the March low; begging the question, will the skeptics converge with the optimists?
Global Impact of a “Blue Wave” Election Outcome
Market Commentary

Global Impact of a “Blue Wave” Election Outcome

by Jeffrey Kleintop
October 12, 2020
The potential economic and market impacts a “Blue Wave” for the U.S. election could have on five key areas: taxes, labor, the environment, oil and trade.
Election Blues: Looking at Election History for Market Guidance
Market Commentary

Election Blues: Looking at Election History for Market Guidance

by Liz Ann Sonders
October 5, 2020
With investors already on edge regarding election uncertainty, an “October surprise” arrives yet again. Can history provide some guidance on how elections impact markets?
Risk of Second Wave of COVID-19 Lockdowns
Market Commentary

Risk of Second Wave of COVID-19 Lockdowns

by Jeffrey Kleintop
September 28, 2020
The biggest political risk facing investors may be the potential for politicians to implement national lockdowns in response to a rise in new COVID-19 cases that could lead to renewed recession and a new bear market for stocks.
Brexit Is Back: The Endgame For Investors
Market Commentary

Brexit Is Back: The Endgame For Investors

by Jeffrey Kleintop
September 14, 2020
The risk of a “no deal” Brexit and the potential economic harm that accompanies it increased last week.
Stock Market “Inequality” Hides A Big Change
Market Commentary

Stock Market “Inequality” Hides A Big Change

by Jeffrey Kleintop
August 31, 2020
The recent imbalances in the stock market can lead to vulnerability; rebalancing portfolios may be valuable to help balance exposure to U.S. capitalization-weighted benchmarks relative to international stocks.
Confidence Is Everything: 3 Things May Shake It
Market Commentary

Confidence Is Everything: 3 Things May Shake It

by Jeffrey Kleintop
August 17, 2020
Confidence matters; faith in a brighter future drives risk taking, fueling growth through investment and consumption.

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