The Weekly Edge

Hard and Soft

Hard and Soft

Those of us raised on science fiction movies know the difference between the “hard” and “soft” parts of the genre. Soft sci-fi films, like Jurassic Park or Star Wars, prioritize human emotion over plausibility, which is often what makes them crowd-pleasers. But a...

Jump Scares for Halloween

Jump Scares for Halloween

“Everyone’s entitled to one good scare.” – Rounding up the Latest Economic News It’s officially November. The trick-or-treating is over, and the days of noshing on leftover candy have begun. As investors, the past several weeks made us feel a bit like a group of...

How it Ends: A Decade of Low Returns?

How it Ends: A Decade of Low Returns?

Last week, Goldman Sachs’ Portfolio Strategy Research team caused quite a stir when they evoked DeVotchka’s 2004 indie hit “How It Ends” (without lyrics the song is titled “The Winner Is” and provides the contemplative backdrop for the dysfunctional and endearing indie film Little Miss Sunshine. Take this as a sign to go ahead and eat the ice cream.)

Famous Last Words

Famous Last Words

If there is a GOAT (Greatest of All Time) title for “Famous Last Words” in financial market valuations, it has to go to Irving Fisher, who infamously quipped in 1929 that “stock prices have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.” Of course, we know what happened after this not-so-reassuring statement: the Dow plunged 89% and took 25 years to make a new high.

Bound for the Floor: Recalibrating Fed Policy

Bound for the Floor: Recalibrating Fed Policy

Powell’s kick off to the recalibration cutting cycle and the questions that it raises highlight the incredibly Strange characteristics of this cycle overall. To begin a cutting cycle with a supersized, emergency-like cut when equity markets are at all-time highs, financial conditions are broadly easy, and total employment is at a record is a backdrop so unique that it is consistent with our Strange Landing expectations.