Jan Eeckhout
Review via NPR
While it’s had some ups and downs, the stock market has soared to historic heights in recent years. For many, that’s great news: It’s a sign the economy and their retirement accounts are doing really well. For Jan Eeckhout, however, the booming stock market is a sign there’s something deeply wrong with the economy.
Sure, the economist says, he has a retirement account with stocks, and he personally benefits from the ongoing bonanza on stock exchanges. But the rocket ride of the stock market is powered by the exploding profits of increasingly powerful corporations. Their increasingly ridiculous profits, he says, are eating the income of the vast bulk of workers and hurting the overall economy. That notion is the central thesis of his forthcoming book, The Profit Paradox: How Thriving Firms Threaten the Future of Work.
The ETF Portfolio Strategist: 4 June 2021
- Another week of gains across asset classes and around the world
- Global asset allocation continues to pay off for portfolio strategies
Is The US Dollar At Risk Of Losing Reserve Currency Status?
Dollar weakness is a topical subject this year, inspiring new forecasts that the currency is in danger of losing its reserve currency status. Advocates of this outlook point to various clues that suggest the end is near. But a careful review of the likely replacements suggest that the greenback will retain is central role in world trade for years to come.
Macro Briefing: 4 June 2021
* Biden signals willingness to negotiate with GOP on infrastructure package
* NY Fed president says it’s too early to reduce stimulus
* Is the US economy at risk of overheating?
* Global growth continued to accelerate in May via PMI survey data
* US economic growth strengthened in May via Composite PMI data
* US jobless claims fell below 400k for first time during pandemic
* US ISM Services PMI continues to indicate strong sector growth in May
* US private employment growth accelerated in May to 7-month high:
Major Asset Classes | May 2021 | Risk Review
Risk-adjusted performance for the Global Market Index (GMI) continued to tick higher in May.
Macro Briefing: 3 June 2021
* Israel opposition parties strike deal to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
* Global employment recovery to prepandemic level will take years
* Congress considering new policies to ease labor shortage
* Fed to begin winding down program that bought corporate assets
* A United Nations gauge of world food costs rose for 12th straight month in May
* Will oil prices continue rising this summer?
* China growth eased in May via Composite PMI, a survey-based GDP proxy
* Economy growing at moderate pace, Fed’s Beige Book reports
* CRB Commodity Index closes at 6-year high:
The ETF Portfolio Strategist: 2 June 2021
They’re alive! They’re alive! Emerging markets stocks are alive! Or so it seems.
After languishing in a trading range for weeks, Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets (VWO) surged in the past two days, ending today’s session (June 2) at the highest level since February. Is it risk-on for EM?
Risk Premia Forecasts: Major Asset Classes | 2 June 2021
The Global Market Index’s (GMI) expected risk premium held steady at 5.9% annualized in May, matching the previous month’s estimate. The forecast — performance above the “risk-free” rate – remains well below the realized risk premium in recent history, based on rolling 10-year annualized results.
Macro Briefing: 2 June 2021
* First human case of H10N3 bird flu reported in China
* World’s largest meat supplier is latest victim of ransomware attack
* OPEC+ oil producers agree to stick to gradually ease supply curbs
* Biden suspends oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic refuge
* Malaysia charges China breached airspace over South China Sea.
* Will Friday’s jobs report upend Biden’s economic agenda?
* Has the bet on inflation peaked?
* US manufacturing activity strengthened in May via ISM Mfg. Index
* US construction spending rose less than expected in April
* Global manufacturing activity rose to highest level in 11 years in May:
Major Asset Classes | May 2021 | Performance Review
The major asset classes delivered across-the-board gains for a second month in a row in May. Excluding cash, everything was up last month, led by a sizzling rally in foreign inflation-linked government bonds.