U.S. Growth and the Fed: Fade to Beige?

The Fed's Beige Book gave a glimpse of the future impact of the labor shortage – and the trade conflicts; copper prices showed the impact of possible future trade weakness on today's demand; the UK and the EU get down to business on finding a workable compromise on a post-Brexit border in Ireland

Third Quarter Outlook

Market & Strategy Update: Quick Take

Western Asset CIO Ken Leech surveys the state of global bond markets, sharing views on growth, inflation and the impact of trade and monetary policy.

Mid Week Bond Update

The Fed Playbook: For Now

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s July 17th testimony before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee featured a slight, yet unmistakable shift in tone about the pace and level of future rate hikes...

U.S. Jobs: Changing Times

U.S. workers are getting raises the old fashioned way – by changing jobs; Mexico's new president-elect has had the apparent backing of financial markets so far; China's currency policies remained unchanged in the face of strong external pressure on trade.

MidWeek Bond Update

Brexit, Mexico, FX: What's Next?

Recent moves by the U.S. have encouraged talk of an end to the post-1945 world order in commerce and diplomacy. But business leaders and financial markets have reacted with relative calm, suggesting that the current chatter could be overdone.

Japanese equities

Kaizen for corporate governance

For a very long time, diversity has been the elephant in the boardroom as far as Japanese businesses are concerned -- but new national recommendations for corporate governance may be a catalyst for change.

Do Emerging Markets Have a U.S. Dollar Problem?

There is a widely held belief that emerging markets (EM) are vulnerable to U.S. dollar strength. We're not convinced.

U.S. Economy: Goldilocks Scenario?

Inflation hit the 2% target and personal spending picked up in May; The 28-member European Union found a way to agree on immigration policy; Mexico's election looked set to mark a significant change in direction.

The EM trends that matter

Many investors have historically been hesitant to invest in emerging markets, concerned about currency volatility, political instability and an over-reliance on commodities. Yet this view is increasingly outdated as the sector evolves and becomes more resilient.

Mid Week Bond Update

Back From the Brink: A Cautionary Tale?

The agreement announced June 22 between Greece and the rest of the European Union deferred repayment of older bailout loans by ten years...

OPEC: Crude Agreement

OPEC made a deal to hike production by 1 million barrels – and included Russia; Emerging Market election season begins with Turkey; European service growth beat expectations for June; U.S. tax revenue from its metals tariffs netted nearly $800 million so far; the costs have yet to be tallied.