Market Commentary

Insights

Cumberland Advisors Market Commentary offers insights and analysis on upcoming, important economic issues that potentially impact global financial markets. Our team shares their thinking on global economic developments, market news and other factors that often influence investment opportunities and strategies. Our readers appreciate its timeliness, depth of analysis, and quality of research.

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  • Takeaways from NABE
     Author(s): Robert Eisenbeis, Ph.D. | Mon October 2, 2017



    The 59th annual meeting of the National Association of Business Economics took place earlier last week in Cleveland with a stellar lineup of presentations on the state of the US and world economies. Chair Yellen headlined the meeting with a tour de force discussion of why the Fed can’t figure…


  • Munis in Third Quarter 2017 – All About Storms
     Author(s): John R. Mousseau, CFA | Sat September 30, 2017



    The real story of the muni bond market in the third quarter of 2017 was the impact of the three large named storms: Harvey, Irma, and Maria.


  • 3Q2017 Review: Taxable Total Return
     Author(s): Daniel Himelberger | Fri September 29, 2017



    The third quarter of 2017 saw a strong equity market, while yields in the fixed-income market experienced continued volatility. The big picture for the Treasury market during the third quarter was that yields were little changed, with the 1-year Treasury yield increasing by 7.6 basis points and…


  • September's FOMC Decision
     Author(s): Robert Eisenbeis, Ph.D. | Thu September 28, 2017



    As we at Cumberland Advisors expected, the FOMC left its policy rate unchanged for the moment and announced that it would begin the process of normalization of its balance sheet in October. They have a plan. It has been well-articulated. There were no surprises, and the Committee and Chair…


  • A Tale of Two Countries
     Author(s): Bill Witherell, Ph.D. | Wed September 27, 2017



    Currently visiting France, a country in which I lived for some 26 years, I am struck by the widespread optimism about the economic and political future of the nation. This upbeat sentiment contrasts sharply with French attitudes in recent decades and with the situation across the Channel in the…


  • Market Volatility ETF Portfolio 3Q 2017 Review: A Low-Volatility Market
     Author(s): Leo Chen, Ph.D. | Tue September 26, 2017



    As we march through one all-time high after another in the third quarter this year, our quantitative market volatility strategy has benefited significantly from being fully invested. The leveraged portfolio has done particularly well.

    The volatility index, VIX, which is highly correlated…


  • A Marshall Plan for the Caribbean
     Author(s): David R. Kotok | Mon September 25, 2017



    “George Catlett Marshall, Jr. (December 31, 1880 – October 16, 1959) was an American statesman and soldier. He was Chief of Staff of the United States Army under presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, and served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense under Truman.” Source…


  • 3Q2017 REVIEW: MLP
     Author(s): Richard Daskin | Fri September 22, 2017



    We have started to see a bottoming process in the energy space begin to take hold. Limitations in crude oil production by OPEC and non-OPEC energy producers appear to have stabilized the supply to markets. In addition, demand is performing a bit better than forecast. As a result the US WTI (West…


  • Quick Note on Hurricane Maria and Insured Puerto Rico Bonds
     Author(s): John R. Mousseau, CFA | Thu September 21, 2017



    Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico today as a Category 5 storm. Our hearts and prayers go out to the citizens of Puerto Rico, as we know this storm will cause extensive damage to the Commonwealth.


  • Accelerating Relief Efforts by Making Each Dollar Count
     Author(s): Gabriel Hament | Wed September 20, 2017



    In the wake of the twin tragedies of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, here at Cumberland we are doing what we can to assist and support those organizations that are efficiently deploying resources to help vulnerable households regroup and get back on their feet. We have all heard the stories and…


 

 

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."

Plutarch