Smart Beta ETFs Get Even More Popular
Brown Brothers Harriman study finds investors are now looking at them as defensive plays.
Market Moves
Nasdaq May Be Poised for a Big Rally, Tech Guru Says
Paul Meeks forecasts a double-digit advance for tech-heavy index in 2019.
ECB Won’t Hike Rates Until Late 2020, Deutsche Bank Says
Eurozone rates on hold for now, after central bank ends bond-buying program.
Bernie Sanders and Goldman’s Ex-Chief Feud over Stock Buybacks
Vermont senator calls them wasteful, while Lloyd Blankfein lauds repurchases as an ultimate economy booster.
Goldman: A Hot January for Stocks Moves into a Cooler Rest of Year
Firm says investors likely got ‘the bulk’ of their 2019 returns last month.
No, The Fed Isn’t as Dovish as the Market Thinks
Commonwealth’s McMillan notes that the central bank believes the economy is strong, so more tightening is coming.
Stocks Hurt the World’s Largest Pension Fund Last Quarter
Japan’s GPIF lost a staggering $136 billion due to Q4’s rout in equities.
Dutch Pensions Felt Major Pain in Q4
Average funding ratios fell by seven percentage points, amid down December.
Jerome Powell’s Lousy Market Record for Fed Day Ends
Since he took over the Federal Reserve, stocks had dropped on days when its policymaking body wrapped up work—until yesterday.
How the Government Shutdown Will Ding the Employment Report
The 35-day closure will pump the jobless rate up to 4.1% for January, RSM’s Brusuelas says.
Fewer Stock Buybacks Now Are Debt-Funded
As rates rise, company share repurchases using leverage dipped to 14% of total in 2018, half the 2017 level, JPMorgan says.
Don’t Worry About the Housing Slump, B of A Says
According to an economist at the bank, lower mortgage rates should improve the situation, which provokes eerie memories.
Buy-Side Firms Feeling Less Rah-Rah About Economic Growth
Sentiment survey finds positive sentiment drops to 48% from 67%.
Straw in Wind? Near-Junk Ratings Dominate US Corporate Bonds
Baa–rated issues reach record, although defaults at this stage are not worrisome, Moody’s data indicates.
Why Index Fund Creator Jack Bogle Hated ETFs
The late Vanguard founder was best known for passive investing. But he decried its offspring, exchange-traded funds, as an abomination.