Market Commentaries

In a May 13 webcast on the economic outlook, Fed Chair Powell took a somber tone, noting that the unprecedented speed and scope of the current downturn has been “significantly worse than any recession since World War II.” The Fed’s policy response was quick and forceful, but “may not be the final chapter, given that the path ahead is both highly uncertain and subject to significant downside risks.” He cautioned that “the recovery may take some time to gather momentum...

Lawmakers, business leaders and healthcare professionals around the country are searching for solutions to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and reopen the U.S. economy. In such challenging times, it can be difficult to know how to proceed. Because fluctuations in the financial markets may also give you cause for concern, we want to share with our valued clients the latest insights from the strategists at Raymond James.

For the most part, assessments of the economic impact of COVID-19 have been more qualitative than quantitative. Data reports are backward-looking and often distorted. However, in recent weeks, the unprecedented surge in jobless claims has helped us to begin assessing the economic damage from social distancing.

To say that a lot has changed in the last month is the understatement of the year, or perhaps a lifetime; it seems our lives are changing by the hour. We hope to be a voice of calm in times of uncertainty, so we wanted to share the latest article from Raymond James investment thought leaders.