Stableford Capital Insights

After beginning the year on a strong note equity and bond prices fell during February as strong economic data quashed hopes of a rapid Fed pivot. Ten-year U.S. Treasury yields leapt 42 basis points to 3.92% in February following a strong January payroll report of 517,000 additions, far above the highest economist estimate. The February Market Commentary will help explain what is going on.

Recently, the Global Independence Center held a conference focused on crypto, digital money, and decentralized finance. This blog provides a brief overview of Christopher J. Waller’s speech regarding the crypto ecosystem, the risks and benefits associated with crypto, and the future of digital currencies.

Equities began the year strongly, moving up 6% in January as investors anticipated a more accommodative Fed and traders bought the most beaten down names of 2022. Part of the move was seasonal, as investors put new money to work after extensive tax loss sales of 2022. The January Market Commentary will help explain what is going on.

Markets haven’t believed the Fed all year. At every FOMC meeting Chair Powell seemingly surprises investors with Fed hawkishness. The same scene keeps repeating itself. But those days are long over; investors are now struggling to catch up with the Fed’s hawkish stance at every meeting. The December Market Commentary will help explain what is going on.

Managing the tax implications of your investments are key elements of the Stableford Capital investment process. Whether you are a Family Office, Family Limited Partnership, Family Trust or Individual account, the managing of capital gains and losses is the same.

The CPI report date 10- Year U.S. shows treasury yields fell an astounding 27 basis points as investors concluded that we’ve seen peak rates. In total, 10-Year U.S. treasury yields plunged a whopping 45 basis points to close out at 3.6% for the month. Meanwhile, equities jumped 5.4% for the month on the belief that lower rates would support higher valuations. The November Market Commentary will help explain what is going on.

After a brutal September, the S&P 500 bounced 8% during October. With the heightened fears of the Liz Truss UK debacle in September, news could not get any worse—and it didn’t. When market sentiment and fear reach extreme levels, a constant stream of bad news is required to push indexes down further. In the absence of further unwelcome news, markets bounced. The October Market Commentary will try to help explain what is going on.

The Federal Reserve has been researching central bank digital currency (CBDC), referred to as “Fedcoin.” An executive order by President Biden encourages federal agencies to urgently research crypto regulations and explore plans to implement a CBDC. In the U.S. FedNow is the first step in that process.

Interest rates reached levels last seen in 2010 following U.K. prime minister Liz Truss’ surprise deficit-widening budget (and associated borrowing requirements) forced bond sales by U.K. Pensions in order to meet margin calls. U.S. Treasury rates, already moving higher in September, were pushed to even higher levels as panic set in at U.K. pensions in search of liquid assets to unload quickly. The September Market Commentary will try to help explain what is going on.

Stableford Capital is a registered financial advisory firm that employs evidence-based investment processes customized for individual investors. Our integrated advising services, unique philosophy, and client-first approach are key aspects in our job as fiduciaries to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.