Fed Stands Pat … But for How Much Longer?

by Liz Ann Sonders
March 16, 2010

The Fed stands pat with interest rates but may soon begin changing its language if inflation takes hold or job growth arrives in earnest.
 

Schwab Market Perspective: Left Behind?

by Liz Ann Sonders and Brad Sorensen
March 12, 2010

While investor sentiment remains shaky and economic data remains murky, the market has made a stealthy move higher—what does this mean for investors?
 

Schwab Sector Views: Health Care Portfolio Rx

by Brad Sorensen
March 11, 2010

Health care has dominated the headlines lately. We continue to see outperformance ahead despite recent troubles—learn why and get our other sector opinions.
 

Sorting Out Financial Reform

by Michael Townsend
Updated March 1, 2010

Regulatory reform of the financial industry once seemed certain. Why has it bogged down, and where does it stand now?
 

Fed: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood | 中文

by Liz Ann Sonders
March 1, 2010

The Fed's discount rate hike surprised many, but it doesn't suggest the Fed is planning to hike the fed funds rate any time soon.
 

A Different Kind of Blue: Correction, Not a Major Top

by Liz Ann Sonders
February 16, 2010

Market’s latest correction was overdue and healthy. We don’t believe it’s a sign of a major deterioration in fundamentals especially as valuation remains favorable.
 

Debt: What Is and What Should Never Be | 中文

by Liz Ann Sonders
February 1, 2010

Private- and financial-sector debt got us into this crisis, and many view public-sector debt as the solution. It's not: Belt-tightening is crucial.
 

A Change in Dynamics

by Michael Townsend
January 27, 2010

The recent Massachusetts Senate election has sent shock waves through Washington, shaking up healthcare reform, financial regulation, tax changes and more.
 

Washington Update: What to Watch for in 2010

by Michael Townsend
December 29, 2009

The year is shaping up as a critical one, with a number of key issues on the agenda, most notably, taxes, that will have long-term implications for investors and the markets.
 

Strange Brew ... What the Dollar and Gold Are Telling Us | 中文

by Liz Ann Sonders
October 19, 2009

The dollar's weakness and gold's strength remain top of mind for investors. The reasons behind them might not be what you think.
 

Emerging Markets Back in the Spotlight

by Michelle Gibley, CFA, Senior Market Analyst, Schwab Center for Financial Research
July 21, 2009

Even though emerging markets have already posted strong returns in 2009, are there still opportunities?
    

Markets Q&A: We Answer Your Questions

by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
Updated July 7, 2009

Answers to top questions about the current market, previous bear markets, and what a recovery might look like.
 

Economy Q&A: We Answer Your Questions

by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
Updated June 19, 2009

Answers to top questions about the economy. Topics include the recession, the dollar, deflation, and when a recovery might come.
 

Deficits, the Dollar and Exit Strategies

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
June 15, 2009

To try to combat the recession, the federal government is increasing debt to unprecedented levels. How we might get out of the crisis.
 

Characteristics of Economic Recovery

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
May 19, 2009

Why the recession may already be ending, and what recovery might look like. Plus, why you may not want to stay on the sidelines too long.
 

Relief Following Resolution of the Bank Stress Tests

by Michelle Gibley, CFA, Senior Market Analyst, Schwab Center for Financial Research
May 7, 2009

What might the results of the government stress tests mean for banks and the markets?
    

Is the Fed Turning the Dollar Into Monopoly Money?

by Michelle Gibley, CFA, Senior Market Analyst, Schwab Center for Financial Research
April 14, 2009

The Fed's been taking unprecedented action to improve credit availability. What are the risks, and how will we know whether its plans are working?
    

Deflation is Today’s Threat, Not Inflation

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
April 6, 2009 
 
Massive government cash injections have unleashed a growing fear of inflation. We think it’s a valid concern, but the real near-term threat is actually deflation.
 

Banking Q&A: We Answer Your Questions

by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
March 10, 2009

Answers to top questions about the financial services industry, FDIC insurance and more.

How Bad Can It Get?

by David Kastner, CFA, Director, Market Analysis, Schwab Center for Financial Research
January 6, 2009

An economic road map for 2009.
 

Recessions: How Does This One Compare?

by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
December 31, 2008

An analysis of recession trends since 1948, and why we believe this recession will be more protracted than most.
  

Anatomy of Bankruptcies: A Cautionary Tale

by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
December 15, 2008

What shareholders can expect when a company files for bankruptcy.
 

Arc of a Diver: Inflation Succumbs to Deflation

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Updated December 15, 2008

Although lingering concerns about inflation remain, deflation is the greater risk. Deleveraging is a deflationary phenomenon.
  

Recovery Watch 2009

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Updated December 2, 2008

It's not too early. What we're watching for signs of an economic rebound.
 

A Transformational Era of Deleveraging

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Updated November 5, 2008

The process of unwinding a decades-long credit boom begins. Financial fitness could be the calm after the storm.
 

VIX Up, Market Down?

by Bill Swerbenski, CFA, Director, Asset Allocation and Portfolio Analysis, Schwab Center for Financial Research
November 4, 2008

Spikes in the VIX index often occur during a bottoming process. 
  

Putting the Recession and the Stock Market in Historical Context

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Updated October 30, 2008

Looking back, we can learn a lot about the historical relationship between markets and economies to glean some sense of where we are today.
 

The Case for Stocks as a Long-Term Investment

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
October 11, 2008

Here are five reasons why we believe sticking with equities makes sense for long-term investors.
 

Uncovering the Mysteries of LIBOR

by Brad Sorensen, CFA, Director of Market and Sector Analysis, Schwab Center for Financial Research
October 10, 2008

How does the London Interbank Offered Rate affect consumers' and businesses' ability to borrow?
   

Depression Fears Overblown

by Mark W. Riepe, CFA, Senior Vice President, Schwab Center for Financial Research
October 8, 2008

It may seem like the financial world is imploding, but many safeguards remain.
 

Buy the Rumor, Sell the News

by Brad Sorensen, CFA, Director, Sector Research
October 7, 2008

Deciphering what news and expectations are already built into the market is not an easy task. We can help investors try to reconcile confusing market moves.
 

How Will the Boomer Wave of Retirement Impact the Market?

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
July 31, 2008

As baby boomers start to retire, we will begin to see how America's largest generation will redefine the concept of retirement.
 

Global Inflection Point?

by David Kastner, CFA, Director, Market Analysis, Schwab Center for Financial Research
July 18, 2008

Inflation dynamics could tip the balance toward U.S. equities.
 

Recessions and Bear Markets: A History of Inconsistencies

by Liz Ann Sonders, Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
February 21, 2008

Look no further than the business of forecasting and declaring recessions to understand why economics is considered such an imprecise science.
  

Uses and Abuses of Oil Trusts

by Brad Sorensen, CFA, Director, Sector Analysis, Schwab Center for Financial Research
August 15, 2007

Investors looking for ways to play the energy market have dabbled in oil and gas trusts. What are these instruments, and where might they fit in your portfolio?
 

Schwab Market Update

Schwab clients get the latest in-depth U.S. market news as well as analysis and commentary from respected sources, both proprietary and third party.