Expert Insight & Commentary
Markets & Economy
Get timely stock market analysis, perspectives and ideas from our team of experts.
Schwab Sector Views: Shifting Leadership, Shifting Positions
by Brad Sorensen
May 23, 2013
Our current sector recommendations reflect our overall view on the economic outlook, while also taking into account specific sector influences.
by Brad Sorensen
May 23, 2013
Our current sector recommendations reflect our overall view on the economic outlook, while also taking into account specific sector influences.
Debt Ceiling Drama Delayed Until Fall
by Michael Townsend
May 15, 2013
Higher tax receipts and lower government spending are two reasons the summer showdown over the debt ceiling can be put off until after Labor Day.
by Michael Townsend
May 15, 2013
Higher tax receipts and lower government spending are two reasons the summer showdown over the debt ceiling can be put off until after Labor Day.
Everybody Wants Some: Central Banks and Bond Funds Step up Buying of Stocks
by Liz Ann Sonders
May 14, 2013
The stock market continues its impressive run with some notable and unique big buyers: global central banks and even bond mutual funds.
by Liz Ann Sonders
May 14, 2013
The stock market continues its impressive run with some notable and unique big buyers: global central banks and even bond mutual funds.
Schwab Market Perspective: Tenuous Times?
by Liz Ann Sonders, Brad Sorensen and Michelle Gibley
May 10, 2013
Economic indicators are mixed and global concerns are elevated—is May the time to go away?
by Liz Ann Sonders, Brad Sorensen and Michelle Gibley
May 10, 2013
Economic indicators are mixed and global concerns are elevated—is May the time to go away?
Disconnect: Why Stocks and Economy Often Move in Opposite Directions
by Liz Ann Sonders
April 30, 2013
The stock market hit all-time highs during the first quarter, yet the economy again underperformed expectations. Is the disconnect an aberration or the norm?
by Liz Ann Sonders
April 30, 2013
The stock market hit all-time highs during the first quarter, yet the economy again underperformed expectations. Is the disconnect an aberration or the norm?
The Obama Budget Proposal: 5 Takeaways for Investors
by Michael Townsend
April 15, 2013
A cap on itemized deductions and tax-preferred retirement savings, changes to cost basis and more: key proposals from the president's budget.
by Michael Townsend
April 15, 2013
A cap on itemized deductions and tax-preferred retirement savings, changes to cost basis and more: key proposals from the president's budget.
Eye of the Beholder: Dissecting the Variety of Price-Earnings Ratios
by Liz Ann Sonders
April 2, 2013
There are many ways to value the stock market. Here, a look at several popular metrics, along with my view on the attractiveness of stocks.
by Liz Ann Sonders
April 2, 2013
There are many ways to value the stock market. Here, a look at several popular metrics, along with my view on the attractiveness of stocks.
7 Things to Know about the Budget Battles in Washington
by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
March 27, 2013
Congress managed to avoid a government shutdown with little fanfare. The upcoming debate over the debt ceiling probably won't be resolved so easily.
by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
March 27, 2013
Congress managed to avoid a government shutdown with little fanfare. The upcoming debate over the debt ceiling probably won't be resolved so easily.
The Fed Holds Steady—Again
by Kathy Jones
March 20, 2013
Federal Reserve policy makers modestly upgraded their assessment of the economy, but announced they will maintain current easing policies for the foreseeable future.
by Kathy Jones
March 20, 2013
Federal Reserve policy makers modestly upgraded their assessment of the economy, but announced they will maintain current easing policies for the foreseeable future.
Congress Poised to Avert Government Shutdown
by Michael Townsend
March 19, 2013
Democrats and Republicans look like they'll be able to agree on a plan to fund the government through late September—but longer-term budget issues remain unresolved.
by Michael Townsend
March 19, 2013
Democrats and Republicans look like they'll be able to agree on a plan to fund the government through late September—but longer-term budget issues remain unresolved.
Sequester Cuts Go Into Effect, But Impact Remains Uncertain
by Michael Townsend
March 4, 2013
Many federal agencies are just beginning to figure out how to implement the mandated cuts that just went into effect—and the public may not notice the impact for weeks.
by Michael Townsend
March 4, 2013
Many federal agencies are just beginning to figure out how to implement the mandated cuts that just went into effect—and the public may not notice the impact for weeks.
Reminiscences of Marty Zweig: What I Learned From a Market Great
by Liz Ann Sonders
March 1, 2013
In mid-February, Wall Street lost one of its icons—my former boss and mentor Marty Zweig. Indulge me while I reminisce.
by Liz Ann Sonders
March 1, 2013
In mid-February, Wall Street lost one of its icons—my former boss and mentor Marty Zweig. Indulge me while I reminisce.
Sequestration: Implications for the Defense Industry
by Brad Sorensen
February 26, 2013
Budget cuts appear certain for the defense industry. What should investors do and what might it mean to overall economic growth?
by Brad Sorensen
February 26, 2013
Budget cuts appear certain for the defense industry. What should investors do and what might it mean to overall economic growth?
Three Fiscal Deadlines Loom for Congress
by Michael Townsend
February 25, 2013
Keep an eye on three key dates as Washington enters its latest round of budget-related battles.
by Michael Townsend
February 25, 2013
Keep an eye on three key dates as Washington enters its latest round of budget-related battles.
Outlook for 2013 Federal Reserve Policy
by Kathy Jones
December 28, 2012
The Fed recently tied its policy to explicit unemployment and inflation targets—and following these targets means short-term rates could remain near zero for years.
by Kathy Jones
December 28, 2012
The Fed recently tied its policy to explicit unemployment and inflation targets—and following these targets means short-term rates could remain near zero for years.
Election 2012: Takeaways for Investors
by Michael Townsend
November 8, 2012
After the election, the balance of power in Washington remains largely unchanged. Are we in for four more years of political gridlock?
by Michael Townsend
November 8, 2012
After the election, the balance of power in Washington remains largely unchanged. Are we in for four more years of political gridlock?
Uncertainty Reigns: The Election and the Fiscal Cliff
by Mike Townsend
October 29, 2012
Congress returns to Washington after the election for a critical post-election session to tackle the so-called "fiscal cliff." What's really at stake?
by Mike Townsend
October 29, 2012
Congress returns to Washington after the election for a critical post-election session to tackle the so-called "fiscal cliff." What's really at stake?
Us and Them: Household Sector Deleveraging vs. Public Sector Leveraging
by Liz Ann Sonders
September 18, 2012
The eruption of the financial crisis in 2008 unleashed a household deleveraging cycle, triggering unprecedented Fed easing and now QE∞. Next up, government sector deleveraging.
by Liz Ann Sonders
September 18, 2012
The eruption of the financial crisis in 2008 unleashed a household deleveraging cycle, triggering unprecedented Fed easing and now QE∞. Next up, government sector deleveraging.
Young Americans: The Death of Equities May be Exaggerated
by Liz Ann Sonders
August 20, 2012
Bill Gross made headlines recently with his commentary about the death of equities. Let me try a more positive spin with a dose of demographics.
by Liz Ann Sonders
August 20, 2012
Bill Gross made headlines recently with his commentary about the death of equities. Let me try a more positive spin with a dose of demographics.
Housing: Good Vibrations
by Liz Ann Sonders
July 30, 2012
It's time for an update to January's report on housing, and the news continues to get better. Household formations are key.
by Liz Ann Sonders
July 30, 2012
It's time for an update to January's report on housing, and the news continues to get better. Household formations are key.
Against the Wind: Stocks Fight Macro Headwinds
by Liz Ann Sonders
July 16, 2012
The economy is suffering another growth scare, but the stock market has been resilient and may reflect the expectations bar having been set sufficiently low.
by Liz Ann Sonders
July 16, 2012
The economy is suffering another growth scare, but the stock market has been resilient and may reflect the expectations bar having been set sufficiently low.
Q and A on Supreme Court Health-Care Decision
by Michael Townsend
July 2, 2012
The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. How might this decision affect investors and businesses?
by Michael Townsend
July 2, 2012
The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. How might this decision affect investors and businesses?
Achilles Last Stand: Greeks Vote in Favor of Euro
by Liz Ann Sonders
June 18, 2012
The Greek electorate voted to stay in the eurozone by supporting the pro-bailout party, but the immense problems in Europe are far from erased.
by Liz Ann Sonders
June 18, 2012
The Greek electorate voted to stay in the eurozone by supporting the pro-bailout party, but the immense problems in Europe are far from erased.
Our House: Is the United States the Best House in a Bad Neighborhood?
by Liz Ann Sonders
June 4, 2012
The latest employment report sunk markets near correction territory in the face of elevated global growth risks—but not all bright spots have darkened.
by Liz Ann Sonders
June 4, 2012
The latest employment report sunk markets near correction territory in the face of elevated global growth risks—but not all bright spots have darkened.
Month of May: Sell and Go Away, or Hang in There?
by Liz Ann Sonders
May 14, 2012
In the battle of macro versus micro, the former is currently winning. But this may be the year investors don't want to "sell in May."
by Liz Ann Sonders
May 14, 2012
In the battle of macro versus micro, the former is currently winning. But this may be the year investors don't want to "sell in May."
Panic Is Not a Strategy—Nor Is Greed
by Liz Ann Sonders
Updated May 10, 2012
In a world where time horizons have shrunk precipitously, think longer-term.
by Liz Ann Sonders
Updated May 10, 2012
In a world where time horizons have shrunk precipitously, think longer-term.
Rock Bottom: Housing May Have Already Hit It
by Liz Ann Sonders
January 17, 2012
Housing was not a negative contributor to US gross domestic product last year—for the first time since 2005. Could 2012 be a positive year?
by Liz Ann Sonders
January 17, 2012
Housing was not a negative contributor to US gross domestic product last year—for the first time since 2005. Could 2012 be a positive year?
Beyond the Supercommittee
by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
November 22, 2011
The supercommittee failed to reach an agreement. What does this mean for the US budget, tax code and economy going forward?
by the Schwab Center for Financial Research
November 22, 2011
The supercommittee failed to reach an agreement. What does this mean for the US budget, tax code and economy going forward?
Heartbreaker: Soft Patch Hits Stock Market
by Liz Ann Sonders
June 13, 2011
It's been a tough six-week correction in the stock market. Some sentiment and technical conditions look better, but we're not out of the woods.
by Liz Ann Sonders
June 13, 2011
It's been a tough six-week correction in the stock market. Some sentiment and technical conditions look better, but we're not out of the woods.
Expert Roundtable on Risk
with Mark Riepe, Liz Ann Sonders, Randy Frederick, Rob Williams and Brad Sorensen
May 31, 2011
Risk may sound like something best avoided, but in the investing world, risk and performance are intertwined. Schwab's experts discuss the topic.
with Mark Riepe, Liz Ann Sonders, Randy Frederick, Rob Williams and Brad Sorensen
May 31, 2011
Risk may sound like something best avoided, but in the investing world, risk and performance are intertwined. Schwab's experts discuss the topic.