Jacob Conley - Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual

Will a September rate cut be enough to prevent the economy from tipping into recession? Our Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte offers his take.

Fed Signals Rate Cuts Are Coming—Now Comes the Hard Part News of a likely rate cut in September was overshadowed by weak economic data. We look at why investors’ concerns are warranted.

Conflicting data gives some investors hope the Fed can achieve a soft landing. Get Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s take as he explores the latest stock market trends, inflation data and Fed strategies in this week’s Market Commentary.

Markets End Volatile Week on High Note Amid Mixed Signals In this week’s Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte explores the latest stock market trends, inflation data and Fed strategies.

Investors move away from big tech as speculation about a potential rate cut grows. Find out why in this week’s Market Commentary.

Shifting Sands: Investors Move From Big Tech Amid Rate Cut Speculation As the economy shows signs of slowing, investors move from big tech to other sectors. We explore whether a rate cut this fall could prevent a recession.

Investors cheered more soft inflation data out last week. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why investors should focus on what’s driving the easing price pressures before popping the champagne.

More Progress on the Inflation Front Has Investors Cheering Soft inflation data gave investors reason to cheer. But are the markets overestimating the Fed’s willingness to cut rates?

Market performance for the second quarter may not be as strong as it appears. Here’s a timely analysis from our chief investment officer about the outsized impact a small number of businesses had on returns and where compelling opportunities still exist in a slowing economy.

Do the Markets Reflect a Widespread Suspension of Disbelief? In Northwestern Mutual’s Quarterly Market Commentary, we look at how some investors may be ignoring signs of a slowing economy.

Last week brought more signs of a slowing economy and a slowdown in the pace of wage growth. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how that may play into the Fed’s decision-making and what it means for the economy.

Would a September Rate Cut Be Enough for the Economy? Investors are again betting on a rate cut in the fall. We take a closer look at whether that would be enough to avoid a recession..

The latest inflation figures show that price pressures are easing; unfortunately, so is the economy. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the Fed may feel handcuffed in making meaningful rate cuts even as the economy slows.

Inflation Reading Marks a Step in the Right Direction, but the Fed Likely Needs More Inflation appears to be heading in the right direction, but is it moving fast enough? We take a closer look for answers.

Since the end of COVID, normally reliable indicators of the economy have seemingly missed the mark. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how the muddied picture may affect timing of rate cuts.

Latest Data Follows a Familiar Trend and Further Complicates the Fed’s Job Inconsistent and sometimes contradictory data is making the Fed’s job more difficult and may lead to rates staying higher for longer.

Better than expected inflation data has investors once again expecting a soft landing. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the path forward may not be as smooth as many think.

Markets Jump on Latest Inflation Readings The latest inflation data added fuel to an already surging market. In this week’s Market Commentary, we look at why investors may be wise to temper their enthusiasm.

Your opinions about the strength of the job market may come down to which employment report you read. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the discrepancies between two leading reports and weighs in on how the disconnect in reports complicates the Fed’s decision on rates.

Conflicting Jobs Data Creates Challenges for the Fed Is the job market red hot or showing signs of cooling? Last week’s employment data suggests both. In this week’s Market Commentary, we look at why getting an accurate read on the employment picture may be a challenge for the Fed.

The latest data shows the disinflationary process is progressing at a snail’s pace. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the modest improvement in prices pressures is unlikely to satisfy the Federal Reserve.

Latest Inflation Data Fails to Deliver Ah-ha Moment The latest inflation data showed gradual improvement. We look at why the pace of disinflation is still a concern.

The latest economic data cast further doubt on the timing of potential rate cuts. In this week’s Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why investors may be underestimating the chance of a bumpy road ahead for the economy.

A Look at the Market’s Unyielding Belief in Immaculate Disinflation Are investors overestimating the likelihood of a soft landing? We look at challenges that remain for the economy and Federal Reserve.

Higher interest rates appear to be taking a toll on the economy. In this week’s Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at whether the Fed can get inflation under control before the weak economy dips into a recession.

Why the Pace of Disinflation Is So Important With higher rates clearly impacting the economy, is inflation falling fast enough to allow the Fed to avoid a recession?

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why faltering consumer sentiment could pose another challenge to the economy.

How Main Street Sentiment Could be a Challenge for the Economy How does the latest tumble in consumer optimism fit into the economic picture? Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how recent conflicting wage data highlights another wrinkle for the Fed to contend with.

Another Challenge for the Fed to Contend With Look for more volatility in inflation as we move later into the business cycle. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the latest economic and jobs data and how it points to a tough task ahead for the Fed.

Latest Economic Data Underscores the Fed’s Tough Task Ahead More signs emerge that inflation is moving in the wrong direction. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how recent inflation trends have put the Fed on hold when it comes to rate cuts and what it means for the economy.

Investors Adjust to the Likelihood of Higher Rates for Longer Recent inflation measures have the Fed pumping the brakes on rate cuts. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the latest inflation numbers and why a focus on valuations may be a good approach if the Fed holds rates higher for longer.

More Hot Inflation Data Dashes Hopes for Significant Rate Cuts More evidence of stubborn inflation may force the Fed to keep the brakes on the economy. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

The markets had a strong first quarter despite inflation sticking around. Here’s a timely analysis from our chief investment officer about what lingering price pressures may mean for the Fed and economy.

Why Sticky Inflation Is Making Things Difficult for the Fed In Northwestern Mutual’s Quarterly Market Commentary, we look at how sticky inflation may signal the late stages of the economic cycle.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the latest economic data and what it means for the Fed.

Timing of Rate Cuts Remains Cloudy Amid mixed economic data over the past week, investors are now solidly split on whether the Fed will cut rates in June. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte digs into the latest inflation figures and why the Fed should think twice about cutting rates in the near term.

Latest Data Gives Fed Little Reason to Cut Rates The latest inflation data may have the Fed holding rates higher for longer. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the Fed’s latest economic forecasts and why expected rate cuts may not materialize as quickly as some investors think.

Markets Cheer Latest Fed Projections The latest economic forecasts from the Fed underscore the balancing act it faces on rates. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

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In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the latest inflation data and the impact higher interest rates are having on consumers.

Signs of Lingering Inflation Raise the Stakes for the Fed The latest inflation data puts the Fed in a tough situation when it comes to cutting rates. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at what the latest data has to say about the employment picture and what it means for the Fed.

Mixed Employment Data Highlights the Challenge the Fed Faces The latest employment data provides little clarity on when the Fed might act on rates. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the latest inflation data and why it should be cause for concern by the Fed.

Trending Inflation Is a Cause for Caution Investors look past the trend in inflation as markets hit new highs. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at a recent investor trend and the risk it poses.

The Risk Some Investors May Be Missing A recent investor trend may be putting some folks at risk. Read more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the latest inflation data and why the Fed may be compelled to hold rates at current levels for longer.

Hot Inflation Readings Dash Hopes for Near-Term Rate Cuts Latest Inflation data highlights that more progress is needed before the Fed cuts rates. Read more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at wages and employment numbers and what it means for the timing of potential rate cuts.

Hot Wage Growth Highlights Lingering Inflation Risks Strong wage gains may tie the Fed’s hands on rates. Read more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte discusses where we are in the business cycle and why it may mean rate cuts are on hold.

Will the Fed Risk Overheating the Economy? The decline of the inflation rate could reverse if the Fed cuts rates too soon. Read more in our Weekly Market Commentary.