Jim Smallegan - Northwestern Mutual

As the Fed prepares to cut rates, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte highlights how we got here and what risks the economy and markets face going forward.

Stocks Surge as Investors Look Forward to Rate Cuts Investors are cheering a likely rate cut this week. But are they overlooking why the Fed feels the need to cut rates?

Whether the economy slips into recession or sticks the soft landing, volatility is likely to stick around. Here’s Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s take on how investors can respond.

Disappointing Jobs Data Suggests an Economy Nearing the Edge More signs emerged that the economy is nearing an inflection point. How should investors respond to the growing risks?

Equities rode a wave of investor optimism to close out August on a high note. Here’s Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s look at what risks the Fed believes still exist and how investors can manage them.

Investors’ Confidence Sends Markets Higher Stocks closed higher thanks to a resurgence of investors’ confidence. But does the economic data warrant current valuations?

Equities climbed last week thanks to more confirmation that the Fed is ready to cut rates. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the Fed may be limited in how far it can go to stem an economic slowdown.

Some Investors Expect Rate Cuts Will Save the Day, but Will the Economy Follow the Script? Will the Fed’s rate cuts be enough to save the day? Or is the economy following a different script?

Markets surged last week on encouraging economic headlines. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte digs into the details to see whether the good times can continue.

Why Not Too Hot nor Too Cold May Not Be Just Right Economic headlines last week offered an incomplete story of the economy. We sift through the details for a clearer picture.

Recent economic data shows why a soft landing may be difficult for the Fed to achieve. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte weighs in with his take on what investors should consider as they prepare for more bumps ahead.

Markets Bounce Back, but Risks Remain Last week’s market volatility may be just the beginning. We look at how investors can brace for more turbulence ahead.

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.

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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.

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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.