Insights / Blogs

Insights / Blogs

On The Lookout

James Swanson, Chief Investment Strategist, helps readers make sense of the markets by sharing what he learns along the way.

April 21, 2015

Earnings Season's Greetings

Earnings have taken a hit from a combination of lower oil prices and a higher US dollar.
But similar episodes in history suggest that we may still have some clear sailing ahead.
Economic activity and equity valuations tend to pick up in the first phases of Fed rate cycles.


As earnings season commences for the first quarter, we’ve been thinking about the current slowdown and the interest rate trajectory — with the US Federal Reserve’s first hike still likely to occur later in 2015. What does this backdrop mean for equity valuations and earnings?

April 15, 2015

Profits Recession


Player for sales tools for widescreen videos


Jim Swanson considers similar historical episodes with lower energy prices and a strong US dollar, which hampered earnings in the near term but boosted growth in the longer term. Recorded April 2015.

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