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On November 19th, Microsoft (MSFT) is scheduled to release Flight Simulator 2024, the latest version of its popular flight simulation game for Xbox. Among the upgrades expected to be included in the latest version are more advanced missions, improved graphics & game play environments and enhanced multi-player capabilities. This is one of the company’s most highly anticipated game releases and should appeal to both flight enthusiasts and general gamers alike.
Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 Set to Boost Multiple Divisions
04 November, 2024 | GraniteShares
On November 19th, Microsoft (MSFT) is scheduled to release Flight Simulator 2024, the latest version of its popular flight simulation game for Xbox. Among the upgrades expected to be included in the latest version are more advanced missions, improved graphics & game play environments and enhanced multi-player capabilities. This is one of the company’s most highly anticipated game releases and should appeal to both flight enthusiasts and general gamers alike.
NVIDIA Corporation, a global leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, is set to announce its first-quarter earnings, a highly anticipated event in the tech sector. As a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry, NVIDIA's performance often serves as a barometer for the broader market, influencing investor sentiment and industry trends.
Topic: Equity , Leveraged Single Stocks
Publication Type: Investment Cases , Articles
What to Know Ahead of NVIDIA's Q1 Earnings
21 May, 2024 | GraniteShares
NVIDIA Corporation, a global leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, is set to announce its first-quarter earnings, a highly anticipated event in the tech sector. As a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry, NVIDIA's performance often serves as a barometer for the broader market, influencing investor sentiment and industry trends.
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending May 3, 2024)
06 May, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 26, 2024)
26 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 19, 2024)
22 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
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Gold is often though of as a hedge against inflation. With inflation reaching 40-year highs, some analysts may have expected gold to perform well. However, after a strong start of the year, mostly attributed to its role as safe-haven asset at the start of the Ukrainian war, the gold price retreated to its pre-covid 19 level. As of November 08, 2022, the price of gold is down 6.4% year to date (source Bloomberg).
Topic: Gold
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Gold Market Sentiments for the Entire Year
21 November, 2022 | GraniteShares
Gold is often though of as a hedge against inflation. With inflation reaching 40-year highs, some analysts may have expected gold to perform well. However, after a strong start of the year, mostly attributed to its role as safe-haven asset at the start of the Ukrainian war, the gold price retreated to its pre-covid 19 level. As of November 08, 2022, the price of gold is down 6.4% year to date (source Bloomberg).
The current economic tumult recatalyzes the classic, three-fold case for gold, namely asset stability, diversification and vulnerability of the dollar in the new Fed paradigm. This investment case explores the critical dynamics that have propelled gold to new record highs above $2,000/oz, and how the asset's unique status combining characteristics of a commodity and a currency lend gold unique value as the global economy attempts a reset from the COVID-19 tumult.
Topic: Gold
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Gold's Investment Case: New Record Highs
03 September, 2020 | GraniteShares
The current economic tumult recatalyzes the classic, three-fold case for gold, namely asset stability, diversification and vulnerability of the dollar in the new Fed paradigm. This investment case explores the critical dynamics that have propelled gold to new record highs above $2,000/oz, and how the asset's unique status combining characteristics of a commodity and a currency lend gold unique value as the global economy attempts a reset from the COVID-19 tumult.
For decades, the 60/40 portfolio—comprising 60% stocks and 40% bonds—has been the cornerstone of traditional investment strategies. It offers a balanced approach, with stocks providing growth potential and bonds acting as a stabilizing force through income generation and reduced volatility. This mix has historically delivered reliable, risk-adjusted returns, making it a go-to strategy for long-term investors seeking growth while managing downside risk.
Topic: Gold
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Sharpe Up Your Portfolio: Enhancing 60/40 with Gold
02 September, 2020 | GraniteShares
For decades, the 60/40 portfolio—comprising 60% stocks and 40% bonds—has been the cornerstone of traditional investment strategies. It offers a balanced approach, with stocks providing growth potential and bonds acting as a stabilizing force through income generation and reduced volatility. This mix has historically delivered reliable, risk-adjusted returns, making it a go-to strategy for long-term investors seeking growth while managing downside risk.
A somewhat choppy week for U.S. stock markets with the S&P 500 Index striving for but not reaching record highs on Wednesday. Despite stronger-than-expected U.S. economic reports (including lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims, strong retail sales and industrial production reports) and a falling number of new Covid-19 cases and deaths, U.S. stock markets struggled to move higher last week. Concerns surrounding the legality of President Trump’s executive orders combined with still-stalled congressional coronavirus-related stimulus negotiations and, perhaps, higher-than-expected PPI, CPI and wage inflation numbers may have limited stock market gains. The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved higher all through the week, reacting to corporate and government supply pressures, higher-than-expected inflation numbers and strong U.S. economic reports. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index increased 0.6% to 3,372.85, the Nasdaq Composite index increased 0.1% to 11,019.30, the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 14 bps to 71 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) weakened 0.4%.
Topic: Gold , Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commodities & Precious Metals Weekly Report: Aug 14
17 August, 2020 | Jeff Klearman
A somewhat choppy week for U.S. stock markets with the S&P 500 Index striving for but not reaching record highs on Wednesday. Despite stronger-than-expected U.S. economic reports (including lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims, strong retail sales and industrial production reports) and a falling number of new Covid-19 cases and deaths, U.S. stock markets struggled to move higher last week. Concerns surrounding the legality of President Trump’s executive orders combined with still-stalled congressional coronavirus-related stimulus negotiations and, perhaps, higher-than-expected PPI, CPI and wage inflation numbers may have limited stock market gains. The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved higher all through the week, reacting to corporate and government supply pressures, higher-than-expected inflation numbers and strong U.S. economic reports. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index increased 0.6% to 3,372.85, the Nasdaq Composite index increased 0.1% to 11,019.30, the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 14 bps to 71 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) weakened 0.4%.
Against a backdrop of better-than-expected economic reports and earning results and indications new Covid-19 cases may be falling, U.S. stock markets all moved higher again last week despite concerns over increased U.S.-China frictions and stalled congressional progess on additional coronavirus relief funds. Better-than-expected factory orders and ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing index numbers combined with lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims and a stronger-than-expected payroll report helped move U.S. equity markets higher. Earning results reported last week were predominantly positive also helping move equity markets higher. Early-in-the-week optimism that congress would reach agreement on additional coronavirus-related relief funds faded as the week ended with no progress, but was slightly ameliorated with the Trump administration announcing the President may take executive action to extend existing programs. Both the U.S. dollar and the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved off their lows reached earlier in the week on stronger-than-expected economic reports and signs the number of new Covid-19 cases may be decreasing. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite index each increased 2.5% to 3,351.28 and 11,010.98, respectively. the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 4 bps to 57 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) was unchanged.
Topic: Gold , Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commodities & Precious Metals Weekly Report: Aug 07
10 August, 2020 | Jeff Klearman
Against a backdrop of better-than-expected economic reports and earning results and indications new Covid-19 cases may be falling, U.S. stock markets all moved higher again last week despite concerns over increased U.S.-China frictions and stalled congressional progess on additional coronavirus relief funds. Better-than-expected factory orders and ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing index numbers combined with lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims and a stronger-than-expected payroll report helped move U.S. equity markets higher. Earning results reported last week were predominantly positive also helping move equity markets higher. Early-in-the-week optimism that congress would reach agreement on additional coronavirus-related relief funds faded as the week ended with no progress, but was slightly ameliorated with the Trump administration announcing the President may take executive action to extend existing programs. Both the U.S. dollar and the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved off their lows reached earlier in the week on stronger-than-expected economic reports and signs the number of new Covid-19 cases may be decreasing. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite index each increased 2.5% to 3,351.28 and 11,010.98, respectively. the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 4 bps to 57 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) was unchanged.
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending May 3, 2024)
06 May, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 26, 2024)
26 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 19, 2024)
22 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
Copper prices moved higher again last week finding support from a resilient U.S. economy, stronger-than-expected German industrial production and hopes of growing Chinese demand amidst production cutbacks. Price gains, however, were capped by a significantly stronger U.S. dollar resulting from lowered U.S. rate-cut expectations.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 12, 2024)
15 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Copper prices moved higher again last week finding support from a resilient U.S. economy, stronger-than-expected German industrial production and hopes of growing Chinese demand amidst production cutbacks. Price gains, however, were capped by a significantly stronger U.S. dollar resulting from lowered U.S. rate-cut expectations.
Spot gold prices moved markedly higher last week, buoyed by central bank and haven demand (resulting primarily from Increased Israel-Iran tensions and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict) and despite increased uncertainty regarding Fed rate cuts following hawkish fed officials’ comments and strong U.S. economic data.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 5, 2024)
08 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Spot gold prices moved markedly higher last week, buoyed by central bank and haven demand (resulting primarily from Increased Israel-Iran tensions and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict) and despite increased uncertainty regarding Fed rate cuts following hawkish fed officials’ comments and strong U.S. economic data.
The unfortunate reality is that a deep chasm stands between investor income requirements and what conventional strategies can now yield. Alternative Income may help bridge the divide.
Topic: Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Income Blueprint: HIPS Income Replacement
13 October, 2020 | GraniteShares
The unfortunate reality is that a deep chasm stands between investor income requirements and what conventional strategies can now yield. Alternative Income may help bridge the divide.
Income is one of the most basic, yet important needs of any portfolio—the capacity to generate enduring cashflows to fund expenses. While searching for sustainable yield is never easy, over the last decade income investing become a most unpalatable cocktail — one part frustration and two parts despair (add bitters to taste). These were the difficulties that pervaded income investing before COVID-19 struck, an economic shock that redoubled the income challenge to near unimaginable levels.
Topic: Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Crafting Your Income Blueprint: Strategies with HIPS
10 September, 2020 | GraniteShares
Income is one of the most basic, yet important needs of any portfolio—the capacity to generate enduring cashflows to fund expenses. While searching for sustainable yield is never easy, over the last decade income investing become a most unpalatable cocktail — one part frustration and two parts despair (add bitters to taste). These were the difficulties that pervaded income investing before COVID-19 struck, an economic shock that redoubled the income challenge to near unimaginable levels.
Mental accounting is a truly defining feature of the human condition. Find out how much of your income is mental, and how it may prevent you from acheiving your true income goals.
Topic: Alternative Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Overcoming Investing Fallacies, GraniteShares Perspective
27 March, 2020 | GraniteShares
Mental accounting is a truly defining feature of the human condition. Find out how much of your income is mental, and how it may prevent you from acheiving your true income goals.
If you thought achieving income yields was difficult, life will only get harder—the Fed that giveth can taketh away. Just as investors were getting accustomed to the taste of at least modestly non-zero rates, expectations have shifted swiftly.
Topic: Alternative Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Help! What Happened to My Income?
27 March, 2020 | GraniteShares
If you thought achieving income yields was difficult, life will only get harder—the Fed that giveth can taketh away. Just as investors were getting accustomed to the taste of at least modestly non-zero rates, expectations have shifted swiftly.
While generating sustainable yield for income investing has never been an easy task, the latest shockwaves to reverberate through interest rate markets have only compounded this challenge. The core of this problem for investors, whether retirees, long-term savers, or anyone looking to diversify their returns, is they are probably looking for yield in all the wrong places.
Topic: Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Seeking Yield: Finding 7% Income in Today’s Market
27 March, 2020 | GraniteShares
While generating sustainable yield for income investing has never been an easy task, the latest shockwaves to reverberate through interest rate markets have only compounded this challenge. The core of this problem for investors, whether retirees, long-term savers, or anyone looking to diversify their returns, is they are probably looking for yield in all the wrong places.
When no company or industry is immune from disruptive challenge, perhaps never has the number of potential losers been so plentiful, nor the disparity between winners and losers been so vast. Rather than succumb to conventional wisdom, perhaps the only thing more important than what you put IN your portfolio is what you XOUT.
Topic: XOUT
Publication Type: Investment Cases
How Many Losers Are in the S&P 500?
17 August, 2020 | GraniteShares
When no company or industry is immune from disruptive challenge, perhaps never has the number of potential losers been so plentiful, nor the disparity between winners and losers been so vast. Rather than succumb to conventional wisdom, perhaps the only thing more important than what you put IN your portfolio is what you XOUT.
On November 19th, Microsoft (MSFT) is scheduled to release Flight Simulator 2024, the latest version of its popular flight simulation game for Xbox. Among the upgrades expected to be included in the latest version are more advanced missions, improved graphics & game play environments and enhanced multi-player capabilities. This is one of the company’s most highly anticipated game releases and should appeal to both flight enthusiasts and general gamers alike.
Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 Set to Boost Multiple Divisions
04 November, 2024 | GraniteShares
On November 19th, Microsoft (MSFT) is scheduled to release Flight Simulator 2024, the latest version of its popular flight simulation game for Xbox. Among the upgrades expected to be included in the latest version are more advanced missions, improved graphics & game play environments and enhanced multi-player capabilities. This is one of the company’s most highly anticipated game releases and should appeal to both flight enthusiasts and general gamers alike.
NVIDIA Corporation, a global leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, is set to announce its first-quarter earnings, a highly anticipated event in the tech sector. As a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry, NVIDIA's performance often serves as a barometer for the broader market, influencing investor sentiment and industry trends.
Topic: Equity , Leveraged Single Stocks
Publication Type: Investment Cases , Articles
What to Know Ahead of NVIDIA's Q1 Earnings
21 May, 2024 | GraniteShares
NVIDIA Corporation, a global leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, is set to announce its first-quarter earnings, a highly anticipated event in the tech sector. As a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry, NVIDIA's performance often serves as a barometer for the broader market, influencing investor sentiment and industry trends.
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending May 3, 2024)
06 May, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 26, 2024)
26 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 19, 2024)
22 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
Gold is often though of as a hedge against inflation. With inflation reaching 40-year highs, some analysts may have expected gold to perform well. However, after a strong start of the year, mostly attributed to its role as safe-haven asset at the start of the Ukrainian war, the gold price retreated to its pre-covid 19 level. As of November 08, 2022, the price of gold is down 6.4% year to date (source Bloomberg).
Topic: Gold
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Gold Market Sentiments for the Entire Year
21 November, 2022 | GraniteShares
Gold is often though of as a hedge against inflation. With inflation reaching 40-year highs, some analysts may have expected gold to perform well. However, after a strong start of the year, mostly attributed to its role as safe-haven asset at the start of the Ukrainian war, the gold price retreated to its pre-covid 19 level. As of November 08, 2022, the price of gold is down 6.4% year to date (source Bloomberg).
The current economic tumult recatalyzes the classic, three-fold case for gold, namely asset stability, diversification and vulnerability of the dollar in the new Fed paradigm. This investment case explores the critical dynamics that have propelled gold to new record highs above $2,000/oz, and how the asset's unique status combining characteristics of a commodity and a currency lend gold unique value as the global economy attempts a reset from the COVID-19 tumult.
Topic: Gold
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Gold's Investment Case: New Record Highs
03 September, 2020 | GraniteShares
The current economic tumult recatalyzes the classic, three-fold case for gold, namely asset stability, diversification and vulnerability of the dollar in the new Fed paradigm. This investment case explores the critical dynamics that have propelled gold to new record highs above $2,000/oz, and how the asset's unique status combining characteristics of a commodity and a currency lend gold unique value as the global economy attempts a reset from the COVID-19 tumult.
For decades, the 60/40 portfolio—comprising 60% stocks and 40% bonds—has been the cornerstone of traditional investment strategies. It offers a balanced approach, with stocks providing growth potential and bonds acting as a stabilizing force through income generation and reduced volatility. This mix has historically delivered reliable, risk-adjusted returns, making it a go-to strategy for long-term investors seeking growth while managing downside risk.
Topic: Gold
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Sharpe Up Your Portfolio: Enhancing 60/40 with Gold
02 September, 2020 | GraniteShares
For decades, the 60/40 portfolio—comprising 60% stocks and 40% bonds—has been the cornerstone of traditional investment strategies. It offers a balanced approach, with stocks providing growth potential and bonds acting as a stabilizing force through income generation and reduced volatility. This mix has historically delivered reliable, risk-adjusted returns, making it a go-to strategy for long-term investors seeking growth while managing downside risk.
A somewhat choppy week for U.S. stock markets with the S&P 500 Index striving for but not reaching record highs on Wednesday. Despite stronger-than-expected U.S. economic reports (including lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims, strong retail sales and industrial production reports) and a falling number of new Covid-19 cases and deaths, U.S. stock markets struggled to move higher last week. Concerns surrounding the legality of President Trump’s executive orders combined with still-stalled congressional coronavirus-related stimulus negotiations and, perhaps, higher-than-expected PPI, CPI and wage inflation numbers may have limited stock market gains. The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved higher all through the week, reacting to corporate and government supply pressures, higher-than-expected inflation numbers and strong U.S. economic reports. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index increased 0.6% to 3,372.85, the Nasdaq Composite index increased 0.1% to 11,019.30, the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 14 bps to 71 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) weakened 0.4%.
Topic: Gold , Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commodities & Precious Metals Weekly Report: Aug 14
17 August, 2020 | Jeff Klearman
A somewhat choppy week for U.S. stock markets with the S&P 500 Index striving for but not reaching record highs on Wednesday. Despite stronger-than-expected U.S. economic reports (including lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims, strong retail sales and industrial production reports) and a falling number of new Covid-19 cases and deaths, U.S. stock markets struggled to move higher last week. Concerns surrounding the legality of President Trump’s executive orders combined with still-stalled congressional coronavirus-related stimulus negotiations and, perhaps, higher-than-expected PPI, CPI and wage inflation numbers may have limited stock market gains. The 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved higher all through the week, reacting to corporate and government supply pressures, higher-than-expected inflation numbers and strong U.S. economic reports. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index increased 0.6% to 3,372.85, the Nasdaq Composite index increased 0.1% to 11,019.30, the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 14 bps to 71 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) weakened 0.4%.
Against a backdrop of better-than-expected economic reports and earning results and indications new Covid-19 cases may be falling, U.S. stock markets all moved higher again last week despite concerns over increased U.S.-China frictions and stalled congressional progess on additional coronavirus relief funds. Better-than-expected factory orders and ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing index numbers combined with lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims and a stronger-than-expected payroll report helped move U.S. equity markets higher. Earning results reported last week were predominantly positive also helping move equity markets higher. Early-in-the-week optimism that congress would reach agreement on additional coronavirus-related relief funds faded as the week ended with no progress, but was slightly ameliorated with the Trump administration announcing the President may take executive action to extend existing programs. Both the U.S. dollar and the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved off their lows reached earlier in the week on stronger-than-expected economic reports and signs the number of new Covid-19 cases may be decreasing. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite index each increased 2.5% to 3,351.28 and 11,010.98, respectively. the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 4 bps to 57 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) was unchanged.
Topic: Gold , Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commodities & Precious Metals Weekly Report: Aug 07
10 August, 2020 | Jeff Klearman
Against a backdrop of better-than-expected economic reports and earning results and indications new Covid-19 cases may be falling, U.S. stock markets all moved higher again last week despite concerns over increased U.S.-China frictions and stalled congressional progess on additional coronavirus relief funds. Better-than-expected factory orders and ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing index numbers combined with lower-than-expected weekly jobless claims and a stronger-than-expected payroll report helped move U.S. equity markets higher. Earning results reported last week were predominantly positive also helping move equity markets higher. Early-in-the-week optimism that congress would reach agreement on additional coronavirus-related relief funds faded as the week ended with no progress, but was slightly ameliorated with the Trump administration announcing the President may take executive action to extend existing programs. Both the U.S. dollar and the 10-year U.S. Treasury rate moved off their lows reached earlier in the week on stronger-than-expected economic reports and signs the number of new Covid-19 cases may be decreasing. At week’s end the S&P 500 Index and Nasdaq Composite index each increased 2.5% to 3,351.28 and 11,010.98, respectively. the 10-year U.S. interest rate increased 4 bps to 57 bps and the U.S. dollar (as measured by the ICE U.S. Dollar index - DXY) was unchanged.
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending May 3, 2024)
06 May, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Oil prices moved markedly lower suffering from a much larger-than-expected build in U.S. inventories, larger-than-expected increase in gasoline inventories, declining heating oil demand and growing U.S. production. Diminished Mideast tensions also contributed to lower prices while Friday’s weaker-than-expected payroll report seemed to have little effect on prices.
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 26, 2024)
26 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Grain prices moved higher with wheat prices increasing the most. Wheat prices benefited from European frost damage to crops, adverse Ukraine and Russia weather forecasts and on Russia attacks on Ukraine grain infrastructure. Prices also benefited from adverse weather forecasts for Southwestern Plains states. Corn and soybean prices moved higher with wheat prices and benefited, to some extent, from a stronger Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 19, 2024)
22 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Copper and other base metal prices moved sharply higher last week, buoyed by U.S. and UK sanctions on Russian metals (the sanctions prevent delivery of Russian metal to the LME), increased expectations of a copper deficit and signs of China economic growth. Aluminum and nickel prices, directly affected by the U.S. and UK sanctions, increased the most, followed by copper prices.
Copper prices moved higher again last week finding support from a resilient U.S. economy, stronger-than-expected German industrial production and hopes of growing Chinese demand amidst production cutbacks. Price gains, however, were capped by a significantly stronger U.S. dollar resulting from lowered U.S. rate-cut expectations.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 12, 2024)
15 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Copper prices moved higher again last week finding support from a resilient U.S. economy, stronger-than-expected German industrial production and hopes of growing Chinese demand amidst production cutbacks. Price gains, however, were capped by a significantly stronger U.S. dollar resulting from lowered U.S. rate-cut expectations.
Spot gold prices moved markedly higher last week, buoyed by central bank and haven demand (resulting primarily from Increased Israel-Iran tensions and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict) and despite increased uncertainty regarding Fed rate cuts following hawkish fed officials’ comments and strong U.S. economic data.
Topic: Commodities
Publication Type: Market Commentaries
Commoditized Wisdom: Report (Week Ending April 5, 2024)
08 April, 2024 | Jeff Klearman
Spot gold prices moved markedly higher last week, buoyed by central bank and haven demand (resulting primarily from Increased Israel-Iran tensions and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict) and despite increased uncertainty regarding Fed rate cuts following hawkish fed officials’ comments and strong U.S. economic data.
The unfortunate reality is that a deep chasm stands between investor income requirements and what conventional strategies can now yield. Alternative Income may help bridge the divide.
Topic: Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Income Blueprint: HIPS Income Replacement
13 October, 2020 | GraniteShares
The unfortunate reality is that a deep chasm stands between investor income requirements and what conventional strategies can now yield. Alternative Income may help bridge the divide.
Income is one of the most basic, yet important needs of any portfolio—the capacity to generate enduring cashflows to fund expenses. While searching for sustainable yield is never easy, over the last decade income investing become a most unpalatable cocktail — one part frustration and two parts despair (add bitters to taste). These were the difficulties that pervaded income investing before COVID-19 struck, an economic shock that redoubled the income challenge to near unimaginable levels.
Topic: Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Crafting Your Income Blueprint: Strategies with HIPS
10 September, 2020 | GraniteShares
Income is one of the most basic, yet important needs of any portfolio—the capacity to generate enduring cashflows to fund expenses. While searching for sustainable yield is never easy, over the last decade income investing become a most unpalatable cocktail — one part frustration and two parts despair (add bitters to taste). These were the difficulties that pervaded income investing before COVID-19 struck, an economic shock that redoubled the income challenge to near unimaginable levels.
Mental accounting is a truly defining feature of the human condition. Find out how much of your income is mental, and how it may prevent you from acheiving your true income goals.
Topic: Alternative Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Overcoming Investing Fallacies, GraniteShares Perspective
27 March, 2020 | GraniteShares
Mental accounting is a truly defining feature of the human condition. Find out how much of your income is mental, and how it may prevent you from acheiving your true income goals.
If you thought achieving income yields was difficult, life will only get harder—the Fed that giveth can taketh away. Just as investors were getting accustomed to the taste of at least modestly non-zero rates, expectations have shifted swiftly.
Topic: Alternative Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Help! What Happened to My Income?
27 March, 2020 | GraniteShares
If you thought achieving income yields was difficult, life will only get harder—the Fed that giveth can taketh away. Just as investors were getting accustomed to the taste of at least modestly non-zero rates, expectations have shifted swiftly.
While generating sustainable yield for income investing has never been an easy task, the latest shockwaves to reverberate through interest rate markets have only compounded this challenge. The core of this problem for investors, whether retirees, long-term savers, or anyone looking to diversify their returns, is they are probably looking for yield in all the wrong places.
Topic: Income
Publication Type: Investment Cases
Seeking Yield: Finding 7% Income in Today’s Market
27 March, 2020 | GraniteShares
While generating sustainable yield for income investing has never been an easy task, the latest shockwaves to reverberate through interest rate markets have only compounded this challenge. The core of this problem for investors, whether retirees, long-term savers, or anyone looking to diversify their returns, is they are probably looking for yield in all the wrong places.
When no company or industry is immune from disruptive challenge, perhaps never has the number of potential losers been so plentiful, nor the disparity between winners and losers been so vast. Rather than succumb to conventional wisdom, perhaps the only thing more important than what you put IN your portfolio is what you XOUT.
Topic: XOUT
Publication Type: Investment Cases
How Many Losers Are in the S&P 500?
17 August, 2020 | GraniteShares
When no company or industry is immune from disruptive challenge, perhaps never has the number of potential losers been so plentiful, nor the disparity between winners and losers been so vast. Rather than succumb to conventional wisdom, perhaps the only thing more important than what you put IN your portfolio is what you XOUT.
