INVESTMENTS LEARNING CENTER
MONTHLY INVESTMENT OUTLOOK | Latest Economic Updates
Each month our investment team develops an outlook based on changes in the markets and economic environment, as well as the events that have taken place the prior month. To stay up-to-date on the current state of the market and investment information, download our latest Monthly Investment Outlook by clicking the link below.

Investment Commentary | A Monthly Investment Update
In a constantly evolving economy, staying informed is key. Each month, our investment team at Central Trust Company provides valuable insights, helping you deepen your understanding of market trends, economic changes, and emerging investment opportunities.
RECENT INVESTMENT INSIGHTS | Our Thoughts on the Markets and Portfolio Implications
Innovation in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy is reshaping the economy. Understanding these trends helps investors identify opportunities and manage risk with confidence.
U.S. stocks hit record highs in July before momentum faded amid rising inflation and tariff concerns. Explore key market movers, Fed policy debates, and why precious metals continue to shine.
The Federal Reserve plays a central role in the U.S. economy through interest rate policy, inflation management, and market influence, while its independence from government ensures credibility and long-term stability.
June marked a second consecutive month of market gains as tech stocks led the rally, inflation cooled, and the Fed signaled a potential shift in policy.
May saw markets rebound as tech and consumer stocks surged, offsetting bond losses and debt concerns. International equities outpaced U.S. gains, while gold cooled but remained a top performer.
April brought renewed market swings as tariffs and tumbling oil prices rattled investors. While energy lagged, tech and international stocks helped offset broader weakness, with gold gaining on safe-haven demand.
Value vs. growth investing explained through the lens of the P/E ratio, highlighting core differences, common risks, and how a fundamentals-driven, balanced portfolio can support long-term financial goals.
Markets declined sharply in March as rising tariffs, inflation concerns, and global unrest fueled widespread volatility. Investors turned defensive, with energy and precious metals leading performance amid heightened caution.
Recent headlines regarding tariffs have captured significant attention and financial markets have responded decisively to these announcements.
Fair value goes beyond market price and is often determined using key valuation metrics like P/E ratio, ROE, and DCF, along with factors like growth potential and investor sentiment.
In times of market uncertainty, it is natural to feel uneasy about your investments. As…
February brought market volatility as trade tensions, layoffs, and inflation concerns grew. Some sectors held strong, but uncertainty looms. Is stagflation ahead?
January kicked off 2025 with market highs, AI-driven volatility, and rising tariff tensions. While investors navigated uncertainty, strong earnings and safe-haven demand shaped the month’s outlook.
December brought a rocky close to 2024, with markets facing challenges but maintaining resilience. Optimism around AI advancements, rate cuts, and election outcomes kept investors focused on opportunities ahead.
Teach the value of saving, investing, and financial planning. Honor your family's financial legacy by giving the gift of financial literacy!
November brought plenty for investors to celebrate, with strong S&P 500 gains driven by Fed rate cuts and election outcomes.
Understand how Federal Reserve rate cuts impact stocks, bonds, and gold, and learn how historical trends can guide investment strategies during monetary easing.
October markets started strong but ended with volatility driven by AI concerns, small-cap losses, and global pressures, while precious metals held steady.
Discover why working with a financial advisor can enhance your long-term returns, improve asset allocation, reduce emotional investing mistakes, and help secure your financial future.
September brought market resilience amid volatility, with the S&P 500 rising and emerging markets outperforming, driven by economic shifts and global events.
August's market volatility, driven by tech stock concerns and economic uncertainty, has investors bracing for rate cuts and geopolitical risks ahead of election season.
Discover how the Tortoise and the Hare fable reveals the critical importance of diversification in building and preserving long-term wealth.
Amid global focus on the Paris Olympic Games, July saw the S&P 500's positive returns for the third consecutive month, despite economic challenges and market volatility.
Remember when China was the growth engine of the world? For decades the question wasn’t if, but when the Chinese economy would surpass the US. But, is China's economic miracle over?
Thinking of rolling over your 401(k) or IRA? Discover the crucial IRS rules and deadlines you need to know to avoid hefty taxes and penalties.
Learn how the SEC's move to a T+1 settlement cycle impacts your investments, enhances market efficiency, reduces risk, and improves liquidity. Stay informed on the benefits and implications for your portfolio management and cash flow.
The Magnificent Seven has been discussed extensively in investing circles. But what are the risks, particularly for the companies that have been leading the market to all-time highs?
While elections can certainly be an emotional time, they are not the time to make drastic investment decisions based solely on election outcomes.
Effective investment strategies tailored to various life stages help ensure you mitigate the impact of sequence-of-returns risk. Safeguard your portfolio and financial well-being effectively during the transition from wealth accumulation to retirement.
Oil makes the world go around, or at least helps vehicles that go around the world. The oil market has always been as volatile as it has been important to economies across the globe.
Explore the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on investing and how it can be a valuable tool for informed decision-making.
AI has become a disruptive force in the economy, raising questions about its impact on society. While AI has shown great promise in boosting stock returns, it also poses challenges concerning job losses, disinformation, and ethical considerations.
Fall is in the air, and the US stock market has taken its cue, with the S&P 500 index posting the worst month this year, falling 4.77%. Bonds were not much better, falling 2.54% for the month.
In the heat of summer, returns across both stocks and bonds were decidedly cold. The main driver of underperformance for the month was expectations of the future path of interest rates.
Generate income for your portfolio by utilizing effective portfolio income methods like Tax-Loss Harvesting and Covered Call Writing. Learn how these methods work and how to implement them to optimize your earning potential.
June continued a run of surprising stock market returns for 2023. One month does not make a trend, but it's comforting to see stocks perform positively.
Each quarter, our investment team provides details on the market and economy, bringing you the latest insights in an easy to follow video.
There has been a lot of discussion over the past several years regarding cryptocurrency. If you feel like the whole idea of cryptocurrency is hard to understand, you are not alone.
Many of us understand and recognize inflation. What we don’t know is how high it will go or how long it will last.
Investing is, and will always be, a balancing act between “eating well" and "sleeping well”.
by Greg Berg, CFA, CAIA, MBA, Senior Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager INVESTMENT OUTLOOK Global…
Join our investment team for a look at our insights into the markets and the economy for the first quarter of 2021.
Navigating the financial industry can be daunting. More so for someone that may not have experience in the industry or be aware of the multiple service delivery models that are available.
Variable annuities can be difficult for clients, and even some financial professionals, to fully understand.
With so many changes in the financial markets, it’s a good time to evaluate your investments.
In the latest edition of The Central View, our investment team dives into their thoughts on the economy, valuations, the upcoming election and our portfolio positioning as we navigate through Q3 2020.
Join our investment team for look at this quarter's insights into the markets and the economy.
Join our investment team for a look at this quarter's insights into the markets and the economy.
While your chance of winning the lottery is extremely small, the challenges associated with managing a large influx of money are actually quite common.
Join our investment team for a look at this quarter's insights into the markets and the economy.
Market volatility can lead some investors to make quick decisions that can ultimately harm their long-term investing goals. It's important to know if you are investing with your emotions or remaining objective.
Join our investment team for a look at this quarter's insights into the markets and the economy.
Join us for a look at this quarter's insights into the markets and the economy.
By Greg Berg, CFA, CAIA - Senior Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager After an…