Research & News
Bi-Weekly Geopolitical Report – The Great COVID Labor Reform (May 20, 2024)
by Patrick Fearon-Hernandez, CFA | PDF The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is now starting to fade from memory. Four years after the sudden outbreak of the disease sparked mass economic shutdowns, mask wearing, and millions of deaths, it’s tempting to think the crisis is becoming just another episode of history. However, the pandemic clearly led… Read More »
Asset Allocation Bi-Weekly – The Immigration Paradox (May 13, 2024)
by the Asset Allocation Committee | PDF Throughout history, immigration has been a politically charged issue, creating a rift between capital and labor. Employers have advocated for looser immigration policies to fill job vacancies, particularly for positions that don’t offer high pay. Conversely, labor unions often push for stricter policies to prevent an influx of… Read More »
Bi-Weekly Geopolitical Report – Middle East: Land of Fault Lines (May 6, 2024)
by Daniel Ortwerth, CFA | PDF Conflict in the Middle East is one of the most persistent themes in current events. Not only is this true today, but Middle Eastern discord has dominated the news flow throughout most of our lives. At Confluence, we recognize that this enduring pattern of strife reveals the presence of… Read More »
Asset Allocation Bi-Weekly – The Peace Dividend, Government Debt, and Yield Curve Control (April 29, 2024)
by the Asset Allocation Committee | PDF Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently castigated the European governments that slashed their defense spending at the end of the Cold War and then remained far too complacent about the growing threat from Russia in recent years. According to Frederiksen, hiking their defense budgets as is now necessary… Read More »
Asset Allocation Quarterly (Second Quarter 2024)
by the Asset Allocation Committee | PDF Our forecast does not include a recession during the three-year period. The US economy is expected to be relatively strong throughout the forecast period. We expect heightened geopolitical tensions to persist as the deglobalization trend continues. Inflation is likely to remain higher due to structural forces such as… Read More »