Jeff Sommer

Market sectors sometimes move when the political winds shift, but trading is hazardous for your financial health, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Traders appear to be focused on possible Fed rate cuts and corporate earnings, and are remarkably indifferent to political fortunes, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Stocks prospered in the first half of 2024 but national politics clouds the outlook.

By Jeff Sommer

After years of horrendous returns, core bonds were beginning to look like attractive, ho-hum investments. Then the debate happened.

By Jeff Sommer

With one big caveat, our columnist says most people are likely to be better off if they forget about politics when it comes to investing for the long haul.

By Jeff Sommer

The S&P 500 has been buoyant mainly because of A.I. fever, while bonds are having another mediocre year. But as an investor, our columnist is staying the course.

By Jeff Sommer

With new executive pay disclosures, the big picture is still riches at the top and lagging wages for most of the rank-and-file, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

A small tax increase would make the essential national retirement program secure for decades, our columnist says, but lawmakers would have to take action.

By Jeff Sommer

The prospects for future commerce, and peace, are intertwined, our columnist writes.

By Jeff Sommer

U.S. residents can still gamble on the presidential race — but regulators are trying to stop the practice.

By Jeff Sommer

Using index funds to make bets on these key categories is hazardous, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The Federal Reserve is shedding assets at a glacial pace, exposing the financial system to continuing risks, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Strong reactions to rising prices and misunderstandings about the value of money are rampant, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Euphoria has been replaced by a much more somber mood, changing the value calculations in a host of markets, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Prediction markets say former President Donald J. Trump has a good chance of winning. So far, the stock market is fine with that.

By Jeff Sommer

Robert Shiller, the Nobel laureate, says valuations adjusted for high inflation suggest stock returns for the next decade are likely to be modest.

By Jeff Sommer

The latest enticing lottery prizes are the product of misleading advertising and high interest rates, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

On Wall Street, excitement about A.I. outweighs concern about interest rates. But rocketing stocks could make it tough for the Federal Reserve to cut rates.

By Jeff Sommer

A.I. fervor has rocketed the chip company’s share price upward. Our columnist asked A.I. chatbots how big Nvidia would become if it kept growing as fast as it had over the past year.

By Jeff Sommer

Underlying economic and market factors mattered in previous presidential rematches. They may help President Biden, even if polls aren’t showing that so far.

By Jeff Sommer

Important regulations expire at the end of next year, thwarting tax planning and creating a monumental fiscal challenge for Congress.

By Jeff Sommer

BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard have opened up voting on environmental, social and management issues. It’s not true shareholder democracy, but it’s progress.

By Jeff Sommer

Most active fund managers beat the market at the start of the year. But history suggests that they’re not likely to keep doing so for long.

By Jeff Sommer

The company has stopped making contributions to 401(k) accounts, and instead gives workers cash credits in a new version of its old pension plan.

By Jeff Sommer

Vague comments about possible future rate cuts were all that central bankers gave the markets. Patience will be difficult at this tricky moment, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Compound returns that grow as stocks rise over the decades are far more important than the latest high, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Fear of missing out isn’t a great reason for investing in the new Bitcoin funds, our columnist says. Plus, Bitcoin may already be hidden in your portfolio.

By Jeff Sommer

The stock market’s long-term path has been persistently upward, our columnist says, but there have been plenty of setbacks and it’s wise to prepare for more.

By Jeff Sommer

So-called stock forecasts don’t deserve the name, our columnist says. Wall Street’s track record is horrendous.

By Jeff Sommer

Stock and bond markets have been rallying in anticipation of Federal Reserve rate cuts. But don’t get swept away just yet, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Investors who want to lock in safe income may be hurt over the long haul if they don’t also hold stocks, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The storm over the so-called 60/40 investment portfolio misses the point, our columnist says. The key issue is diversifying your portfolio, and that is as important as ever.

By Jeff Sommer

There’s new evidence that market timing doesn’t work. Your odds of success are better if you just hang on and aim for average returns, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The state of the economy will affect voting next November, and the Federal Reserve may find itself in a delicate position, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

While two leading prediction markets are fighting regulatory restrictions in court, wagers on politics and economics are still being made.

By Jeff Sommer

The market is focused on making money now and isn’t heeding urgent warnings about climate change, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Soaring interest rates have the power to alter the direction of the economy and command the attention of Washington, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Back in 1994, bonds with fabulous yields were there for the taking. Our columnist doesn’t see treasures like that now, but there are solid buys.

By Jeff Sommer

As interest rates rose over the past few years, bond prices plummeted, making high-quality bonds more attractive, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Most people have lost money in the markets over the last several months, but people who have held on have prospered, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Treasury rates and oil and gasoline prices have been increasing, putting the Fed in a difficult spot, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The U.S. currency has been on a tear, and the Fed’s decision to keep interest rates steady is likely to keep the dollar “higher for longer,” our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Stocks are mired in a holding pattern. The big question, our columnist says, is when will the Federal Reserve start to cut interest rates?

By Jeff Sommer

After a fierce rally largely propelled by a handful of tech stocks, the market’s rapid climb stalled in August. That setback could ultimately be a good thing, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The prospects for a soft landing for the economy and the markets look better than they have in months. Our columnist is still worried.

By Jeff Sommer

Even after the latest U.S. debt downgrade, bonds remain the steadier counterpart to the flamboyant stock market, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Attracted by promises of high returns, many public pension funds have been loading up on private equity but may not fully appreciate the dangers, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Lowering inflation to 2 percent without causing a recession and throwing people out of work would be a rare achievement. The markets are acting as if it has already happened.

By Jeff Sommer

While stocks, bonds and money market funds have generated positive returns for the year, a quirk in the calendar is creating deceptively strong performances.

By Jeff Sommer

Devastated at the height of the pandemic, cruise lines have become top performers.

By Jeff Sommer

C.E.O. pay has risen again, reaching levels that were unthinkable a generation ago. Google, Hertz, Peloton and Live Nation lead the list.

By Jeff Sommer

At the moment, money market funds and many bonds are not only less risky, but at current interest rates, they are compelling.

By Jeff Sommer

Stocks still haven’t returned to their last peak, and our columnist is in the camp that says this isn’t a bull market yet. But he’s buying stock anyway.

By Jeff Sommer

The former Fed chairman shared his thoughts with our columnist.

By Jeff Sommer

Treasuries have been threatened by a possible U.S. debt default, yet they remain more attractive than just about everything else, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

A host of issues face the markets, beyond the prospect of a possible default on U.S. debt. Hedge your bets and ride it out, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The odds of a U.S. default are low, but the consequences could be dire. Our columnist explains how financial markets are assessing the risks.

By Jeff Sommer

Short-term costs for insuring U.S. bonds are skyrocketing, and the long-term effects of repeated flirtations with debt default are already a burden, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Economic downturns are rough on stocks, but history shows that handsome returns can pile up anyway if you stick with it, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The funds are paying enticing interest rates right now. But the debt ceiling and signs of weakness in the banking system are worrisome, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

In 2022, conditions were heavily in stock pickers’ favor, but most trailed the market. This year looks worse, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

A hard landing? A banana? Euphemisms for recession have a long history in Washington. Whatever the Fed is stating, it seems to be expecting something ugly, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

In its fight against inflation, the Federal Reserve has contributed to the bank failures and economic instability that it is now trying to fix, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

After raising interest rates again, the Federal Reserve will soon have to consider how much pain it is willing to inflict in its fight against inflation, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

By quietly shedding billions in assets, the Fed is making conditions tighter for banks, home buyers and investors, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The central bank’s success or failure will affect your wallet and, maybe, the next election, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Lawmakers are trying to restrict these investment choices in workplace retirement plans, but big fund managers are trying to give shareholders a voice.

By Jeff Sommer

You can still put money in an I.R.A. for 2022, and that’s better than not investing at all. But an early start would have given you a great advantage, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Exuberance in financial markets is likely to only strengthen the Federal Reserve’s resolve and shake up those very markets, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

While markets are predicting that inflation will fall further, savings rates still aren’t keeping up with the prices we’re paying.

By Jeff Sommer

With the exception of Apple, eight tech giants are no longer “pure growth” stocks, while Exxon and Chevron are, a new study says. Our columnist says: Buyer, beware.

By Jeff Sommer

When you invest and where matters for taxes. But a few rules of thumb can stave off some nasty surprises, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The risk of a federal debt ceiling breach later this year has increased. Steel yourself for trouble, our columnist writes. But remember: This, too, shall pass.

By Jeff Sommer

Cut back on stock and bond holdings, and focus on money market funds, C.D.s, Treasury bills and other options that are now offering high yields, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Wall Street’s market forecasts for 2023 are worthless, our columnist says. But the long view is much clearer.

By Jeff Sommer

October capped their worst 12-month period ever, and the economy is under pressure. Yet the fundamental math of bond returns bodes well for 2023, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

No actively managed stock or bond funds outperformed the market convincingly and regularly over the last five years. Index funds have generally been better.

By Jeff Sommer

Stocks like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple have suffered staggering losses this year. But is this a good time to buy? Maybe, if you’re in it for the long term, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

After flying under the radar as academic experiments, the markets are facing close regulatory scrutiny. But they are worth preserving, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

With worries about the economy rising, the four-year presidential cycle for stocks may not follow the established pattern.

By Jeff Sommer

Recessions come in many varieties. Any would bring pain, but if history is a guide, stocks and bonds are likely to rise eventually, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Automatically adjusted lifetime income is rare and worth protecting, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

While a dollar doesn’t buy much in the United States, our columnist writes, the currency’s international strength has been on display — in ways that aren’t entirely beneficial.

By Jeff Sommer

This has been the most devastating time for bonds since at least 1926, and maybe in centuries. But, our columnist writes, much of the damage is already behind us.

By Jeff Sommer

Fed rate increases are causing pain now. But an inside look at the Volcker era shows that conditions were far worse when the Fed tried different tacks to tame inflation.

By Jeff Sommer

The rout in the stock and bond markets has been especially rough on people paying for college, retirement or a new home. Our columnist has some advice.

By Jeff Sommer

Maintaining the flow of oil is still crucial for the world economy. But now the supply of semiconductors is also critical for commerce, and war and peace.

By Jeff Sommer

The bear market endures, yet the S&P 500 index rose more than 17 percent from mid-June to mid-August. Don’t even try to guess what will happen next, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The overturning of political norms is testing the limits of an established and generally dependable forecasting model that relies solely on economics.

By Jeff Sommer

Companies have been criticized for the vast sums they are sending investors. Some of that money could be put to better use but for the most part, our columnist says, bring it on.

By Jeff Sommer

When inflation was soaring 40 years ago and the economy slowed, short-term investing was perilous. But people with patience and long horizons came out fine.

By Jeff Sommer

Rates are rising, inflation is nasty and a painful recession is certainly possible. But there are steps you can take now, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

Amid rising inflation and the threat of recession, corporate earnings are coming under pressure.

By Jeff Sommer

While the news may indicate that the markets and economy are rocky, long-term investors can ride it out with a little luck and a lot of planning, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

A bear market can be great for your future wealth, if you use broad, low-cost funds to buy stocks and bonds steadily for decades, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The immediate outlook is grim, but low-cost funds that track the entire market can help you prosper over the long term, our columnist says.

By Jeff Sommer

The U.S. has been in recession 14 percent of the time since World War II. But being prepared can minimize hardship and even offer investing opportunities.

By Jeff Sommer

History shows that the U.S. stock market has always recovered from declines in the past.

By Jeff Sommer

The inflation data indicated that policymakers would need to continue their aggressive attempts to slow the economy.

By Jason Karaian and Jeff Sommer

The data suggested that policymakers would need to take aggressive steps to cool the economy, spooking investors.

By Jason Karaian and Jeff Sommer