Insights

The second quarter of 2019 had opened positively – thanks to better-than-feared earnings and soothing tones from central banks – before US-China trade talks unraveled in May, sinking equities and rallying bond prices.

2Q 2019 commentary for Credit Select Risk-Managed strategy is now available for download and review.

Lifted by the risk sell-off in May, bonds in June were yet no worse for the wear even as that sell-off reversed. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” to quote Fed Chair Jay Powell, and it was worth at least 2% to global bond investors in 2Q.

Listen to the Credit Select Risk-Managed spotlight webinar to learn about the CSRM strategy and firm’s history.

Equity markets unraveled in May along with US-China trade talks. After leading on the upswing for all of 2019, the S&P 500 (down 6.4%) underperformed developed international stocks (-4.7%). Read more here.

Core global bonds rallied in May as risk-asset investors digested a mix of sour political tones and escalated trade hostilities between the US and China.

Core bond markets in April took a breather after a strong start to the year, and saw mixed results as investors continued to expand equity multiples and push risk-asset indices past all-time highs.

The month of April proceeded without disruption to key positive themes including increased optimism around economic recovery in China, anticipated resolution of the U.S.-China trade conflict and perhaps most importantly, global central banks tilting highly accommodative.

1Q 2019 commentary for Credit Select Risk-Managed is now available.

Bond investors in 1Q 2019 were treated to falling yields and an equity-like credit rally as central banks worked to keep the economic plates spinning.

With spirits lifted by accommodative tones in everything from central bank pressers to trade discussions, investors put the 4Q meltdown in the rearview and sent global stocks up around 12.3% in the first quarter of 2019.

As equity investors take a breather (for now) we examine just how quickly the S&P 500 reversed to the upside and consider whether this rally was unique as compared to other dramatic rallies in recent history.

Results were mixed in global bonds, with the US and credit risk outperforming as equities continued to climb.

Equity investors weren’t in quite the same hurry as they were in January, but February saw solid returns across geographies, styles and sectors.

The clouds parted for global markets in January, delivering high-single- or low-double-digit returns across essentially all equity geographies and styles.

Capital markets opened the new year in a decidedly risk-on mood, but global fixed income was no worse for the wear.

WST Capital Management named Top Guns Manager for the third quarter of 2018 by Informa Investment Solutions.

On the heels of a rough week for high yield, we’re sharing observations on credit markets and perspective on these concepts in relation to portfolio positioning.

WST Capital Management has been awarded a Top Guns designation by Informa Investment Solutions’ PSN manager database.

Watch Roger Scheffel, CIO of WST provide input on the roles liquidity and tracking error can play in the life cycle of a custom index strategy.

Watch Roger Scheffel, CIO of WST provide perspective on whether investors should consider incorporating ever-complex ETFs in their portfolios.

Watch Roger Scheffel, CIO of WST explain how custom indexing works for financial advisors.

Watch Roger Scheffel, CIO of WST discuss their take on how equally weighted sectors can work in your investment strategy.