Pacific Funds | Market & Economic Commentary

March 2023

From Fossil Fuels to Green Energy

A look at the ongoing power shifts in electric generation.

March 2023

The March of Inflation

How have market expectations adjusted to recent inflation numbers?

February 2023

Reaching the Limit

Has our debt and the Fed finally hit their ceiling?

February 2023

With Inflation Slowing, the Fed Shows More Optimism

The central bank lifts rates 0.25%, while signaling a softer-than-expected economic landing may be possible.

January 2023

Behind the Trading Desk

An interview with Michael Lonia, head of trading for Pacific Asset Management.

January 2023

Does the Fed Get Credit?

The central bank’s rate hikes battered fixed income in 2022. What does that mean for the 2023 landscape?

December 2022

Takeaways from 2022, Thoughts for 2023

What can we learn from this challenging year, and how will 2023 be different?

December 2022

The Gaming Sector Has Been on a Roll

After a short COVID shutdown, pent-up demand and cost cuts have benefited the gaming industry.

December 2022

'We have more work to do.' — Fed Chair Jerome Powell

The Federal Reserve slowed rate increases at its latest meeting but signaled its hiking cycle isn’t over.

December 2022

10 Charts to Help Make Sense of Fixed Income This Year

Looking to get a better handle on this volatile year in corporate credit? We have 10 charts for you.

December 2022

Why Inflation May Still Persist

Several contributing factors to inflation may not be addressed by simply raising rates.

November 2022

Will the Fed Put it in Neutral?

With inflation indicators rolling over, will the central bank signal an end to the rate hikes?

November 2022

Another Record Hike, but Hints of Downshift

The Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.75% for a fourth consecutive time, as the central bank continues to try slow inflation.

October 2022

Fed Hikes: Too Much, Too Late?

How much will the economy be rocked by the central bank’s delayed but aggressive response to high inflation?

October 2022

Framing the Housing Sector

How have rising mortgage rates impacted the once red-hot housing market?

October 2022

Inflation or Bust?

Are these becoming the only two choices given the hawkish Fed?

October 2022

How a Port in a Storm Affects Retail

The retail sector has been hit by several headwinds, including challenges in the ports. What’s the deal?

September 2022

Hiking into Uncharted Territory

The Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.75% for a third consecutive time, as the Fed continues to try to curb inflation.

September 2022

Where's Inflation Heading?

No one knows for certain, but here are some clues.

September 2022

Is the Market Fed Up?

Will the Fed’s rate hikes break the economy?

August 2022

The Fed's Short Runway

Can the central bank navigate a soft landing for the economy?

August 2022

The Economy's Mixed Signals

Recession fears and volatility have rocked the markets, but it’s not all bad news.

July 2022

Historic Hiking

The Federal Reserve raised rates again by another historic amount in an aggressive attempt to bring down soaring inflation.

July 2022

Analyze This: The Energy Sector

From the quest for net-zero emissions to the war in Ukraine, analyst John Brueggemann discusses the impact of U.S. and world events on the energy sector.

July 2022

Flirting with Recession

The Fed’s mission to tame inflation has already battered fixed-income markets. ls a recession next?

July 2022

Should Investors Feel at Home with Housing?

Despite several headwinds, other signs indicate the housing sector may remain strong.

June 2022

Vexed by Volatility

It’s been a bumpy ride for the markets so far in 2022. Will the road smooth out soon?

June 2022

Floating Rate Update

Despite a poor performance in May, we view the ﬂoating-rate loan asset class—the shining star within corporate credit so far this year—as appealing, providing potential for price appreciation, as well as a compelling yield profile.

June 2022

Fighting the Inflation Fire

The Federal Reserve raised rates by the greatest amount in 28 years, in an effort to aggressively fight the flames of inflation, and expects the target fed funds rate to finish the year at 3.4%.

June 2022

The Case For Corporate Debt

Adding corporate debt to an investor’s portfolio may provide higher levels of income, capital appreciation and a hedge against rising interest rates.

May 2022

In Hiking Cycles, Why Consider Floating-Rate Loans?

Floating-rate loans may provide higher levels of income than other fixed-income asset classes, along with serving as a potential hedge against rising interest rates.

May 2022

Watching the Fed Like a Hawk

As the Fed gets more aggressive, what’s in store for rates and the economy?

April 2022

Inflation and Inversion

With inflation pushing the Fed to hike rates, is the bond market indicating a potentially hard landing?

April 2022

Inflation: Multi-Factor Problem May Require Multiple Solutions

Knocking down inflation may require a multi-pronged and painful approach.

March 2022

When Rates Rise, Consider Floating-Rate Loans

Here’s our case for floating-rate loans during a rate-hike cycle.

March 2022

A Wild Market Ride

Market volatility has been a constant this year. Should we be worried?

March 2022

The Economic Headwinds of War

Russia’s unprovoked war with Ukraine has already had wide-ranging impacts on the global economy. What’s an investor to do?

March 2022

After a Volatile Start, How Will 2022 Play Out?

Three asset managers discuss the delicate balance this year between inflation and rate hikes, plus other factors impacting the economy.

February 2022

Can the Fed Thread the Needle?

The Fed faces the task of tackling inflation as COVID wreaks havoc on supply chains, without disrupting the U.S. economy

February 2022

Fixed Income Opportunities to Consider in 2022

We posed four questions for Pacific Funds portfolio managers about today’s fixed-income markets. Here are their answers.

January 2022

The Fed's Balancing Act for 2022

The central bank will have to weigh economic growth against reducing inflation. Plus, there’s COVID.

January 2022

The Catch '22 for 2022

This year will likely be a push and pull between inflation, the Fed and COVID.

December 2021

2021 Summed Up in 10 Charts

When it came to the economy, 2021 made for a wild ride: broken supply chains, spiking inflation, plummeting unemployment, changes in the Fed’s stance, and, despite all this, an estimated GDP growth of 8.7%. Here are 10 charts that we believe best reflect the roller-coaster year.

December 2021

LIBOR to SOFR: A Long-Anticipated Transition

While much has been made of the cessation of LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) on Dec. 31, 2021, we believe any disruption by the switch to SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) as the new ARR (Alternative Reference Rate) will be limited.

December 2021

The Inflation Battle Begins

With the labor market continuing to improve and inflation spiking, Fed officials have moved up their timeline for reducing asset purchases and predict as many as three interest-rate hikes in 2022.

December 2021

Will Inflation Deflate The Economy?

Is rapidly rising inflation a bump in the economic road or a major detour to a full recovery?

November 2021

5 Reasons for Stubborn Inflation

Pandemic-related pressures have driven inflation higher—and for longer—than many predicted. Does that mean the Fed will back off its stance that today’s inflation is “expected to be transitory”?

November 2021

Supply Chain Reactions

Large supply-chain bottlenecks and labor shortages continue as demand grows. What does this mean for consumers and the economy?

November 2021

How Will the Year End?

That depends on several factors, including supply chains, COVID, and Big Tech regulation. But in the end, we believe value and small-cap stocks may come out winners.

October 2021

‘Spendflation’

Consumers with record net worth are spending. Driving both real economic growth and inflation. What effects should we expect?

October 2021

Big Tech + Big Regulation = Opportunity?

As regulators set their sights on Big Tech, will large-cap value stocks emerge a winner?

September 2021

Signaling Ahead

With the economic recovery steady and inflation continuing to be elevated, Fed officials are still on track to raise interest rates in 2023, with tapering predicted by year’s end.

September 2021

Full Steam Ahead?

So far, the economic rebound has largely withstood the twin surges of the Delta variant and inflation. Will that continue?

September 2021

Analyze This: Food for Thought

The food-and-beverage sector has generally adjusted well during the pandemic, but important questions remain.

August 2021

Economic Delta

Will the aggressive COVID variant impact the economic rebound? Plus, market insights and more.

August 2021

Asia's Progress and Challenges (Semiconductors Part 2)

Asia produces 70% of the world’s microchips. What’s behind this massive market share and what may chip away at it?

August 2021

Will 2021's Strong First Half Continue?

2021’s first half gave us vaccinations, an economic rebound and rising inflation. What’s next?

August 2021

In Short Supply

Temporary supply-chain bottlenecks and labor storages may fuel transitory inflation, but what’s beyond that?

July 2021

Semiconductors - Part 1 (U.S. Initiatives)

How will the U.S. address the challenges of semiconductor chip shortages that have hampered production for various industries?

June 2021

Analyze This: Housing

Blueprint for red-hot sector: Low interest rates, low supply

June 2021

Taking an Early Hike?

With the economy recovering and inflation on the rise, Fed officials now expect to raise interest rates in 2023, a year earlier than previously predicted.

June 2021

Inflated Concerns

With the consumer bump still ahead, is there too much money chasing too few goods?

June 2021

Bank Loans: What We Look For and What We Avoid

Floating-rate loans have attracted increased investor attention given the search for income amid an uncertain interest-rate environment.

June 2021

Analyze This: Airlines

Air travel takes flight again thanks to COVID Vaccines

June 2021

How Strong Are the Economic Tailwinds?

What’s in store for the economy and credit with a rebounding economy and pent-up demand?

May 2021

Has India Learned From Its Mistakes?

After some economic stumbles, India has corrected course and may be poised for explosive growth…once it stomps out the pandemic wildfire.

April 2021

Adapt and Overcome

The U.S. economy has rebounded thanks to stimulus packages, better supply chains, pent-up demand, and other factors. Is China the next challenge?

April 2021

Analyze This

Insights into how five Covid-19-impacted sectors are performing more than one year into the pandemic—and what the future may hold.

March 2021

Faster Recovery?

Federal Reserve officials now expect a faster economic recovery than previously predicted with revised estimates of 54% more GDP growth in 2021.

February 2021

The Case for Economic Optimism in '21

COVID vaccines and unleashed demand may provide tailwinds, but the year is not without risks.

November 2020

The Closing of Two Fed Credit Facilities

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin recently announced that several Federal Reserve (Fed) lending programs won’t be extended beyond year’s end.

November 2020

Should Big Tech Be Feeling Blue?

The blue shift in the White House may signal added trouble for Big Tech companies.

October 2020

Ready to Declare a v-Shaped Recovery?

With the economy slowing in September, the battle for a quick rebound may be far from over.

October 2020

Analyze This

Insights into how five COVID-19-impacted sectors are performing—and what the future may hold.

September 2020

Promoting Retirement Readiness

How the Pacific Funds Portfolio Optimization Funds offer long-term turnkey investment strategies.

August 2020

The Comeback Kid?

Why there’s still value in a value allocation.

July 2020

Bridging to '21

Perspectives on the most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

July 2020

Uncharted Waters

In recent months, investment-grade debt has experienced a ferocious rally. What’s next?

November 2019

The Case for SMID

Over the past 40 years, small- to mid-cap (SMID-cap) stocks have outperformed small- and large-cap equities in both bull and bear markets.

October 2019

A Tale of Two Markets

Divergence in today’s high yield market can be challenging, but also provides opportunity.

August 2019

Thinking Small

Tina Jones from Rothschild & Co Asset Management US Inc., the subadvisor for the Pacific Funds U.S. equity funds, gives her views on the impact of tariffs on domestic small-cap stocks and what the future may hold.

June 2019

BBB Bubble?

Portfolio Managers David Weismiller and Ying Qiu share insights into what’s happening in the BBB space and the impact to investors.

November 2018

Pacific Funds Strategic Income Portfolio Manager Q&A

Pacific Funds Strategic Income Portfolio Manager Brian Robertson discusses the flexibility of Pacific Funds Strategic Income and what sets the investment process apart from peers.