ZF News and Press, Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. From 06/30/21

The reopening should continue across the major developed economies through the second half of 2021. The focus for markets has shifted to the strength of the growth rebound, the implications for inflation and the timing of central bank moves to taper asset purchases and eventually rais...

The “mega-drought” out West is expected to cause electricity prices to rise due to hydroelectric power plant output falling, being rationed, or possibly shut down. Higher food and electric prices may be “transitory,” as the Fed has asserted, but this ȁ...

The potential for higher U.S. taxes, coupled with regulatory risks and shifting growth momentum, tempers our near-term enthusiasm for U.S. equities. Euro area business activity surged in June as the region catches up on the restart that has been led by the U.S. and UK. Investors w...

On a price-only basis, the S&P 500 Index is up over 91% since the March 23, 2020 low. Nearly halfway through 2021 and the S&P 500 Index is up a strong 14%. Additionally, when evaluating investor sentiment and equity fund flows, it does not appear investors are all-in on stocks...

Strategas Head of Technical Strategy Chris Verrone takes us through some market insights. The trend of this market is up, but momentum has started to soften under the surface. Over the last few months, participation has narrowed a little as fewer stocks move higher along with the mark...

The American economy is roaring ahead. There are 3 rivers of money pouring into it. It is worth noting now just where all of this new stimulus money will be spent. My advice is just to hop on and enjoy the ride. Sure, it will end someday, but not today and not for the foreseeable futu...

The breakneck pace of the COVID-driven decline and restart has made for one unprecedented economic and market cycle. We begin the second half positioned for recovery, while also safeguarding against potential bouts of market angst. We remain constructive on U.S. stocks as the economic...

Two key historic characteristics of the stock market: It works to confuse and confound the maximum number of people most of the time, while providing excellent long-term returns. So-called “hawkish” commentary by the Fed is credited with sending stocks into a tailspin, w...

The real drama was not on the day of the FOMC statement and Powell’s press conference, but when St. Louis Fed President James Bullard was on CNBC’s Squawk Box last Friday. That’s what caused the most severe repercussions in stocks, bonds, and commodities. Retail i...

Last Tuesday, while the Federal Open Market Committee was meeting in Washington, DC, the Labor Department reported that the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.8% in May, which is significantly higher than the economists’ consensus estimate of a 0.5% increase. Food prices rose 2....