podcast series

Markets in Focus

Insightful conversations focused on the latest trends, themes and developments driving the markets.

Matt Orton, Chief Market Strategist

Matt Orton, CFA

Join Matt Orton, CFA, Chief Market Strategist, for timely insights and incisive discussions with Raymond James Investment Management’s industry leaders. Subscribe where you listen to podcasts.

Bond are Back
May 24, 2023

Bonds are back

The era of 'free money' is over. The Fed's interest rate hikes are reshaping the corporate landscape, unveiling opportunities and risks unseen by fixed income investors in years.

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March 22, 2023

Factor investing: A compass for volatile markets

Explore the power of factor investing and learn how to turn volatility into opportunity in 2023.

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Factor investing: A compass for volatile markets
Investing in the face of a recession
December 19, 2022

Investing in the face of a recession

A recession looks inevitable for 2023, so how can investors position their portfolios to minimize downside risk while preparing to capitalize on the opportunities to come?

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December 5, 2022

Emerging markets: Poised to support growth?

Amid growing concerns about a global recession, emerging markets appear to be ahead of the curve.

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Emerging markets: Poised to support growth?
Credit market cross-currents: macro uncertainty, alpha potential
November 8, 2022

Credit cross-currents: macro uncertainty, alpha potential

It’s been a rough year for investors, and the credit market has been no exception. Rates have surged, ending a multi-decade bond bull market. How can investors generate alpha as credit yields become more attractive?

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September 6, 2022

Why bank stocks are now even more hyper-cyclical

Rising interest rates get much of the attention, but other critically important factors are also at work for bank, insurance, consumer lending, and financial services stocks.

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Why bank stocks are now even more hyper-cyclical
Energy investing in a high-octane era of change
August 24, 2022

Energy investing in a high-octane era of change

Few sectors can be as whip-sawed or as boosted by global events as energy. After a transition away from a single-minded focus on growth, the industry now faces a new set of challenges and offers a unique set of potential opportunities.

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August 2, 2022

Opportunities in the wake of inflation

The COVID bust and vaccine boom that followed it was a period unlike any in U.S. history. So why would the resulting inflation be any different?

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Opportunities in the wake of inflation
Is the Fed a match for inflation?
June 28, 2022

Is the Fed a match for inflation?

Labor costs and borrowing costs will be two key considerations for U.S. companies trying to navigate persistent inflation and slowing growth through the end of the year. With both, all roads lead back to the Fed.

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May 18, 2022

The next step in ESG investing

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently unveiled proposed rules that could transform ESG investing. Amid 500 pages of text, three words stand out: Consistency. Comparability. Reliability.

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The next step in ESG investing
Blockchain technology: Was Crypto just the beginning?
April 15, 2022

Blockchain technology: Was Crypto just the beginning?

From mangoes to diamonds to healthcare to finance: Blockchain technology is poised to transform virtually every corner of the economy.

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March 7, 2022

Inflation, the Fed, and portfolio positioning

How did the Fed misjudge 2021’s biggest story so badly, and what are the implications of inflation — whether rising, falling, or something in between — for investors in the coming year?

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Inflation, the Fed, and portfolio positioning
What happened to the reflation trade?
Feb. 21, 2022

Growth vs. Value whiplash: What’s ahead in 2022?

Growth stocks went on an extraordinary run during the pandemic, but rising rates set the stage for value stocks. What’s ahead for factor investing, and is there a different way to look at the question of growth vs. value? (Spoiler: Yes.)

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Jan. 25, 2022

Energy: Rough Past. Brighter Future?

The energy sector saw a truly horrible year in 2020, followed by a much better 2021. What does 2022 hold for a sector that always has its share of headwinds, but now might have some tailwinds, too?

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Energy: Rough Past. Brighter Future?

More Episodes

What happened to the reflation trade?
Jan. 11, 2022

What happened to the reflation trade?

A year into the reflation trade, valuation metrics for many growth stocks are higher than they were a year ago. But if you look at fundamental drivers, things are not so clear.

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Dec. 2, 2021

Coping with concentration in small caps

Increased concentration is distorting performance across small-cap indices. How can active managers adjust?

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Coping with concentration in small caps
The evolution of ETFs
Oct. 25, 2021

The evolution of ETFs

What should investors consider as ETF’s become ever more common in the investment landscape?

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Sept. 30, 2021

“G”: The key to ESG success

Don’t overlook the “G” in ESG. Governance is the glue that holds it all together.

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G: The key to ESG success
Not enough chips on the table
Sept. 16, 2021

Not enough chips on the table

A closer look at the global chip shortage that left supply chains starving.

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Aug. 30, 2021

Moving past 'peak everything'

Markets seem to make new highs every week, leading investors to ask: Where do we go from here?

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Moving past peak everything
Can denial defeat inflation?
Aug. 9, 2021

Can denial defeat inflation?

Markets seem to embrace the Fed’s line that inflation is transitory, but gauges may be skewed.

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July 21, 2021

How can healthcare regain momentum?

The healthcare sector weathered the COVID-19 storm very well, but has underperformed during the first half of 2021. Why the slump, and what’s the way out of it?

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How can healthcare regain momentum?
Changing tides: enthusiasm rises for international equities
July 6, 2021

Changing tides: Enthusiasm rises for international equities

Many investors are under-allocated to international equities after a historically long stretch of underperformance relative to the U.S. It may be time to change that.

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June 22, 2021

Don’t overlook mid-cap stocks

Mid-cap stocks have shown strong performance since the pandemic market bottom in March 2020. Why aren’t more investors taking note?

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Don’t overlook mid-cap stocks
Moving money to munis?
June 8, 2021

Moving money to munis?

Higher tax talk makes investors remember municipal bonds

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May 25, 2021

Unprecedented stimulus fuels market distortion

The stimulus spigot is wide open – but is it manipulating markets?

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Unprecedented stimulus fuels market distortion

Less Episodes

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Risk Information

Investing involves risk, including risk of loss.

Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.

Disclosures

Index or benchmark performance presented in this document does not reflect the deduction of advisory fees, transaction charges, or other expenses, which would reduce performance. Indexes are unmanaged. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Any investor who attempts to mimic the performance of an index would incur fees and expenses that would reduce return.

This material is a general communication being provided for informational purposes only. It is educational in nature and not designed to be taken as advice or a recommendation for any specific investment product, strategy, plan feature, or other purpose in any jurisdiction, nor is it a commitment from Raymond James Investment Management or any of its affiliates to participate in any of the transactions mentioned herein. Any examples used are generic, hypothetical, and for illustration purposes only. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision, and you should not rely on it in evaluating the merits of investing in any securities or products. In addition, users should make an independent assessment of the legal, regulatory, tax, credit, and accounting implications and make their own determinations together with their own professionals in those fields. Any forecasts, figures, opinions, or investment techniques and strategies set out are for information purposes only, based on certain assumptions and current market conditions, and are subject to change without prior notice. All information presented herein is considered to be accurate at the time of production, but no warranty of accuracy is given and no liability in respect of any error or omission is accepted. It should be noted that investment involves risks, the value of investments and the income from them may fluctuate in accordance with market conditions and taxation agreements, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Both past performance and yields are not reliable indicators of current and future results.

CTA22-0537 Exp. 9/2/2023