March 2019

by Dan Zalipski, CFA 

Over the past month the equity markets continue to grind higher.  Investors are optimistic that the U.S. may be nearing a trade deal with China.   President Trump had pushed back the March 1st deadline to raise existing tariffs on Chinese goods to 25%, a sign that progress is being made on negotiations.  This is further supported by National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow stating that negotiators have made ‘great headway’ working on a deal.  Even so, concerns remain as mixed messages continue to trickle out, with the President recently stating that he is in no rush and would even walk away from a potential deal that fails to address key issues, such as intellectual property and technology transfers.  Two steps forward, one step back.