Wall Street Wrestles With Hedging Conundrum as Valuations Swell
'Markets are getting overly complacent,' said Thooft, the chief investment officer of multi-asset solutions at the Boston-based firm. Over the past nine months, his team has steadily reduced exposure to high-yield credit, shifted toward non-US equities, and redeployed capital into safer corners. 'We have had a massive rebound since the tariff driven lows in April with limited pullbacks. Valuations are stretched in many markets. Risk indicators have fallen to the lows of the year.'
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Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Big changes could mark a housing market 'sweet spot' this fall — are you ready to take advantage of them?
Maybe you were planning to buy a house this year but haven't found anything yet — and panic is starting to set in because you're worried you've missed the housing market season. It's common you'll find a higher number of listed properties in late spring and summer. That means, if you're in the market for a new home, you have more options to choose from, but you also face stiffer competition. Traditionally, fall and winter are quieter, but if you find a place you like, you may be able to get a better deal on it. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Shop Top Mortgage Rates Your Path to Homeownership A quicker path to financial freedom Personalized rates in minutes Potential homebuyers, however, may be able to take some comfort from the picture being painted by recent data that suggests this fall may be a great time to buy a new home. 'There's a lot of uncertainty out there, and some buyers are just waiting to see what happens,' Zillow senior economist Kara Ng said in an article published July 20. 'So, if you're able to buy, fall could be a sweet spot since you won't be competing against the pool of buyers waiting on the sidelines.' US housing inventory at a multiyear high One of the main reasons this fall is shaping up to be a good one for homebuyers is that, according to Zillow data, the inventory of homes for sale is the highest it's been since July 2020, with the number of listed homes up 20% from last year. At the same time, for the past two years, October has seen the highest inventory of the year as homes listed earlier remain unsold. Zillow anticipates this seasonal pattern will repeat this year after a 'lackluster spring' during which buyers didn't show up. A fall with high inventory and fewer buyers means that if you're in the market for a new home, 'you're likely to have more time to decide on your options,' Ng said. 'You have time to really consider if that home is the right fit for you.' With fewer buyers, you're also less likely to endure a bidding war for the home you want and you may have more negotiating power. Some sellers are lowering prices In some markets, prices aren't rising as quickly as they have been over the past few years. Home values across the U.S. grew by 45.3% between February 2020 to 2025, Zillow reported earlier this year — a rate that's more than double the historic rate of increase. As of July, the median sale price for all home types was $443,462, according to Redfin. But the market is cooling, and Zillow is predicting 'a decline of 1.4% in home values nationally by the end of the year.' Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you're not a millionaire. At the same time, 'the share of listings with a price cut in May climbed to 26%, and many sellers are sweetening deals with concessions such as covering closing costs or buying down mortgage interest rates for the first one to three years,' according to Zillow. These pricing dynamics could be a sign that the market is becoming more balanced in a way that 'favors buyers and sellers equally.' While Danielle Hale, chief economist at agrees that we're heading toward a more balanced market, she points out that this varies regionally and that affordability still remains an issue. 'Even with more homes on the market, buyer response has remained muted compared to what we'd expect from similar supply shifts in the past,' she said in a news release, commenting on mid-year housing forecast update. 'In regions like the South and West, inventory gains have been more substantial, but affordability constraints continue to weigh on demand,' she said. 'Meanwhile, the Northeast and Midwest remain tighter markets with relatively steadier buyer activity.' Are you ready to take advantage of a buyer's market? Whether you should take advantage of an improved buyer's market depends on your personal circumstances. If you're a first-time homebuyer, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests you have at least two years of reliable, regular, steady income, as well as good credit. Ramsey Solutions, which offers personal finance education, recommends you first pay off all your other debts and build an emergency fund with three to six months' worth of expenses. From there, you'll need to save up a down payment — preferably 20% or more so you don't have to pay mortgage insurance. You'll also need to budget in closing costs and have funds available for moving expenses. Before you start searching for houses, be sure you can afford all of your monthly housing costs, including your mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance and (potentially) homeowners association fees — all of which shouldn't total more than 25% of your take-home pay, according to Ramsey Solutions. Another consideration from Ramsey Solutions? How long you plan to live there. That's because 'it usually takes at least five years for a home's value to grow enough to keep you from losing money when you resell it.' If you can satisfy these requirements and still feel you're ready for homeownership, you may be looking at a market more friendly to buyers than the U.S. has seen in a long time. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jim Cramer Says Don't Quit Market When It's Frothy: 'Is Widespread Irrationality a Reason To Sell Down in Perfectly Rational Stocks? Absolutely Not'
In the face of a frothy market, financial expert Jim Cramer encourages investors to stay the course, highlighting numerous positive stock narratives that counterbalance the market's irrationality. What Happened: Cramer made a case last week, asserting that the current market conditions are far removed from the dotcom bubble burst of the late 90s. He emphasized that despite the froth, today's market is more rational. Cramer drew attention to the irrationality in recent IPOs like Circle, Figma, and Bullish, which have witnessed significant gains since their launch. On CNBC, he also noted Oklo Inc., a firm with ambitions to construct a compact nuclear reactor powered by nuclear waste, whose stock has surged 247% year-to-date. 'Flying cars, supercharged crypto ETFs, secretive companies that consult in magical ways, all irrational. I could go on and on,' Cramer said. 'Is the widespread irrationality a reason to sell down your positions in perfectly rational stocks? Absolutely not.' Also Read: Jim Cramer Has Blunt Message for Fed Chair Powell After July Job Numbers Tanked On the other hand, Cramer pointed to Amazon Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) as instances of rationality. Amazon's stock climbed by 3% after the introduction of same-day fresh food delivery in over 1,000 U.S. cities and towns. Eli Lilly's stock also experienced a boost when a team from the pharmaceutical company's management and board of directors purchased stock on the open market. 'Sure, there's froth, but there are also perfectly legitimate moves in the stocks of great companies. I am calling this the year of magical thinking, but the truth is you can't get the runs in the good ones without the runs in the bad ones,' Cramer added. Read Next Short Seller Slams Jim Cramer Over Palantir, Accuses Him Of Hyping 'High-Multiple, Hype-Driven Narrative' Image: Shutterstock/katz Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? (AMZN): Free Stock Analysis Report ELI LILLY (LLY): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Jim Cramer Says Don't Quit Market When It's Frothy: 'Is Widespread Irrationality a Reason To Sell Down in Perfectly Rational Stocks? Absolutely Not' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Fast Company
13 minutes ago
- Fast Company
Employers need help managing workers who are taking second jobs
Employers who sense rising levels of anxiety and signs of disengagement or displeasure in their workplace now have survey data to explain the sources of that unsettling vibe. But those insights also suggest managers need to address the sources of that unhappiness to avoid losing employees to companies that are already doing so. That was the main lesson in a recent study by staff recruitment, management, and payroll software company Remote. It polled '2,000 full-time, desk-based U.S. workers' about their perceptions of their workplaces. The overarching message participants sent was they're 'worried about the economy, unsure about their career future, and searching for employers they can trust.' As a result, many respondents said they're looking for greater financial and job security, and simultaneously want more input and guidance from employers—as well as increased flexibility in their work. Some of those expectations are directly linked to financial pressures many participants said they were under, as well as habits developed under pandemic-era remote working arrangements. Their own money concerns—and the increased fears about the economy's future that 80 percent of respondents expressed—led nearly 20 percent of participants to say they'd already taken on a second job or side hustle. An additional 57 percent say they're looking to do so, for the same reasons. Rising employee preoccupations with working a second job, along with their pandemic experiences of having worked from home, made flexibility a top priority for all but 11 percent of participants. About a third said their desire for fully remote employment was higher than it was a year ago, with 26 percent saying the same for hybrid. Around 60 percent of both groups said they'd take a pay cut to secure those arrangements, which tend to offer greater range in doing work and alsofacilitate juggling a side hustle. Interestingly, other replies in the Remote survey indicated that employers providing increased flexibility may help remedy another problem cited: worker complaints about insufficient communication and support. Polling data found just 17 percent of respondents said they were getting enough resources and support to feel stable and engaged on the job. Meanwhile, only 8 percent said their company regularly shares information on how the economy may impact their role or organization, with about a quarter describing those updates as 'vague.' Over a third of participants—or 35 percent—said they receive no feedback on that from bosses—but wish they did. Unexpectedly, however, 50 percent of people with hybrid arrangements and 46 percent of fully remote employees reported getting higher levels of that information and direction from managers. Meaning, with only 37 percent of in-office respondents feeling the same, 'organizations with distributed teams may lean more towards intentional, proactive communication,' analysis of the findings said. What can employers do to respond to the study's results? Its authors offered the following steps that companies might take to provide workers the 'honesty, stability, and real investment in their well-being' they need and reduce the risks of them seeking these qualities elsewhere instead. Talk about it. Regular, transparent updates help employees feel grounded. Rethink flexibility. Flexible policies have moved out of perk territory, and into the essential camp. Flexible working can be a lifeline for disengaged and anxious employees and for those with needs and responsibilities that don't fit into rigid structures. Invest in development. Clear career paths build security and loyalty. Support financial wellness. Educational resources can go a long way. Create space for dialogue. Especially when the conversations are hard. 'The findings serve as a reminder that people-first leadership isn't about guesswork, but listening, responding, and proactively creating environments where employees can maintain stability and productivity, even in uncertain times, instead,' noted Remote's chief people officer, Barbara Matthews. — By Bruce Crumley
