Perspectives

Market Trends

Stephens Managing Director Melissa Roberts, head of Strategic Opportunities & Index Rebalancing research, breaks down why June is a critical month for market liquidity.

Market Trends

As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season unfolds, businesses across the Gulf Coast and Southeastern U.S. face elevated risks. In light of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projection for 3 to 5 major hurricanes, businesses should be proactive in mitigating risks and ensuring a more resilient response.

Market Trends

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee released its decision on the federal funds rate earlier today at its June meeting and, as expected, held the fed funds rate unchanged in a range of 4.25% and 4.50%.

Market Trends

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of May revealed a modest 0.1% increase on a month-over-month basis, while prices rose 2.4% over the past 12 months.

Market Trends

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims rose more than expected last week to the highest weekly count since the week ended October 5, 2024. The data reflect a gradual cooling in the labor market. The accumulation of higher continuing claims suggests that people who lose a job are having an incrementally more difficult time finding a new one and initial claims are slowly creeping higher. First time claims in regular state programs recorded 247,000 for the week ending May 31st, after the prior week’s report of 239,000. The four-week moving average climbed to 235,000 from 230,500 the prior week. Continuing claims, a proxy for people who are already receiving benefits and still cannot find a job, decreased 3,000 to 1,904,000 for the week ending May 24th. The insured unemployment rate, the number of people currently receiving unemployment insurance as a percentage of the labor force, decreased to 1.2% from 1.3% the prior week.

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Stephens Insurance is built on lasting values and cultivating long-term relationships. We have earned a global reputation for our vision, integrity, and innovation. We tailor our insurance services to align with our clients’ unique goals to minimize risk and strengthen their financial position.

Market Trends

The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims rose more than expected last week, with gains in both initial and continuing jobless claims. First time claims in regular state programs recorded 240,000 for the week ending May 24th, after the prior week’s report of 226,000. The four-week moving average declined to 230,750 from 231,000 the prior week. Continuing claims, a proxy for people who are already receiving benefits and still cannot find a job, increased 26,000 to 1,919,000 for the week ending May 17th. This is the highest level since November 2021, though the level is only about 50,000 higher than the average of the last 6 months. The gain suggests that workers who have been laid off are having a harder time finding a new job. The insured unemployment rate, the number of people currently receiving unemployment insurance as a percentage of the labor force, increased to 1.3% from 1.2%.

Ownership Interests

What Does It Take to Prepare for a Business Sale? Our own Anthony Donges, Managing Director in Europe, joins Cazenove Capital’s Freddie Lower in the latest episode of their Business Lifecycle video series.

Market Trends

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the month of April revealed a modest 0.2% month-over-month increase, while prices rose 2.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Market Trends

The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee announced its decision to maintain the federal funds rate within the 4.25%–4.50% target range—a move widely anticipated.