Portfolio Strategist Jessica Noviskis, CFA was featured on Bloomberg TV’s Surveillance coverage on May 11, 2026.
Jessica discussed investor sentiment regarding the ongoing conflict/ceasefire narrative in the Middle East, Fed policy, how artificial intelligence and tech companies continue to shape the market, and how current risks influence portfolio construction and performance.
The opinions expressed herein are those of Marquette Associates, Inc. (“Marquette”), and are subject to change without notice. This material is not financial advice or an offer to purchase or sell any product. Marquette reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs.
The leadership structure of the Federal Reserve is intentionally designed to promote continuity, independence, and institutional stability across political cycles. Specifically, the seven members of the central bank’s Board of Governors serve staggered 14-year terms, while the Chair is appointed to a renewable four-year term by the president and confirmed by the Senate. In this context, the nomination of Kevin Warsh by the Trump administration earlier this year to lead the Fed marks a potential inflection point for U.S. monetary policy leadership. Warsh brings a combination of public- and private-sector experience, having served as a Federal Reserve governor during the Global Financial Crisis, worked in mergers and acquisitions at Morgan Stanley, and later advised policymakers and investors as a fellow at the Hoover Institution and lecturer at Stanford. Warsh’s nomination, first announced in late January and now nearing final Senate confirmation, comes as Jerome Powell is set to end his term as Chair in the coming days, concluding a tenure defined by extraordinary economic shocks and aggressive policy responses. Recent developments have effectively cleared the path for this transition, with Warsh expected to assume the role shortly after Powell’s term expires, even as Powell has indicated he intends to remain on the Board of Governors through 2028 in a move aimed at preserving institutional continuity. Against this backdrop, Warsh is in position to take the helm of a Federal Reserve that has recently undergone a historic tightening cycle and is now navigating the late stages of the inflation fight, setting the stage for what is likely to be an evolution (rather than a reset) of policy direction.
Diversify. Rebalance. Stay invested. Every one of these letters has concluded with that same advice in some shape or form. It’s not particularly shiny and new, but the best documented path to a successful long-term investment program. The last eight weeks are another data point in support of these practices.
In this edition:
Impact of U.S.–Iran conflict on oil prices, interest rates, and equity markets
Volatility and drawdowns in the market cycle
Equity market rotation
Magnificent 7 detraction and increased market breadth
This video is a recording of a live webinar held April 16 by Marquette’s research team analyzing the first quarter across the economy and various asset classes as well as themes we’ll be monitoring in the coming months.
Our quarterly Market Insights series examines the primary asset classes we cover for clients including the U.S. economy, fixed income, U.S. and non-U.S. equities, hedge funds, real assets, and private markets, with commentary by our research analysts and directors.
Fixed income is the largest global financial market and often one of the largest allocations within institutional investors’ portfolios. A typical fixed income allocation implements an investment grade anchor with a few “satellite” mandates — most commonly high yield bonds, leveraged loans, and emerging market debt — that carry more credit risk but provide higher levels of yield. Fixed income portfolios are often over-exposed to corporate borrowers through both anchor and satellite allocations. Additionally, these satellite allocations usually increase corporate credit risk while reducing equity diversification that fixed income is supposed to provide. Securitized credit provides higher yields and more compelling diversification benefits.
Securitized credit is a large asset class that has been largely ignored by institutional investors due to under-representation in fixed income indices, perceived complexities, and a stigma from its role in the Great Financial Crisis. While factors responsible for under-allocation to securitized credit have merits, these have caused investors to overlook the benefits of the asset class. Securitized credit provides a spread and yield premium relative to similarly rated corporate credit, diversified risk exposure to various credit and market cycles, and lower correlation to both traditional fixed income and equities. Overall, securitized credit’s attributes can help to further optimize portfolio structures.
Anyone who has gone snowmobiling knows it can be simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying. Throttling across snow and through a forest powered by a 75-horsepower engine with two plastic skis to steer makes it hard to feel like one has complete control; 30 mph in the open air feels more like 100!
Nonetheless, operating a snowmobile is pretty straightforward: The throttle is a right-thumb button, the brake is a left-hand squeeze lever. Beyond those two controls, it’s up to the driver to effectively navigate the trail, with the critical concession that the terrain is out of anyone’s complete control. Which brings me to our 2026 market outlook.
The “throttles” for portfolios are the usual constituents: equities, below investment grade credit, and private markets. The “brakes” are investment grade fixed income, particularly Treasuries which can slow a portfolio’s losses if the market tumbles. The terrain is naturally the actual path that each of these asset classes will follow in 2026. Since 2022 the equity market ride has been mostly exhilarating, save for some of the terrifying moments like the market dip after Liberation Day. But that’s in the rearview mirror, and the focus is what is around the bend. Will the thrill continue, or should we ease up on the throttle?
On Tuesday, April 28, Evan Frazier, CFA, CAIA will be speaking at Institutional Investor’s 21st Annual East Coast Sub-Advisory & Manager Research Roundtable in Boston.
Evan will be leading one of the Afternoon Think Tank sessions: The Evolution of Model Portfolio Utilization by Wealth Platforms. The Roundtable brings together leading participants in the sub-advisory and manager research landscape to assess how the investment objectives of institutions are changing and how firms that offer sub-advised strategies can respond to these needs. For more information, please visit the event webpage.
On Thursday, April 16, Jessica Noviskis, CFA spoke at the Foundation Financial Officers’ Group Spring Meeting in Chicago.
Jessica participated in a panel with fellow investment professionals entitled, “The International Equity Markets Woke Up! Now What?” described as follows: This panel discussion will delve into what caused the international markets to wake up in 2025 after years of lagging the U.S.; is this resurgence sustainable; what can institutional investors do to execute on this; and what are the investment opportunities?
The Foundation Finance Officers’ Group is a dedicated professional network for the highest level financial and investment positions at the largest foundations in the U.S. and abroad. For more information, please visit their website.
Portfolio Strategist Jessica Noviskis, CFA was featured on Bloomberg TV’s Surveillance coverage on April 10, 2026.
Jessica discussed the publication of March CPI data that morning and the week’s announcement of a ceasefire in Iran, including the outlook for interest rates at the Fed’s meeting later this month, lingering positivity among investors through bouts of volatility in recent years, expectations for the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the impact of the war on energy prices and ultimately on company earnings.
The opinions expressed herein are those of Marquette Associates, Inc. (“Marquette”), and are subject to change without notice. This material is not financial advice or an offer to purchase or sell any product. Marquette reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs.
This video is a recording of a live webinar held October 22 by Marquette’s research team analyzing the third quarter across the economy and various asset classes as well as themes we’ll be monitoring through the rest of 2025.
Our quarterly Market Insights series examines the primary asset classes we cover for clients including the U.S. economy, fixed income, U.S. and non-U.S. equities, hedge funds, real assets, and private markets, with commentary by our research analysts and directors.
Research alerts keep you updated on our latest research publications. Simply enter your contact information, choose the research alerts you would like to receive and click Subscribe. Alerts will be sent as research is published.
We respect your privacy. We will never share or sell your information.
Thank You
We appreciate your interest in Marquette Associates.
If you have questions or need further information, please contact us directly and we will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours.