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Experts offer their insights on the U.S. and global markets.

Successful investing begins with being informed. Read the insights of top Schwab professionals and keep up with the daily flux of the stock market.


Market Commentary

Schwab Market Update

Fed Decision Awaited with Hike Odds Seen Above 90%

The Fed rate decision is today at 2 p.m. ET, and futures trading puts hike odds above 90%. It would be the first since 2023. Yields hit 19-year highs Tuesday and oil rose again.
September 16, 2026
Schwab Market Update: The Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.

Fed Rate Decision Awaited with Hike Odds Above 90%

Stocks rose on sinking oil before the Fed's 2 p.m. ET decision. Futures trading puts odds of a first hike since 2023 above 90%. Chairman Warsh's comments are eagerly awaited.
September 16, 2026
Schwab Market Update

Fed Awaited After Yields Top 5%, Oil Spins Higher

Tomorrow is expected to bring the first Federal Reserve rate hike since 2023. Oil spiked and tech stocks stumbled Monday amid AI slowdown fears. The 10-year yield topped 5%.
September 15, 2026

European Stocks: Reasons to Reconsider

European equities may have support from global growth, improving fundamentals, lower relative valuations, and fiscal spending—plus diversification from the AI cycle.
September 14, 2026
Schwab Market Update

Week Begins with Rate Hike Odds High After CPI

Last Friday's 0.3% monthly core CPI growth for August raised chances of a Fed rate hike Wednesday. Data is thin, so oil and a possible test of 5% for the 10-year note could be key.
September 14, 2026
The Schwab Market Update weekly digest offers a summary of news items from the past week.

Traders React Pre-Fed as Oil and Rates Climb

A possible Fed hike puts tech in focus, oil climbs past $100 with hurricane risk looming, and retail traders grow more selective while bitcoin holds a pivotal level.
September 11, 2026
Schwab Market Update

CPI Ahead: Hot Reading Could Lift Rate Hike Odds

Today's Consumer Price Index for August is expected to show monthly CPI up 0.4% and core CPI up 0.2%. More energized readings might increase odds of a rate hike next week.
September 11, 2026
Schwab Market Update

After Three-Day Slide, Traders Await Key PPI Data

August PPI is due at 8:30 a.m ET and precedes CPI Friday. Both have Fed rate implications. Stocks fell early this week on rising oil and yields. Oracle and Adobe report later.
September 10, 2026

Take a Hike: Rate Hikes and Market Impacts

History suggests slower Fed tightening tends to support stronger market returns and firmer economic growth, while faster hikes typically deepen drawdowns.
September 9, 2026
A multi-colored illustration of different line graphs undulating back and forth, but generally pointing higher, along the same scale.

The MOVE Index and Why It Might Matter

The MOVE Index, a.k.a. the "VIX of bonds," helps investors track volatility across U.S. Treasuries. Sometimes, it can signal future action in equities.
September 9, 2026

Buy, Hold, Sell: What Analyst Stock Ratings Mean

Research analysts assign buy, sell, hold, and other ratings to stocks in their research reports. Here's what these stock ratings mean, and how investors can use them.
September 8, 2026
An illustration of a woman blowing a huge bubble containing a dollar sign.

What Is a Market Bubble?

Famous market bubbles share some characteristics, but it's nearly impossible to predict how big a bubble might get and when one is about to burst.
September 3, 2026

Songs of Experience: Reminiscences of a Strategist

It's been 40 years since I began my career on Wall Street and the lessons I learned along the way from some all-time investment greats always hold true.
September 3, 2026
An image showing rising interest rates impact on options prices, with a call placard shown rising, while a put placard is shown falling. Rising rates benefit call values but hurt put values.

How Interest Rate Movements Affect Options Prices

Interest rates have an important effect on options prices, especially when rates are high. The options greek rho measures the impact of rates and can help when evaluating options.
August 27, 2026
Cartoon illustration of a soft pillow gradually falling through the air but making a sudden, hard collision with the ground upon landing.

Hard-Hitting 'Soft' Data: Why Surveys Matter

'Soft' reports like sentiment and confidence don't reflect 'hard' data like GDP or CPI. Still, they can affect markets and come with various strengths and weaknesses to consider.
August 25, 2026
A cartoon image of a globe, with a keyhole in Europe, being approached by a large metal key.

ADRs Walk and Talk Like S&P 500 Stocks, but Aren't

Some of the largest tech stocks aren't traded on the S&P 500, though they trade on U.S. markets and affect Wall Street sentiment. ADRs are familiar stocks with unfamiliar pedigrees.
August 19, 2026
A calendar is displayed with coins on one date and a Post-It note with the words "early exercise" written on it on an earlier date. The image represents a trader deciding whether they should exercise an option early due to the underlying stock's upcoming dividend.

Understanding Dividend Risk: Basics and Examples

When holding a short call option on a dividend-paying stock, traders should understand how dividend risk can affect options pricing, early assignment, and strategy outcomes.
August 17, 2026

Schwab Market Perspective

Our point of view on recent market and economic activity.
August 14, 2026

Geopolitical Uncertainty and Your Portfolio

Geopolitical developments at home and abroad could have longer-lasting impacts on the markets. Here, three experts discuss what it all means for investors.
August 14, 2026
Image of a "shell game: with ball and cups

Bonds vs. Bond Funds: Which is Right for You?

Not sure which to choose? Here are some things to consider about individual bonds versus bond funds.
August 13, 2026

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