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2025 By the Numbers

It is once again that most joyous time of year where we step back to take time with our families, reflect on the accomplishments of the year that has passed and we, the authors, have the pleasure of writing another “By the Numbers” article. This year we saw the impact of tariffs, attempted and actual assassinations, hostage releases, space rescues, a Chicago Pope, airplane crashes, wildfires, wild swings in the market, a government shutdown, deportations, protests, and the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence that made 2025 one for the books.  Here are some numbers that help to tell that story: $18.81 Trillion – Dollars invested in ETFs globally. Assets have increased 26.7% year-to-date.1 $878 Billion – Dollar value of Elon Musk’s pay package at Tesla, approved by shareholders in November.  In order for Musk to realize the full amount, Tesla market capitalization must rise in value from $1.5 trillion to...

04.05.2023
All Eyes on the Banks

All Eyes on the Banks

Following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, banking regulators appeared on Capitol Hill last week. Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Barr and FDIC Chair Gruenberg testified before the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees about the recent bank failures. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation estimates it will cost $22.5 billion to backstop both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, guaranteeing all deposits.   After the initial shock of these bank failures and the heightened sensitivity around bank holdings, the market rapidly adjusted to the new risks with the quickest monetary tightening in 44 years. Still, banks face several headwinds. First, the yield curve remains inverted—longer-term interest rates are lower than short-term rates. For example, the 10-year Treasury is yielding 3.38%, while the Fed Funds rate is 5%. This inversion is the largest in 42 years. It is generally viewed as a bearish signal for the economy,...