Category: Commentary/Video
231 posts categorized as "Commentary/Video"
15May
Stock Market Tantrums

Astor’s CEO, Rob Stein, and CIO, John Eckstein, discuss changes in labor market, updates on the Fed, and recent stock market tantrums.
29Apr
Breaking down the latest GDP report and the outlook for the Fed in this week’s Astor Economic Week in Review

CIO, John Eckstein, and Research Partner, Nick Porter, dive deep into the latest GDP report and outlook for the Fed.
18Apr
The Strength of the Economy at the start of Q2

CIO, John Eckstein, and Research Associate, Nick Porter, discuss Inflation, CPI, PPI Final Demand, and the Fed. AIM-4/18/22-OP560
7Apr
April 2022 Update on the U.S. Economy
The Astor Economic Index continued its slide in March, consistent with our reading of a cooling but still strong economy. The domestic macroeconomic outlook is at an interesting crossroads, with persistent inflation, negative real wages, and high input costs on one hand, and very strong labor market dynamics, corporate earnings, and solid output growth on…
5Apr
Employment Report Discussion

Discussion Topics: Overall Strength of Economy Jobs Report Fed Moves AIM-4/4/22-OP554
4Apr
Commodity Market Update – Q1 2022
Many of the most visible commodities – energies and grains – appreciated a great deal during the first quarter as shown in the charts below for eight of the more well known commodity contracts. There are macro factors both boosting and restraining commodity prices: On the bullish for commodities side: Shift in the composition…
21Mar
Latest Updates on the Fed and the U.S. Economy

Astor’s CIO, John Eckstein, and research partner, Nick Porter, discuss the latest Fed and U.S. Economy updates. AIM-3/21/22-OP553
11Mar
March 2022 Update on the U.S. Economy
With the ebbing of the global pandemic, one may have hoped February would mark the beginning of business as usual and a return to focusing on supply chains and other macroeconomic fundamentals. Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine has added another exogenous shock to the system. We’ll delve into the U.S. economic situation below, and touch…
8Mar
Insights into the latest unemployment report and the effect of the war in Ukraine on US inflation.

Astor’s CIO, John Eckstein, and Research Partner, Nick Porter, discuss the latest unemployment report and the effect of the war in Ukraine on US inflation. AIM-3/7/22-OP549
28Feb
Will the war in Ukraine derail the US economy? The Astor research team debate.

John Eckstein, CIO at AIM, and his research partner, Nick Porter, dive deep into how and if the Ukraine and Russian war will impact the US economy. AIM-2/28/22-OP545
11Feb
The latest on inflation from the Astor Research Team

CIO, John Eckstein, and Research Partner, Nick Porter, discuss changes in the U.S economy and the latest updates on inflation. AIM-2/11/22-OP541
11Feb
February 2022 Update on the U.S. Economy
January proved an exciting month for macroeconomic data, with some clarity gained on the near-term trajectory of the U.S. economy and the state of inflation. We’ll begin with the Astor Economic Index, which has begun to move down rather precipitously of late. Although the AEI’s movement over the past month might make for a concerning…
8Feb
Was the latest payroll report as strong as it seems?

John Eckstein and Bryan Novak break down the latest payroll report.
21Jan
Protected: Astor 2021 Review Call with Rob Stein
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
21Jan
Inflation and The Fed

Inflation and the Fed is the topic of this week’s podcast. Plus: why January’s data may be the worst in months. With Chief Investment Officer, John Eckstein, and Research Associate, Nick Porter. AIM-1/21/22-OP523
15Jan
January 2022 Update on the U.S. Economy
As usual, we’ll be looking at recent economic data this month, but we’ll also expand on some of the themes we’ve seen this year and look ahead to our base case for 2022. It’s worth noting that our portfolio decisions are made by the current state of the U.S. economy, rather than any forecast, but…
13Jan
Payroll Numbers 2022

Topics Covered: Disappointing payroll number made up for by a substantial household number When adjusting the household survey to match the same concepts as the establishment survey there has been a relatively big gap over the last 1 1/2 years and that gap is closing quickly Less acceleration this quarter than the previous quarter Payroll numbers…
17Dec
Fed’s Latest Policy Shift: Astor Economic Week in Review

Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell, press conference summarized by Astor CIO, John Eckstein, and Research Associate, Nick Porter AIM-12/17/21-OP505
16Dec
The Logical Economist – Rob Stein

Rob Stein, Former Federal Reserve Analyst and CEO/Founder of Astor Investment Management discusses his views on potential unintended, permanent economic outcomes from the pandemic, super inflation and what investors can expect over the next 1-5 years.
14Dec
Inflation Isn’t The Biggest Problem
Is the recent spike in inflation data and recent price moves in many products and commodities transitory? Is the reopening of supply chain disruptions going to relieve shortages? When is the Fed going to act? These questions are being debated more than ever, with both sides digging in on their views. To be honest, I…