EquityCompass

06/11/2026

Inflation Resurfaces, Fixed Income Perspectives – June 2026
For at least the next several months, inflation will likely remain the key driver of both the direction of interest rates and the shape of the Treasury yield curve. A sustainable resolution to the Iran conflict would likely bring down inflation and return bond yields to their previous levels. In that scenario, the yield curve would likely revert to its prior steepening trend. Conversely, a prolonged stalemate or escalation in hostilities may continue to drive up energy costs and put additional upward pressure on inflation and bond yields. Under those conditions, further curve flattening would be expected. See the data…https://www.equitycompass.com/content/Insights/content/demasi_fixed_income_perspectives_june2026.pdf

05/23/2026

This weekend, we remember those who served and sacrificed. Thank you to the heroes who gave everything for our country.

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while but their hearts forever." Happy Mother's Day from the EquityCompass team!

04/29/2026

The appropriate level of balance in an individual’s investment portfolio is unique and will be guided by their own level of risk tolerance. However, the virtue of balancing exposure to various asset classes—such as owning both growth and income generating equities—has become increasingly evident. In our article, "A Balancing Act," we use a pairing of two EquityCompass portfolios—the Global Leaders Portfolio (GLP) and the High-Dividend Portfolio (HIDIV)—to demonstrate the effectiveness of owning equal parts growth and income over several time periods. This barbell approach has generated returns that are in line with, if not better than, the broader market as defined by the S&P 500 and the S&P 500 Equal Weight indices over the past several years. It did so with a higher cash dividend income yield, which tends to include the added benefit of reduced volatility in times of market stress. Read the article...https://www.equitycompass.com/content/Insights/content/mutascio_a_balancing_act_april2026.pdf

04/14/2026

Like Ulysses in Homer's Odyssey, many investors are not perfectly rational and periodically need to lasso themselves to the mast when seas become rough. Investors who successfully reached their long-term financial goals were not necessarily the ones who avoided every storm, but the ones who stayed in the boat. Read the article:https://www.equitycompass.com/content/Insights/content/hagstrom_bind_me_to_the_mast_april2026.pdf

03/30/2026

Riding Out the Storm, Fixed Income Perspectives – March 2026
During periods of economic uncertainty and financial market stress, high-grade bonds have historically helped to reduce the return volatility of diversified investment portfolios. The risk management attributes of fixed income securities were clearly evident in the first quarter, as the military conflict in Iran triggered turbulence across the broader financial markets and threatened to slow the global economy. On a year-to-date basis through March 25, the U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (AGG) outperformed the major U.S. equity indices by a significant margin, including a 325 basis point (bps) positive performance differential compared to the S&P 500 Index. View the data…https://www.equitycompass.com/content/Insights/content/demasi_fixed_income_perspectives_march2026.pdf

03/23/2026

EquityCompass colleagues recently got together for our annual team dinner in Baltimore to enjoy a fun evening of bonding outside of the office. The gathering was also an opportunity to recognize a major milestone for Chief Investment Officer, Robert Hagstrom, CFA. As Senior Portfolio Manager for the Global Leaders Portfolio, Robert’s stewardship has seen the portfolio grow to over $1 billion in assets since its inception in 2014. Congratulations to Robert on this significant achievement!

03/19/2026

A Decade of Addressing the Challenges of Retirement
As the Core Retirement Portfolio (CRP) reaches its 10-year milestone, we are happy to report that the portfolio has more than met its mandate by providing consistent retirement income amid various market and economic conditions throughout the period.
View the 10-year brochure:
https://www.equitycompass.com/content/crp-anniversaryissue.pdf
View the 10-year presentation:
https://www.equitycompass.com/content/crp-presentation.pdf

03/09/2026

Give to Gain - Investing in Herself
Whether through time, energy, finances, or emotional support, women help to uplift others, especially those whom they care for so deeply. As a wife and working mom of three, I appreciate that at the end of the day, amid our constant desire to give to others, there may not be much left in the tank to focus on ourselves. The challenge for women is to recognize that long-term financial planning is one of the most significant ways to contribute not only to themselves but also to their children and grandchildren as future generations. Read the article:https://www.equitycompass.com/content/Insights/content/loughlin_give_to_gain_march2026.pdf