Highlights:

• The temporary trade deal with China paused reciprocal tariffs for 90 days. Details are still emerging.

• The U.S. effective tariff rate is down to 13.1% from 22.8%, according to Fitch Ratings.

• In a separate report, annual consumer prices decelerated to 2.3%, the lowest since early 2021.

• The release of tension on trades proved a positive catalyst for investors, but the fog has not fully cleared.

“Lake Geneva added great equanimity to what was a very positive process.” – Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

Appearing before the press, Bessent rep

As most of the large cap homebuilders have reported quarterly earnings, we think it’s a good time to check in on the industry, and whether the sell-off fully reflects the near-term headwinds they are facing. The “Big 4” S&P 500 Homebuilding Index (D.R. Horton (DHI), Lennar Corp (LEN), PulteGroup Inc. (PHM), and NVR Inc. (NVR)) is down 34% from its October 2024 peak and 11% year to date (YTD); relative to the S&P 500, which is down 3.8% and 6.2% over the same periods, respectively. Earnings call commentary from management teams over the past few weeks has provided investors with a view into the macroeconomic uncertain

Spring break came and went, and market watchers will soon turn their calendars and put April in the history books. This month, U.S. stocks experienced record trading volume, historic intra-day price swings, and widespread technical damage as a storm of uncertainty fueled a sharp equity market sell-off. Nonetheless, stocks held tough. At Monday’s closing bell with two trading sessions remaining this month, the S&P 500 was only 1.5% below where it began in April, clawing back a month-to-date decline that reached as deep as 11.5%.

Historically, April is one of the top three performing months on the calendar, alongside Nove

Playbook Summary:

• Headline risk is especially acute during periods of uncertainty.

• Some countries, like Germany, are more vulnerable to trade wars than others.

• Broad-based tariffs create more economic inefficiencies than specific tariffs on emerging industries.

• Trade uncertainty could delay capital spending, as was the case in the months preceding the election.

• The fluidity of exceptions makes it difficult to forecast inflation, creating volatility in fixed income markets.

The Man Who Moves Markets

Apparently, President Trump is a man who can move markets, both to t