TAM Market Pulse: Tom Wald

As summer fades into fall, what do recent job market changes mean for the economy? In this new Market Pulse podcast, Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald analyzes unexpected job market revisions and their potential to lead to three rate cuts in 2025. Despite the cooling labor market, find out why stocks remain resilient and how these changes might pave the way for an economic “sweet s...

After navigating some turbulence following “Liberation Day” on April 2, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500®, and the Nasdaq composite have pushed toward record highs. Is the latest bull run sustainable for the remainder of 2025 and beyond? Join Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald for a new Market Pulse podcast as he discusses four market catalysts that could help stock...

Markets often seek to climb a “Wall of worry,” and they had plenty of climbing to do in the first half of 2025. Despite tariff uncertainty, continued interest-rate debate, and escalating conflict in the Middle East, the markets performed relatively well in the first half of the year. So what’s on tap for the rest of 2025? Look ahead with a new Market Pulse from Transamerica Asset Management, Inc.,...

The S&P 500 was soaring on February 19, hitting a record-high close. It didn’t take long for things to turn south. As President Trump follows through on previously delayed tariffs on Canada and Mexico and increasing existing tariffs on China, the markets have taken a downturn. But is there a silver lining? Join Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald for a new Market Pulse podcast as...

The old saying goes, “Markets don’t always go up because of what happens, but often because of what doesn’t happen.” The past year saw markets move higher while several expectations entering 2024 did not come to fruition. A recession did not occur, the economy did not stop growing, corporate earnings did not fall flat, inflation did not climb again, the Fed did not eschew rate cuts, and the presid...

Funny thing about the markets — sometimes they behave in ways that correspond with the general aura of events occurring in the world around them. As fall begins, is this one of those times? Join Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald for a new Market Pulse podcast as he discusses an array of forces that could potentially impact the markets in the coming months. Topics include what’s nex...

After an eventful first half of 2024, what can investors expect over the rest of the year? In a new Market Pulse , Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald discusses his 2024 Mid-Year Market Outlook and provides in-depth analysis of the U.S. economy, equity and fixed income markets, and international stocks. Tom offers his year-end forecasts for GDP growth, the S&P 500®, and interest...

The most recent bear market appears to have come and gone, and stocks have rallied to reach all-time highs amid concerns about a possible recession, inflation, corporate earnings, interest rates, and election year uncertainties. In fact, the S&P 500® has seen an upside move of 50% since October of 2022, when the bear bottomed out. Are the market’s current tailwinds enough to push stocks even h...

It’s understandable if some investors feel these days a little like Charlie Brown trying to kick a football, only to see Lucy pull it away at the last second to send Charlie flying. As inflation reports continue to raise eyebrows and market volatility increases, the Federal Reserve and the economy may keep everyone guessing a bit longer. Tom Wald, Chief Investment Officer of Transamerica Asset Man...

Things are not all rainbows and puppy dogs these days, but growth for the U.S. economy and corporate earnings has looked stronger early in 2024 than most expected. And with these surprising numbers comes revised expectations. In his newest Market Pulse podcast, Tom Wald, CFA® and CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., updates his yearly forecast for stocks and the economy. Tom discusses what...

How will markets respond to a potential recession in 2024? Where should fixed income investors be in the year ahead? What catalysts may push U.S. stocks to record highs, and where should we expect interest rates to be in a year. Look forward to 2024 with the latest Market Pulse podcast with Tom Wald, CFA® and CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc. Hear Tom discuss his recently published Transa...

In recent weeks, long-term interest rates surged before reversing course. Economic data was strong, then slowed. Stocks corrected and then rallied. How do investors make sense of all this? In his latest Market Pulse podcast, Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald explores the crosscurrents swirling in the current market environment and the forces influencing them. Those include the Fede...

What should investors make of the recent market sell-off? What has the sharp increase in long-term interest rates meant for stocks and bonds? Has the inverted yield curve finally begun to dis-invert? Finally, could there be a meaningful difference between the Federal Reserve’s expectations for future interest rates and their actual path? In a new Market Pulse , Tom Wald, Transamerica Asset Managem...

Halfway through 2023, is it “game on” for investors? Last year’s brutal bear market compelled many to get out of the game, and we are not out of the woods yet. But what happened over the past six months has left much for investors to consider. And the message the current market environment may be sending to those who went to the sideline in 2022 is less about whether long-term opportunities are ou...

At the conclusion of its May meeting, the Federal Reserve did not clearly indicate if it plans to raise interest rates again in June or pause and potentially conclude the current tightening cycle. Or did it? Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., shares his perspective on what actions the Fed may or may not take next in a new Market Pulse . Tom examines rationale the Fed could use a...

The Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates again in March was expected. The collapse of two respected banks was not. These are interesting times indeed for investors, and questions abound. Has a crisis been averted? Is this another 2008 scenario? Will a recession begin by year-end? How severe would a recession be if one occurs? And what can investors expect next from the Fed, as well a...

The market landscape changed over the first two months of 2023, and investor expectations followed. Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., breaks down everything that transpired during the past two months in a new Market Pulse , looking closely at the primary areas of investor concern and what it means for stock and bond markets going forward. Is recession no longer a foregone concl...

Good riddance, 2022. That’s probably how many investors feel about the end to a year that saw stocks and bonds suffer meaningful losses. And as they look forward to 2023, investors are probably asking if we’ve “outrun the bear,” so to speak, and whether they should stay on their current course. Good questions. In a new Market Pulse , Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., discusses...

There have been few places for stock and bond investors to hide over the past 12 months, but is there reason to believe markets may react more favorably in 2023? In his latest Market Pulse , Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., explores what wary investors should be watching as the calendar turns, including interest rates, inflation, and the potential impact of recent midterm elec...

A September sell-off sent stocks stumbling to their lowest point since November 2020, and longer-term bond yields, as measured by the 10-year Treasury rate, reached their highest levels since March of 2008. There’s no doubt it has been a rough year for weary investors who, by now, must be asking, what’s next? In his new Market Pulse , Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald examines the...

A few rough months for the stock and credit markets have turned into a summer rebound. What’s driving the turnaround, and can investors expect it to continue? And should concerns about inflation, recession, and a bear market give way to a renewed sense of optimism? In a new “ Market Pulse ,” Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald discusses the current landscape by looking at all the goo...

U.S. stocks declined into bear market territory, inflation reached heights not seen in 40 years, and the possibility of a recession looms large. The first half of 2022 was certainly eventful. Can investors expect things to change anytime soon? Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., looks ahead to the second half of the year in a new “ Market Pulse. ” Hear Tom recap his recently publ...

It’s the question on the minds of every investor these days, but we may need to look at it a couple of ways. First, based on how the economy contracted in Q1 2022, are we on an immediate path toward recession occurring in the next few months? And second, will today’s rising interest rates and rising inflation combine to eventually drive us into recession by the end of 2023? In a new “Market Pulse,...

War, inflation, higher interest rates, slower short-term economic growth, and recession fears have taken a toll on the markets in recent weeks. Where does the path forward lie? In a new “Market Pulse,” Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., discusses recent developments and what investors need to know. Should they brace for more volatility? Will inflation begin to cool anytime soon?...

Are we entering a time of transition? One with changes in market leadership among asset classes or individual market segments? Changes in time horizons? Changes in what investors worry about? At times like these, investors seek clarity among contrasting perspectives as they try to interpret the data that’s emerging today. In a new “Market Pulse,” Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc...