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 he discusses the shift in sentiment and where things might go from here. Despite the recent volatil...
Mar 14, 2025•18 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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 presidential election did not deteriorate into a drawn-out period of uncertainty. Today, the question is, ...
Dec 12, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 6
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 next for Federal Reserve monetary policy and the interest rate environment, current stock catalysts, th...
Sep 11, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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 rates. He compares the positioning of growth and value stocks in the current environment, talks abou...
Jul 12, 2024•24 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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 higher, or is its resilience already reflected in current prices, making now the time to expect a pul...
Jun 05, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 3
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 Management, Inc., uses his latest Market Pulse to discuss recent changes to his interest rate forecasts...
Apr 25, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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 he expects for gross domestic product growth this year, and why he no longer believes a recession is...
Mar 07, 2024•17 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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 Transamerica 2024 Market Outlook and his thoughts on what investors need to know about the U.S. economy, i...
Dec 20, 2023•19 min
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 Federal Reserve’s recent decision to leave interest rates unchanged, the immediate future for economic g...
Nov 09, 2023•16 min
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 Management, Inc., Chief Investment Officer, discusses the market impacts and paths forward following a vola...
Oct 06, 2023•21 min
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 out there, and more about what the best ones might be. In his latest Market Pulse , Transamerica Asset...
Jul 20, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 4
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 as it considers ending rate hikes, and he looks at whether recent developments have made a recession ...
May 12, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 3
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 as the stock and bond markets? Transamerica Asset Management (TAM) CIO Tom Wald discusses the backgro...
Apr 03, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 2
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 conclusion? How stubborn can we expect inflation to be? How likely — or more to the point, unlikely — is ...
Mar 03, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 1
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 his recently published “Transamerica 2023 Market Outlook,” and breaks down the major opportunities, ...
Dec 21, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 8
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 elections. Markets are the great discounter of future events, and history has shown us that when investo...
Dec 08, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 7
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 four main culprits behind the bear market — inflation, interest rates, recession risk, and corporate...
Oct 07, 2022•25 min•Season 3Ep. 6
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 good news unfolding as well as the bad, which, in some ways, may not have been as bad as some expected ...
Aug 17, 2022•22 min•Season 3Ep. 5
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 published Transamerica 2022 Mid-Year Market Outlook and discuss what’s next for the markets, the economy...
Jul 12, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 4
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,” Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., takes on each question, offering his insight...
May 16, 2022•29 min•Season 3Ep. 3
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? And is the U.S. economy at serious risk of falling into a recession? Tom covers each topic, and muc...
Mar 28, 2022•42 min•Season 3Ep. 2
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., discusses rising inflation and interest rates, COVID 19, the case for economic growth and corpora...
Feb 15, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 1
There is no shortage of matters for investors to fret over as the new year begins. COVID-19 variants and inflation are formidable market opponents, but prospects for economic growth are apparent, as well, and how the markets respond in the coming months will be fascinating to see. In his new Market Pulse , Tom Wald, CIO for Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., provides his market outlook for 2022 by looking closely at the economy, stocks, interest rates and Fed policy, income strategies, interna...
Dec 16, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 9
As major stock indexes continue to reach record highs, investors also see a series market concerns that include COVID-19, inflation, Federal Reserve policy, slowing economic growth, and dysfunction in Washington. These concerns and their potential impacts have left many asking — why are stocks continuing to rise? In his new “Market Pulse,” Transamerica Asset Management CIO Tom Wald looks closely at each topic to provide investors with insight they may find very interesting. 1912535 11/21...
Nov 12, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 8
We’ve entered October, a historically scary time for investors. A look back reveals some frightening ghosts have appeared at this time of year, including a few unforgettable market crashes. Should investors really fear October, or is opportunity about to jump out from behind that door? In his latest “Market Pulse,” Tom Wald, Transamerica Asset Management CIO, discusses events past and present that shape where the economy and markets are today. And there is a lot to discuss — volatility, interest...
Oct 08, 2021•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
When it comes to COVID-19, things can change fast. The recent surge in cases due to the Delta variant has changed the conversation from early in the summer of 2021, when occurrences were at their lowest since the pandemic’s early days. This abrupt increase figures to impact the markets and the economy — the question is how? In his new “Market Pulse,” Transamerica Asset Management CIO Tom Wald offers his opinions, diving deep into what the Delta variant could mean for stocks, the economy, Fed pol...
Aug 17, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 5
We’re midway through the year, and there is a lot going on. In his new podcast, Tom Wald, CIO of Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., explores the economy, stocks, the credit markets, interest rates, inflation, and other topics that are occupying investors as we look forward to the rest of 2021. Tom discusses the Transamerica 2021 Mid-Year Market Outlook he recently completed. He also looks at the true psychology of the markets right now and whether it represents a net opportunity or risk to inv...
Jul 01, 2021•37 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Inflation has reemerged from the non-threatening rates of the past decade to become a gripping development with which markets must contend. How surprised should we have been when April’s CPI made its highest monthly jump since 2013? Are we looking at a substantial change in the long-term trend, or will current rates be transitory in nature and return to their previously benign levels in the not-too-distant future? Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald takes a close look at the inflat...
Jun 04, 2021•26 min•Season 2Ep. 3
How things have changed since 2021 began. Many of the biggest concerns that occupied investors when the calendar turned are no longer the worries they were, and they are now becoming market catalysts. Yet with these catalysts a new wall of worry has emerged, giving investors plenty to think about as they weigh opportunities ahead. In his new podcast, Transamerica Asset Management, Inc., CIO Tom Wald discusses the prospects of rising inflation, interest rates, infrastructure spending, and other f...
Apr 29, 2021•32 min
The internal battle being fought within the markets right now presents investors with inherent contradictions. On the one hand, economic and corporate earnings growth is exceeding previous expectations, which the markets should like. However, the resulting rise in long-term interest rates and subsequent risk of modestly higher inflation is something they are not cheering. These developments were not on the landscape when the calendar turned to 2021, but they now occupy the attention of investors...
Mar 10, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 2
