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August 4, 2026

by Mark Carlton, CFA®

Trademark Quarterly Commentary 2Q.2026

Summary Stocks roared back from a disappointing first quarter with a 14.1% gain in the second quarter.  That brought the year-to-date return up to 10.2%.  Technology did the heavy lifting – that sector rose 41.4% while the other ten sectors lagged the S&P 500’s gain.  In a complete reversal from the first quarter, energy was […]
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Investment Insights for Advisors

Ongoing market commentary and portfolio research from the team that manages the portfolios — designed to support the conversations you have with clients.

Market Perspective

Commentary on the events moving markets, written as the news develops. Each update gives advisors context for timely client conversations.

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Portfolio Strategy

Longer-form research on portfolio construction — asset allocation, structure, and how we manage risk across stocks, bonds, and beyond.

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Quarterly Perspective

A deeper review published each quarter — the events that mattered, the themes beneath them, and what we are watching next.

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The Trademark Take

A weekly look at the charts our investment team is watching, and what they suggest for portfolio management.

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Our Latest Insights

July 16, 2012

by Mark Carlton, CFA®

Market Perspective for 7/16/12

July Unemployment: Fourth consecutive disappointing report.  The trend is confirmed.  This is going to put pressure on the Federal...
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May 18, 2012

by Mark Carlton, CFA®

Notes from the 2012 CFA Conference

The conference was opened on Sunday May 6th by James Montier of Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo (GMO) who came into Chicago (where the...
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April 30, 2012

by Mark Carlton, CFA®

Follow-up on Benchmarks

In the 4Q12 Quarterly Perspective I wrote that benchmarks can be misleading.  I referred to the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial...
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