A personal reflection on markets, judgment, humility, and the responsibilities of a financial advisorRam Kolluri, CFP® Exponential Wealth Management, LLC | Austin, TexasI entered the investment profession in 1980, shortly after completing an MBA in finance. I earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 1982...
Introduction: Each week, the news regarding the financial markets inundates readers with sometimes overwhelming information, with opposing views and comments that are not necessarily helpful in making informed decisions or implementing sensible strategies that suit their long-term financial goals. Each week, I hope to delve...
Everywhere you look, the media is drumming up fear of an imminent U.S. recession. But I’ve been studying the economy since the stagflation days of the 1970s—and here’s what I know: 📌 Most indicators do not support a downturn… yet the panic persists.Let me say...
1. Background: From Post-Election Optimism to Policy Shock The November 2024 U.S. presidential election triggered a strong equity rally, a stronger dollar, and rising bond yields as investors anticipated tax reform, deregulation, and pro-growth economic policy.Despite campaign warnings of potential tariffs, the markets initially discounted a...
1. Historical & Macroeconomic Context Persistent trade deficits are the norm, not the exception:U.S. moved from small surpluses in the early-1970s to a record–$971 B deficit in 2022 (≈3.8 % of GDP). Net exports have been a drag on growth for five decades, rather than being the engine of growth. Net-trade...
A Strategic Review of China’s Trade Conduct (2000–2025)1. U.S.-China Trade: Massive Growth with Structural ImbalanceBilateral trade grew from $116B (2000) to ~$583B (2018); dipped post-2019 but remains largeU.S. imports vastly outpaced exports: goods trade deficit hit $418B peak (2018)China accounts for up to 50% of...
April 2025 – Thought Leadership | Exponential Wealth Management, LLC Executive Summary The re-introduction of tariffs by former President Trump in April 2025 has reignited debates on trade, economic growth, and political strategy. As markets react sharply and global trading partners recalibrate their strategies, this article examines...
The U.S. economy in early 2025 is at an inflection point. Inflation, although off its pandemic-era highs, remains uncomfortably sticky, particularly core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation. As of February 2025, the core PCE index climbed 0.4% month-over-month and...
Since President Trump's inauguration in January 2025, financial markets have experienced volatility, primarily driven by concerns surrounding new tariff policies. The administration’s aggressive trade stance—particularly tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada—has raised alarms about inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and potential retaliatory actions...
In the world of investing, costs matter. Every dollar spent on fees and expenses is a dollar that isn't working to grow your wealth. This is why Exponential Wealth Management (EWM) prioritizes ultra-low-cost investment solutions to help our clients maximize their wealth building. Here's how...
