Improving Financial Security During the Current Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating economic effect worldwide on both personal health and finances. It is during these times of crisis that elevated uncertainty and volatility can cause significant stress when considering the long-term effects an event like this could have on your economic well-being.
(more…)Read MoreWESCAP’s Mid-April Take on the Coronavirus Outbreak and Investment Implications
Summary: Covid-19 appears to be retreating. Many countries can begin to reopen large parts of their economies in the next month or two. Much of the economic damage is still unknown, but it could be worse than expected, though it may reverse fairly quickly. There is a good chance that stock prices saw their lows in late March, but some additional price risk may reappear as economic fears reach a maximum over the next few months.
(more…)Read MoreHow the CARES Act Will Affect You
On Friday, March 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act, was signed into law. This legislation provides roughly $2 trillion of economic relief to individuals, corporations, and small businesses during this time of crisis while so many businesses are closed and individuals are out of work. This is equal to about 10% of annual domestic economic activity. This exceeds previous fiscal stimulus measures in the U.S. by far. Such massive stimulus will go a long way towards preserving family finances and the U.S. economy over the course of the Coronavirus pandemic. We expect additional stimulus, as needed. In addition to providing economic stimulus to businesses and corporations, below are some of the ways in which this bill could affect you:
(more…)Read MoreWESCAP Update 3/17/2020: Current Coronavirus Outbreak
We stated in an earlier update that “it looks less likely than before that COVID-19 can be contained before it spreads to much of the world.” There was an opportunity even then for governments to take actions to mitigate its spread. Those opportunities were squandered. Two weeks later, the virus has spread to much of the world and is now considered a pandemic.
(more…)Read MoreWESCAP’s Take on the Current Coronavirus Outbreak
Summary: Covid-19 appears to be spreading more rapidly than first thought, but with a lower mortality rate as well. Therefore, a worldwide pandemic would be temporarily debilitating, but not likely to have a material long-term impact on most global economies and asset prices. Headline news risk and stock price volatility will remain high until the virus peaks and shows evidence of receding.
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