LPL Research

Downgraded large/small foreign equities to negative/neutral from neutral. Downgraded industrial metals to neutral from neutral/positive. Downgraded agriculture to negative/neutral from neutral.

Rates may be poised to rise further in the second half of 2018, though likely at a slower pace than the first half of the year.

The global growth story remains steady in 2018, with growth forecast at 3.8%.

The current environment looks favorable for strong earnings and stock gains.

The Executive Summary highlights key themes and LPL Research economic and market forecasts from Midyear Outlook 2018: The Plot Thickens

The LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2018: The Plot Thickens provides insightful commentary to help you navigate the rest of the year.

The LPL Research team proudly presents the Midyear Outlook 2018: The Plot Thickens, with investment insights and market guidance covering the rest of the year.

“Economic reports released in June 2018, largely reflecting economic activity in May, showed continued solid economic growth in the U.S. and provided evidence of a pickup in growth from seasonally weak first quarter levels.”

Although we believe investors will be spared an all-out trade war, spreads across fixed income sectors are pointing to heightened trade concerns.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated in the last month, but negotiation still remains the main path forward.