Stronger-than-expected U.S. job growth could challenge recent market strategies that anticipated falling interest rates. Many investors had bet on steep Fed rate cuts, pushing up Treasury prices and weakening the dollar, but Friday's labor report, which exceeded expectations, may lead to fewer cuts. 

The dollar has already rebounded sharply, while Treasury yields have risen, reversing recent declines. Some investors may now need to reconsider positions in sectors like utilities, which thrived on expectations of lower yields. 

In the broader stock market, investors could chase further gains, though rising bond yields may temper the appeal of equities. Overall, the economic data points to more uncertainty in rate predictions and market behavior.

Finsum: We don’t expect the Fed to deviate from the planned path too much, but monitoring labor markets will be key to getting a fully informed decision about future rate cuts. 

The drop in interest rates last month contributed to an over 3% rise in the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index, continuing a strong upward trend since October 2023, pushing growth to nearly 40%. In the third quarter, the index saw a notable 16.8% return, outperforming broader stock indices. 

Gains were broad, led by data centers, specialty, and office REITs, though residential REITs slightly declined. The shift in rates is also expected to bridge the gap between public and private real estate markets, potentially revitalizing commercial real estate investment. 

Active REIT managers have adjusted sector allocations, with healthcare, data centers, and telecommunications seeing increased interest. With REITs benefiting from strong balance sheets and attractive debt rates, the outlook for continued growth and activity remains positive for the coming quarters.

Finsum: We think gains are more likely to be robust in residential REITs because they are less dependent on work policies and labor market conditions.

Large ski resorts offer a unique thrill, providing ample terrain for exploration that can keep even the most avid skier busy for days. 

1. Powder Mountain in Utah tops the list of North America's largest ski resorts, with over 8,000 skiable acres, though part of it is accessed by snow cats rather than chairlifts. 
2. Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia follows closely with over 8,100 acres spread across two mountains, connected by the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak gondola. 
3. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah, offers the most lift-served terrain in the U.S., featuring 7,300 acres of slopes, and is easily accessible from Salt Lake City. 

These vast resorts provide a mix of terrain and amenities, catering to both casual visitors and serious skiers alike. Whether for the sheer size or the diverse experiences, these resorts deliver unforgettable winter adventures.

Finsum: In the last few years we have seen the season start late but continue deep into the year, this could be a new trend in mountain sports!

A JPMorgan executive has downplayed the influence of the political pushback against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in the U.S., stating that it has minimal impact on the country's green economy. 

Chuka Umunna, JPMorgan’s head of sustainable solutions, explained that although discussions around sustainability have quieted, U.S. investors are still allocating capital in ways similar to their European counterparts. He stressed that despite the politicization of ESG, the underlying investment behavior remains largely the same, though the terminology may differ. 

Umunna pointed out that while there has been an increase in anti-ESG resolutions, the vast majority failed to pass, with less than 2% succeeding. He added that the primary obstacles for U.S. businesses are more related to inflation, supply chain disruptions, and high interest rates than ESG challenges.

Finsum: While there is little doubt that ESG has slowed down, the long-term viability of these strategies is very clear

While nontraded real estate investment trusts (REITs) have faced another challenging year, financial advisors are seeing a rise in sales of alternative investments overall. By August, financial advisors sold $76.6 billion of illiquid alternatives, including nontraded REITs, business development companies (BDCs), interval funds, and private placements. 

This amount matches 2023's total, with projections indicating the industry will surpass $115 billion by the end of 2024. Sales of nontraded REITs have notably decreased to $4.2 billion in the first eight months, compared to their peak of over $33 billion in 2022. 

However, BDCs have overtaken REITs as the most popular alternative investment sold, with $23.7 billion in sales through August. Blackstone Inc. leads in nontraded REIT and BDC sales this year.

Finsum: There is still an elevated risk premium built into most non-treasury rates right currently but REITs could see a bounce back with that falling soon.