John Calamos

Reading the Tea Leaves: Markets on the Edge of Order and Chaos

Nora Everett, John Calamos, Sarah Ketterer, Bob Krischef, Morris Mark, Cliff Robbins

Prominent investment strategists including John Calamos, Bob Krischef, and Cliff Robbins analyze the U.S. economy as a mid-cycle environment characterized by shallow recovery and persistent low rates rather than imminent recession. The panel identifies key themes for 2015-16 such as "friendly" corporate activism, the deconglomerization of firms, and demographic shifts driving demand in healthcare and defense, while highlighting specific opportunities in investment-grade CLOs and high-quality energy debt. Final recommendations include selecting companies with fortress balance sheets like Investors Bank Corp and Apple, or utilizing convertible bonds and utilities to navigate volatility in rising interest rate environments.