Professional investors face a persistent challenge. Macro data describes where the economy has been, not where it’s going. Still, markets move ahead of the macro cycle. Understanding that gap can help investors sharpen allocation timing and interpret weak data in context. In early 2023, for example, equities rallied even as the ISM Manufacturing Index stayed below 50 and recession calls mounted. That pattern is not an anomaly. Financial conditions often lead, influencing liquidity and sentiment well before the real economy adjusts. For portfolio managers, the edge lies in spotting those turning points early and ... (full story)