Blog Investment Management
Last year we wrote a blog on Series I Savings bonds, also known as I-Bonds. At the time, they offered an appealing interest rate of 9.62% due to the high inflation rate. We wrote, “If you have extra cash on the sidelines over your rainy-day fund, consider purchasing I-Bonds to help your money keep up…
Read More
Stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, rose for the second quarter in a row but remain in a year-long trading range. The second largest bank failure in U.S. history quickly changed bond yields. Markets were priced for interest rate cuts by the end of 2023. The dramatic change in interest rate expectations caused a…
Read More
In light of recent events in the banking sector, we wanted to provide a recap and an overview of the impact to your accounts. Financial markets shook last week as Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the California bank subsidiary of SVB Financial Group (SIVB), fell into FDIC receivership. SVB is the first FDIC-insured institution to fail…
Read More
It’s been an encouraging start to the year after a challenging 2022. Falling inflation, interest rates, and decent earnings have provided fuel for a nice market run to start the year. The S&P 500 is up over 8% this year and up over 15% since it bottomed in October 2022. Bonds (1) are up over…
Read More
Bonds historically have helped stabilize portfolios when markets—particularly stock markets—grow volatile. The US bond market has recorded positive returns, before inflation, in all but four years since 1976. High-quality bonds, in particular, have typically held their value when stocks have endured their worst periods of performance. 2022 has been an outlier – bonds haven’t stabilized…
Read More
The macroeconomic factors of rising interest rates and stubborn inflation remained chief concerns and weighed down both stocks and bonds. Despite a strong employment picture, economic data continued to moderate, and markets priced in a rising risk of recession in 2023. Stocks ended the quarter at reasonable valuations and bond yields were at their highest…
Read MoreDuring this time of market volatility, we want to share the things we are doing and some things that you can do to help ease your worries. Rebalancing your portfolio. Volatile times can lead to rebalancing opportunities. Market changes can skew your allocation from its original target. We may rebalance your portfolio by selling positions…
Read More
• Stocks and bonds had a difficult start to 2022, falling together through the first half of the year. Rising interest rates amid an inflation spike was the main catalyst. • The economic backdrop remained uncertain with the U.S. economy contracting in the 1st quarter. Data was mixed but recessions risks increased. • Better…
Read More
As we move into spring and leave behind the last signs of a long winter, many worries from a chilly start to the year for markets, unfortunately, are still with us. The S&P 500 Index had its worst April in more than 40 years, and the decline has continued in May leaving the index down…
Read More
Debt Ceiling: Should Investors Worry?
The U.S. debt limit – commonly called the debt ceiling – is the total amount of money that the U.S. government is authorized to borrow. When the debt limit is reached, the government can no longer borrow money to cover its obligations. Congress has raised or suspended the debt ceiling over one hundred times since…
Read More