Interest rates have been a conundrum for investors, economists and policymakers over the past ten years. Despite steady U.S. economic growth and an unemployment rate near historic lows, long-term interest rates have remained anchored. Continue reading
Much of the recent investor unease has centered around rising interest rates. There are many ways to think about interest rates: as a tool for generating portfolio income, as an important factor in stock prices, as a signal for the business cycle, as a risk indicator for Fed policy, and more. Continue reading
Tuesday produced more highs for the major indices as investors didn’t shy away from Fed Chair Yellen’s less dovish testimony before the Senate Banking Committee. Continue reading
In recent months the European Central Banks and the Bank of Japan have instituted a policy of negative interest rates. Continue reading
This report features world capital market performance and a timeline of events for the past quarter. It begins with a global overview, then features the returns of stock and bond asset classes in the US and international markets.
So far the New Year has not been a “happy” one for investors. All of the major stock markets are in negative territory, but the major themes have not changed with the New Year. The same issues putting downward pressure … Continue reading
As Mike Booker mentioned in the Q4 newsletter, we think bonds still deserve a place in most portfolios. After all, bonds are ultimately one of the greatest diversifiers an investor can own. Historically, conservative investors have allocated large percentages of … Continue reading
On April 1st, 2014, Financial Synergies will welcome Greg Valliere, Chief Political Strategist for the Potomac Research Group, to a special client event at Willie G’s in Houston. With over 30 years of experience covering Washington, Greg focuses on the … Continue reading
“Low for Longer” is Blackrock’s investment theme heading in to 2014. The Low for Longer tag line is their way of expressing a forecast of tepid economic growth, easy monetary policy and, consequently, low interest rates. Investment catchphrases such as … Continue reading
For the same reason we liquidated our position in TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) earlier this year, we’ve made a change in the commodities category. You might be asking yourself, why would terminating a bond position like TIPS prompt a … Continue reading