Fixed Income Q1 2023

With the rapid increase in short-term interest rates, we are finding better opportunities to earn income from the fixed income component of portfolios. In fact, the yield on short maturity bonds currently exceeds that on intermediate and long maturity bonds. This phenomenon exists because the yield curve is inverted, as investors predict short rates will fall in the coming years as the Fed eventually shifts from a tightening to an easing policy. Corporate balance sheets are generally in very good shape, especially for the types of companies we tend to favor. Accordingly, we are able to add incremental yield from new bond purchases in the range of 4.0-5.0%. As inflation continues to fall, the “real” return of this income stream also becomes more valuable.

In addition, the yield on our Cash Liquidity Program (CLP) now stands at 4.75%. The CLP consists of a consortium of bank demand deposits that are fully guaranteed by the FDIC. While having cash invested in the CLP makes sense for shorter term needs, we still prefer bonds and bond ETFs to lock in higher yields for longer periods of time. As we approach the end of the Fed’s tightening cycle, prices of newly-issued bonds may eventually benefit from falling rates – a trend that we haven’t seen in quite a while. There is therefore the potential for greater total return beyond just the

More Insights

Economic & Market Commentary

Fixed Income Q3 2023

After a strong sell-off in 2022, bonds now offer much higher returns.  We see limited downside risk in short- and intermediate-term bonds, as the bias towards rates is now to the downside.
Read more

Economic & Market Commentary

Equities Q3 2023

Inflation, although high, is gradually coming down, measured on a year-over-year basis. The Fed has signaled that short-term interest rates might have reached their peak but are likely to remain elevated for an extended period.
Read more

Up Next

Insights