Fixed Income Q3 2020

Pushed lower by monetary policy and direct market intervention (such as asset purchases) by central banks. The result has been that bond holders, who purchase these instruments expecting a steady stream of coupon income, have been forced to accept lower levels of income. Another reason investors purchase bonds is to receive their principal back at a specified time. Unlike stocks, bonds mature and return principal on a maturity date (some bonds have flexible maturity schedules based on “call” provisions that allow the issuer to choose when to redeem the bonds). Unless the borrower defaults – typically a last resort – investors will receive their money back at maturity plus interest earned over the holding period.

In this way, bonds offer not only income but safety of principal. For this reason, bond investments often make sense as a way to invest for shorter-term horizons or to earn some incremental yield above cash
and money market instruments. Because of the relative safety of bonds, having a dedicated allocation to fixed income investments can provide a cushion in the portfolio against overall market risk. High quality bond prices tend to remain stable in times of uncertainty, especially when interest rates are not expected to rise and inflation is low.

As low as bond yields are in the United States, they remain relatively attractive versus the roughly $14 trillion in foreign bonds that trade with negative yields, a dynamic that we do not expect to see in the U.S.

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Economic & Market Commentary

Fixed Income Q2 2024

As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to leave short -term policy rates unchanged at 5.50% at its June meeting. The Fed acknowledged “modest further progress” on inflation but is not quite ready to cut rates. We expect the Fed to keep interest rates at current levels for most of this year. For investors, that means cash yields will remain elevated. But there is also a risk to holding too much cash
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Economic & Market Commentary

Equities Q2 2024

Strong stock market performance continued through the second quarter, but at a more moderate pace and with fewer positive contributors when compared to the first quarter. Three months ago, we highlighted strong economic growth, falling inflation, and hopes of near-term Fed rate cuts as the three key positive dynamics sending stocks higher in 2024. Today, that list has narrowed to two. Economic growth remains strong and inflation is still moving in the right direction.
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