Chart of the Month – September 2024
Do you wonder why we invest in equities? Equities are an attractive investment for their growth characteristics, but they have also served as a hedge against inflation.
Why We’re Having the Wrong Thoughts About the Election | Financial Perspectives
This week, Kent Kramer examines the effects of an election season on investors. Drawing on historical data and behavioral economics, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing cognitive biases and staying optimistic.
What’s Up (or Down) with the Bonds? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
Investors have been puzzled this year, maybe even disappointed, that the bond market broadly has seen negative returns. How can this be when many money markets and bonds have stated yields of more than 5%? This week, Kent Kramer explains why.
Chart of the Month – May 2024
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
While cash may offer stability and security in the short term, the DFA Returns Web chart from 1926 through February 2024 suggests that the growth potential in stocks offers a higher rewarding investment opportunity in the long run.
A Conversation with Award-Winning Portfolio Manager Mary Ellen Stanek | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
In this week's special edition of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer has a conversation with 2022 Morningstar Outstanding Portfolio Manager award winner, Mary Ellen Stanek, who is managing director and co-chief investment officer of Baird. In this conversation, Kent and Mary Ellen cover everything from market history and trends to surprising interviews.
The Seesaw of Finance
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
There are parallels between concepts in finance and concepts in physics. Let's take a look.
Chart of the Month – Nov 2023
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
How Do Treasuries Lose Money? US Treasury bonds are generally regarded as safe. Sometimes they’re referred to as “risk-free” assets. This is a bit of a misnomer.
Does Cash Look Better Than Stocks? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
With interest rates as high as they've been in 15 years, some are asking, "Are stocks necessary, or even advisable, for investments today?" This week, Kent Kramer looks at how cash vs stocks have performed over the years and shares important lessons learned.
Chart of the Month – Aug 2023
Increasing interest rates have many effects, not only on the economy, but also on stocks. Given the recent rally, we wanted to highlight that rising rates do not always mean that stocks will go down. While the stock market is not making new all-time highs just yet, the market has been resilient to a regime thought to be a drag on the markets.
Chart of the Month – May 2024
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
While cash may offer stability and security in the short term, the DFA Returns Web chart from 1926 through February 2024 suggests that the growth potential in stocks offers a higher rewarding investment opportunity in the long run.
A Conversation with Award-Winning Portfolio Manager Mary Ellen Stanek | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
In this week's special edition of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer has a conversation with 2022 Morningstar Outstanding Portfolio Manager award winner, Mary Ellen Stanek, who is managing director and co-chief investment officer of Baird. In this conversation, Kent and Mary Ellen cover everything from market history and trends to surprising interviews.
The Seesaw of Finance
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
There are parallels between concepts in finance and concepts in physics. Let's take a look.
Chart of the Month – Nov 2023
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
How Do Treasuries Lose Money? US Treasury bonds are generally regarded as safe. Sometimes they’re referred to as “risk-free” assets. This is a bit of a misnomer.
Does Cash Look Better Than Stocks? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
With interest rates as high as they've been in 15 years, some are asking, "Are stocks necessary, or even advisable, for investments today?" This week, Kent Kramer looks at how cash vs stocks have performed over the years and shares important lessons learned.
Chart of the Month – Aug 2023
Increasing interest rates have many effects, not only on the economy, but also on stocks. Given the recent rally, we wanted to highlight that rising rates do not always mean that stocks will go down. While the stock market is not making new all-time highs just yet, the market has been resilient to a regime thought to be a drag on the markets.
Fitch Downgrade: A Closer Look | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Diversification
Fitch downgraded US government debt from its pristine AAA rating to one notch lower at AA+. While this news may raise some eyebrows, it is essential to keep it in perspective. This week, Matt Moklestad and Michael Westphal have a conversation about its implications and the necessity of diversification.
Fitch Downgrade – A Closer Look
Category: Investing » Diversification
Fitch, downgraded US government debt from its pristine AAA rating to one notch lower at AA+. The Fitch downgrade serves as a reminder of the necessity of diversification, as no investment is entirely risk-free.
Debt Ceiling Politics & Markets | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
Politics are always in the news. Right now, we're hearing a lot about the debt ceiling and the need to increase the US debt ceiling so the government can pay their bills ... or maybe not. This week, Kent Kramer provides an overview of debt ceiling history and what we are seeing today.
Chart of the Month – May 2023
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
In investing, a key consideration is the time horizon. There is a general perception that investing is a risky proposition, but this risk can be mitigated by holding investments for longer periods.
Chart of the Month – Apr 2023
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
"Why would anyone buy a 5-year bond at 3.5% when you could get a 1-year bond at 4%?"
"Why don't I put all my money in a 4-month T-bill and make 4.9%?"
2022 In Review: What Did We Learn? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
2022 was one of those years many would like to forget – but before we put it completely in the rear-view mirror, what are the lessons that we can take forward to help us in 2023?