Chart of the Month – Mar 2022
Are you feeling the pain at the pump? What is driving oil prices higher?
Q1 Wrap Up: Ukraine, Inflation, Interest Rates | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
The first quarter of 2022 is in the books and once again, surprising events dominated the news. Russia invading Ukraine and the continued climb in inflation were the focus of attention and for good reason. In this week's Financial Perspectives, we'll take a look at what is happening in markets and the global economy and what investors may want to know.
I Bonds Pay Almost 10%, What’s the Catch?
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
Investors are always on the lookout, it seems, for new and profitable ways to help make their dollars work for them. One that has come up quite often on our clients’ radars recently is Series I Bonds (or just I Bonds).
How Can Investors Benefit from Higher Rates? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
With inflation and interest rates rising, are there any silver linings for investors? One DIY US government bond investment you may not have heard about will soon be yielding over 9%. This week, Kent Kramer takes a look at I Bonds, what is happening in markets and the global economy, and what investors may want to know.
Chart of the Month – May 2022
Since the beginning of 2020, checkable deposits have quadrupled, giving consumers the ability to continue spending and withstand increased prices. What does this mean for inflation and prices in the future?
Knowing What Not To Do | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
Stocks are down. Bonds are down. Inflation is up. There is a war in Europe. When nothing feels certain, what should investors do? One of the things we can do is pay attention to something else.
Bear Markets and Life Jackets
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
For anyone invested right now, it feels like we’re sinking. But just as boats have lifejackets to keep you afloat, your financial life should have its own lifejackets in place to help keep you from sinking in bear market times like these.
Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.
Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.
Bear Markets and Life Jackets
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
For anyone invested right now, it feels like we’re sinking. But just as boats have lifejackets to keep you afloat, your financial life should have its own lifejackets in place to help keep you from sinking in bear market times like these.
Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.
Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.
Webinar: Making Your Own Path Through Election Year Financial Markets
There's always concern and uncertainty present in election years. Predicting the markets impact of potential political transition isn't easy for anyone. With inflation rising, it's understandable to be concerned. Is there another way to think about the unknown?
Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?
Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?
Chart of the Month – Jan 2023
Category: Investing » Fixed Income / Bonds
It's natural to sit down at the end of the year and reflect on what happened. Here is a short recap of what happened in the markets and the world in 2022.
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?
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%?"
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.
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.
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.