Basis Points

At today's FOMC meeting, the Fed kept rates unchanged, marking the sixth consecutive time the policymakers decided to take no action on the rate front. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan looks ahead for what investors could expect for the remaining meetings this year. Basis Points: 1/100th of a percent.

Following last week’s “hotter” than expected CPI release, the sole focus for the money and bond markets was to, yet again, dial back their Fed rate cut expectations. Ahead of the May FOMC meeting, this week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan dives into an aspect of Fed policy decision-making that has been flying under the radar: the balance sheet. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Consum...

The first three months and change of 2024 has brought with it a rather noteworthy shift in bond market sentiment. With Fed policy decision-making remaining data dependent for the foreseeable future, this week on the Basis Points podcast  Kevin Flanagan discusses why investors should consider utilizing the time-tested barbell strategy to navigate not only the current setting, but more importantly,...

As the inflation marathon enters the homestretch, the last mile might not be about to get more difficult. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses why the journey to the Federal Reserve’s target might not be as smooth as anticipated, and what this could mean for rate cuts and the bond market’s response. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Consumer Price Index (CPI): A measure...

At today’s FOMC meeting, the Fed did what was widely expected yet again and kept the Fed Funds target unchanged. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses the Fed’s balancing act between hopeful markets and the reality of economic indicators and what it means for the future of U.S. Treasuries. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

With rate cuts now being the primary focus of the markets, the conversation has revolved around when such a move could occur and what the path would ultimately look like. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses the rate cutting cycle that occurred in 1995/1996 and how it parallels the current market environment. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.

The U.S. economy and inflation have surprised the bond market in 2024, reversing the rally of 2023. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explores the implications of this on the UST 10-year yield and the Fed’s rate policy.  Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. 

2024 marks ten years since the issuance of U.S. Treasury (UST) floating rate notes (FRNs) and the launch of our Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR). This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses how USFR seeks to offer a solution for the current and prospective interest rate landscape. Important Information: Performance is historical and does not guarantee future results. Current...

Yields are high and profit margins have held up well despite rising cost pressures. How will that affect U.S. Credit? What are the drivers behind this growth? And where is the market headed? This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan leads a discussion with Morgan Stanley’s Vishwas Patkar on what makes U.S. credit potentially attractive to investors and advisors, and the trends that wil...

Is the U.S. Treasury market experiencing a "Groundhog Day"? This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan reflects on this time last year when the bond market was anticipating a recession and counting on weak jobs data to confirm it as we enter a similar narrative heading into 2024. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.

Today marked the first FOMC meeting of 2024, and as widely expected, the Fed kept the Fed Funds target unchanged. We believe rate cuts are coming, but they do not appear to be imminent just yet. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan provides his insights on the Fed’s timing for rate cuts in 2024 and analyzes factors that will affect monetary policy in 2024. Basis Points: 1/100th of...

An interesting development occurred last week: Fed 'pushback'. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses what this means and what investors should be considering regarding how to play this pivot in monetary policy.   Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. 

The money and bond markets appear to be ‘doubling down’ on their optimistic expectations for Fed rate cuts this year, leaving investors to continue to be faced with elevated volatility. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan reviews the latest U.S. Treasury yields and discusses how investors can play defense against this backdrop. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

This year was a roller coaster for fixed income. What's in store for investors in 2024? This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan provides a 2023 recap and outlines some key themes for the new year. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.

While the Fed didn't cut rates at the December policy meeting, we believe they will be coming in 2024. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan highlights two WisdomTree funds that can help bond investors navigate the investment landscape that may be lying ahead. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

At today’s FOMC meeting, the Fed did what was widely expected and kept interest rates unchanged. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan provides his insights on the disconnect between the Fed and market expectations, as well as the impact on fixed income investors. Basis Points: 1/100th of a percent.

What action will the Fed take next and where is the market headed? In this special episode of the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Matt Hornbach Global Head of Macro Strategy at Morgan Stanley. During the episode, the speakers offer their insights and perspectives on Morgan Stanley’s 2024 Outlook for the bond market titled Land of Confusion. They also discuss the market’s expectat...

One of the more noteworthy developments in the financial markets of late has been the plunge in U.S. Treasury (UST) yields. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan reviews the implications and provides some monetary policy outlook for 2024. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Federal funds rate: The rate that banks that are members of the Federal Reserve system charge on overnight loa...

We believe investors are being faced with a new rate regime as we get ready to enter 2024. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan surveys the state of the U.S. Treasury (UST) market and outlines how investors can prepare. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.

As we approach the end of 2023, investors may want to take stock of their fixed income portfolio and consider how to position for the new year. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses tax-loss harvesting and how to implement a barbell strategy with a few of our fixed income ETFs. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Duration: A measure of a bond’s sensitivity to changes in in...

One takeaway from the November FOMC meeting is that tighter financial conditions are now a key monetary policy input. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan analyzes the Chicago Fed National Financial Conditions Index to gauge the current state of the markets. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.

At today’s FOMC meeting, the Fed voted to keep interest rates unchanged. As a result, the trading range remains at 5.25%–5.50%, a more than 20-year high watermark. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan analyzes the impact of the rise in Treasury yields, the ongoing quantitative tightening and the new rate regime on fixed income investors.  Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

We believe investors are being faced with a new rate regime as we get ready to enter 2024. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan surveys the state of the U.S. Treasury (UST) market and outlines how investors can prepare. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.

The U.S. economy has been resilient despite the inverted yield curves, but is it too early to celebrate? This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses how the recent surge in UST 10-yr yield has changed the shape of the curves and what it means for the future of the economy. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

Halloween season is now upon us and if you look at recent price action within the U.S. Treasury (UST) market, it looks as if the ‘spooks’ have already started. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses why this is happening and how investors can position their bond portfolios as the U.S. Treasury market 10-year yield hits a 16-year high. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Bar...