Basis Points

Foreign investors held a record $9.27 trillion in U.S. Treasuries at the end of 2025, even as “Selling America” fears made headlines. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan analyzes the latest Treasury International Capital (TIC) data and makes the case that, despite geopolitical tensions and market anxiety, global demand for Treasuries remains firmly intact. Basis point: 1/100th of...

The Fed’s ‘dot plot’ has become a market-moving ritual, but it’s only been around since 2012. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan examines what a Warsh-led Fed could mean for forward guidance, volatility and fixed income strategy.   Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.   Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-podcasts#Listen%20now     Please see...

The Fed still holds $6.3 trillion in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, well above pre-pandemic levels. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explains why a Warsh-led effort to shrink the Fed’s balance sheet, especially $2 trillion in mortgage-backed securities, may be far more complicated than the rhetoric suggests. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://ww...

Markets reacted quickly to the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chairman, but the bigger story lies beyond the headlines. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan weighs Warsh’s Fed background, policy instincts and what a balance-sheet-focused Fed could mean for bonds. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-point...

Policy headlines are creating fresh opportunities in securitized markets. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Dave Goodson, Head of Securitized at Voya Investment Management, to break down the Trump administration’s proposed $200 billion purchase of agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), what’s already priced in and where active fixed income managers may find relat...

After a flurry of rate cuts at the end of 2025, the FOMC decided to pause their rate cuts at the January meeting, keeping the fed funds trading range at 3.50%–3.75%. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explains why this shift may mark a move toward neutral policy and how labor market data could steer the next phase of decision-making. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more...

Bank loans come with yield, but also risk. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explains how the WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fund (HYZD) offers a high-yield, zero-duration alternative with quality screening designed to reduce credit risk. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-podcasts#Liste...

The steepening yield curve isn’t just a forecast, it’s atest. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan breaks down a horizon analysis using our 2026 Economic & Market Outlook, showing how short-term Treasuries could outperform while long duration risks negative returns. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-po...

The Treasury yield curve steepened in 2025, and 2026 could bring more of the same. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explains why an active/passive barbell strategy is a timely way to capture income potential while managing duration risk. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-podcasts#Listen%20now Please se...

The Fed’s divisions may run deeper than the official vote count suggests. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan unpacks the concept of “silent dissenters,” what the dot plot signals about rate cuts, and why a shifting FOMC could make future policy decisions even more data dependent. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basi...

As expected, the Fed delivered a third straight 25-basis-point rate cut at the December FOMC meeting. With the resumption of rate cuts now at round three, Kevin Flanagan explains how Powell’s “risk management” approach, internal Fed divisions, and missing data raise key questions about what 2026 could bring—and whether the recalibration now needs a recalibration of its own. Basis point: 1/100th of...

How can new hiring and the unemployment rate rise at the same time? In this episode of Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains the mechanics behind September’s seemingly contradictory jobs report, where strong payroll gains coincided with a higher jobless rate. He breaks down the two BLS surveys that drive these numbers, why they can diverge month to month, and what this dynamic means for the Fed as...

The latest market focus is back on the Fed, and a growing divide inside the FOMC. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan breaks down why policymakers are split on additional rate cuts ahead of the December meeting—and what regional Fed presidents are signaling about inflation risks. With key labor data on deck, find out what could shape the Fed’s next move. Basis point: 1/100th of 1...

It’s time to go back to basics with fixed income. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan, shares how tax-aware laddered bond strategies in both municipal and Treasury markets may help investors stay disciplined, diversify effectively, and manage after-tax income.   Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-podcasts#...

Yields are hovering just above 4%, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to extend duration. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why sticky inflation, a non-recessionary backdrop, and muted yield spreads argue for patience, not positioning long.   Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-podcasts#Listen%20now   Please se...

As was widely expected, the Fed implemented a 25bp rate cut at the October FOMC meeting, bringing the new fed funds trading range down to 3.75%–4%. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan breaks down how labor market trends, inflation pressures and the Fed’s view of a “neutral” rate could shape the path forward in December and beyond.   Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www....

What if the labor market is turning a corner? This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan discusses the “other side of the trade” asking whether the Fed and bond market may be underestimating the strength of the jobs picture. With recent Fed commentary focused on labor market risk, Kevin considers the possibility that we’ve already seen the softest prints and how that could shape the path forward fo...

Who’s next to lead the Fed? This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan discusses the five candidates reportedly on the shortlist to succeed Chair Powell and what each pick could signal for monetary policy, rate changes and market confidence. Listen now to hear what may be on the horizon as the nomination process heats up. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

With the government shutdown now stretching into its second week, key data releases have been delayed and uncertainty is rising. In this week’s episode of Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan shares how investors should interpret the lack of new economic data, and why the current backdrop differs from shutdowns of the past. Listen now for perspective on rates, risks, and what could come next.    Basis poi...

Where should fixed income investors look now that the Fed has resumed rate cuts? In this episode of Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why Treasury Floating Rate Notes continue to stand out as a compelling option in today’s shifting interest rate landscape. Listen now for perspective on positioning portfolios in a lower-rate environment and why flexibility matters more than ever. Basis point: 1...

As was widely expected, the Fed implemented a 25-basis-point rate cut at today's FOMC meeting, bringing the new Fed Funds trading range down to 4%–4.25%. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why the Fed’s next steps may hinge on how job growth evolves and whether inflation keeps creeping above target. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.  Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for addi...

How low can yields go and what comes next? This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan unpacks the latest jobs report and what it signals for the Fed’s next move. With signs of labor market cooling, Kevin discusses the path ahead for Treasury yields and how a measured rate cut cycle could support a more stable, constructive environment for fixed income investors. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

What’s really happening inside the Fed? This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan breaks down recent headlines around Chair Powell’s future, board reshuffling, and what it all could mean for upcoming policy decisions. With a rate cut in play, Kevin offers perspective on how the Fed operates, what could shape the next FOMC outcome, and why the data still leads the way. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 per...

Following the softer than expected July jobs report, the money and bond markets have fully embraced the narrativethat a Fed rate cut will be coming at the September FOMC meeting. In this episode, Kevin Flanagan gives his thoughts on the Treasury yield curves to watch and where they may be headed in the months ahead.   Basispoint: 1/100th of 1 percent. Please see the WisdomTreeGlossary for addition...

A surprisingly soft July jobs report – and what appears to be the largest non-COVID downward revision since 1979 – has shifted the Fed conversation. In this week’s episode of Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan breaks down why a September rate cut may now be in play, what to watch in upcoming inflation data, and how investors can position portfolios with short-duration fixed income strategies. Basis poin...