Basis Points

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...

At the July FOMC meeting, the Fed left rates unchanged for the fifth straight time, holding firm at 4.25%–4.50%. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explains why mixed data, tariff risks and signs of internal dissent are keeping policy makers cautious on the next move. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

Private credit is no longer just for institutions and investors are taking notice. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Chris Acito, CEO of Gapstow Capital Partners, to unpack what private credit is, why it’s gaining traction and how investors can access it through the WisdomTree Private Credit and Alternative Income Fund (HYIN). Listen now to learn why this asset cla...

Wondering what the second half of 2025 could look like for muni bonds? This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan talks with Jeff Burger, Senior Portfolio Manager at Insight Investment, about why recent legislation, aka the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, may be opening up new doors for Muni investors. From market supply to income potential, get the inside scoop on what makes WTMU and WTMY timely fixed i...

The WisdomTree Yield Enhanced U.S. Aggregate Bond Fund (AGGY) has a decade under its belt, and a performance edge to show for it. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan shows how this core bond ETF outpaced the Agg by +1.6% over 10 years, proving its staying power across market cycles. Basis Point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for Definitions of terms and indexes: ht...

On top of all the geopolitical headlines the money and bond markets have had to contend with of late, there has been another news story which has recently garnered its own fair share of headlines: a new Fed Chair. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan gives his take on the conjecturing happening related to this possibility. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.

The Fed left rates unchanged for the fourth straight time in arow at the June FOMC meeting, holding the Fed Funds range at 4.25%–4.50%. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why Powell & Co. remain firmly in “wait and see” mode as tariff risks and mixed macro signals cloud the outlook for future cuts.  Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent.   Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for De...

Munis are the only major U.S. fixed income sector delivering negative returns in 2025, down 1.1%. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan analyzes why this underperformance may actually present a rare value opportunity for muni investors against this backdrop. Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent. Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for Definitions of terms and indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/g...

From the back-and-forth headlines on tariffs to Powell’s cautious Fed messaging, investors face a summer of policy-driven volatility. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Samuel Rines, Macro Strategist of Model Portfolios to unpack the latest developments in tariffs, tax bills and Treasury markets, and explain why staying grounded in fundamentals is more important than ever. Basi...

The U.S. Treasury market had a volatile week, as Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating and lawmakers advanced a major fiscal policy bill. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why investor attention has turned to long-duration debt and what it signals about concerns over deficits and debt sustainability. Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent. Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for De...

In what investors thought was going to be a nice start to a weekend in May got turned around with a late Friday announcement that Moody’s had just downgraded the U.S. long-term credit rating. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan provides context for investors and explains why the move was expected, aligns with past ratings, and ultimately won’t shake Treasuries’ global dominance. Basis Points...

Volatility in U.S. Treasury yields hasn’t spared any corner of the fixed income market, except one. Kevin Flanagan explains why Treasury Floating Rate Notes (FRNs) offer stability without layering on credit risk, making the case for Treasury-backed solutions like the WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund. Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.