Monetary policy, lagging economic growth, aging populations in the leading global economies — what is the biggest challenge confronting investors on today’s fixed-income obstacle course? We polled readers of CFA Institute Financial NewsBrief to find out. Read more
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Every player in fixed income hangs on the doings of Janet Yellen and Mario Draghi like teenagers with Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. The focus is all on exogenous factors, says Jason Voss, CFA. What is not being accounted for? Endogenous criteria like the quality of the business models of the credits or whether a portfolio is diversified enough. Read more
Leave a CommentHighlights from last month include tips on how to effectively read financial news by Robert J. Martorana, CFA; James Grant’s opinion of negative interest rates; a discussion of Marc Faber’s take on the recent shifts in the global balance of economic power by Ron Rimkus, CFA; and the four main skill sets and one big realization that make up intelligence training, by Nathan Jaye, CFA. Read more
Leave a CommentIf the results of a recent CFA Institute Financial NewsBrief poll are any indication, at least some of the global fixed-income market is in bubble territory. Read more
16 Comments“Typically when the default rate is 1% or more above the Moody’s forecast, it is a good time to own distressed bonds,” Martin Fridson, CFA, said. “Similarly, if the bonds are priced 1% or more below Moody’s, then the distressed bonds are priced too tightly (i.e., a signal to sell).” Read more
Leave a Comment“Radical monetary policy begets more radical policy,” says James Grant. “It seems to me at some point markets or voters will put a stop to this.” Read more
14 CommentsHighlights from last month include examinations of the CAPE ratio and forward P/E earnings by Joachim Klement, CFA; Matthew Borin’s analysis of a recent Take 15 talk with Dan Ariely; an interview with C. Thomas Howard about the state of active management by Jason Voss, CFA; and a somewhat alarming take on the long-term implications of the low interest rate environment on the viability of banks and insurance companies by David Schawel, CFA. Read more
1 CommentInterest rates are nearing a lower bound, David Schawel, CFA, tells Will Ortel during a recent Take 15 interview. “Most likely we’re not going to be in a 30-year bull market for interest rates falling again,” he said. So what does this mean for fixed-income investors? Read more
Leave a CommentIn the current low-rate environment, there is reason to wonder about the viability of banks, insurance companies, and indeed any institution that generally depends on the spread between long- and short-dated liabilities for its profits, says David Schawel, CFA. Read more
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