Shows / Basis Points
Basis Points
Macro commentary and expert-led discussions highlight what’s happening now in fixed income investing, so you can prepare for what’s next. Investing involves risks including loss of principal. This material represents the opinions of the participants at a specific time and is not intended to forecast future events or guarantee future results and should not be relied upon as investment advice. Kevin Flanagan is a registered rep of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
Episodes
- Basis Points
Fed Watch: It Takes Two
As was widely expected, the FOMC voted to reduce the Federal Funds target range by another quarter point following its September policy meeting. Kevin Flanagan…
- Basis Points
By the Time We Got to Woodstock
The 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock has come and gone, but the August jobs report contained a trend not seen since 1969. Kevin Flanagan discusses.
- Basis Points
Welcome to the Party, Powell?
The calendar has now turned to September, and that means another FOMC meeting is on tap with the results slated for announcement on September 18th. Based on…
- Basis Points
What is the Highest-Yielding Treasury Security?
The rally in the U.S. Treasury market has created a rather interesting investment backdrop. Recent market events have left investors with some important…
- Basis Points
Don't Know Much About History
The last two weeks in the “bond land” have been extraordinary. Kevin Flanagan discusses his perspective on the latest inverted yield curve hysteria.
- Basis Points
Pump It Up
The tumultuous market events to kick off August have served as a not so subtle reminder that volatility appears here to stay. Certainly, the recent trend has…
- Basis Points
Would Fed Tweets Work Better?
What a week last week was! From the Federal Reserve to President Trump’s tweet stating that more tariffs on China are potentially coming to Friday’s jobs…
- Basis Points
Like a Good Neighbor, the Fed is There
The Fed has done what was widely expected−it cut the federal funds target range by a quarter-point. And while you could say the Fed is back in data-dependent…
- Basis Points
Past Performance Is Not Indicative of Future Results
Through the first six months of the year, the global fixed income markets have certainly put in a surprising performance. However, the odds do not seem to…
- Basis Points
Fed Watch: Under Pressure
One overarching question that many investors ask is, Why is the Fed so intent on cutting rates? If judging solely on low unemployment and an impressive June…
- Basis Points
Reality Bites
The much better-than-expected June jobs report has the money and bond markets—and probably the Federal Reserve as well—in a dither. Kevin Flanagan analyzes the…
- Basis Points
No Heavy Lifting
When looking at the money and bond markets, they almost seem to be saying to the Federal Reserve (Fed), “Would you please cut rates already?” Against this…
- Basis Points
UST 10-Year... Where Do We Go From Here
After a Federal Reserve meeting like the one last week, it’s always prudent to take a step back and let the dust settle. Kevin Flanagan analyzes the U.S…
- Basis Points
One Plus One Equals Three
To watch the money and bond markets of late, there is one development that stands out quite clearly: the Federal Reserve has to cut interest rates. Kevin…
- Basis Points
Which Came First—the Chicken or the Egg?
Last week, we heard a narrative regarding the movement in the stock and bond markets—specifically, that the decline in U.S. equities resulted from the drop in…
- Basis Points
Don't "Fix"ate within Your Short Duration
The current landscape for the fixed income arena can be defined by two key factors: the yield curve and household cash positions. These two forces have placed…
- Basis Points
"Curve"ology 101
It’s time for your final in “Curve”ology 101. Does the UST 3-Month/10-Year curve signal an upcoming recession? Kevin Flanagan explains.
- Basis Points
No Longer “on the Q.T.”
While the money and bond markets continue to debate when, not if, the first rate cut is coming, the Fed has already taken its foot off the brake in a rather…
- Basis Points
"Barbell"-ing Can Get the Job Done
It’s hard to say where interest rates are headed in this uncertain landscape. Kevin Flanagan offers fixed income investors a strategic solution designed to…
- Basis Points
Fed Watch: Some Like It Hot
Certainly, no one can dispute that the shift in the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) monetary policy outlook has been the most noteworthy development that has occurred…
- Basis Points
Can I Get a Refund?
With another April 15 tax date come and gone, Kevin Flanagan asks: How did individual filers make out for the 2019 season versus a year ago?
- Basis Points
The Fed vs. the ECB: Who Will Blink First?
If bond investors have learned anything this year, it is that the “winds of change” can blow in dramatically different directions regarding monetary policy…
- Basis Points
Putting The Cart before The Horse
It’s all about the data, with the jobs report being front and center. But what happens when the data doesn’t fit into the Treasury market’s narrative? Kevin…
- Basis Points
Did The Fed Cut Rates without Telling Anyone?
After the March Fed meeting, no more rate hikes appeared to be in the offing for 2019, so naturally, the only place to go from there would be rate cuts. Kevin…
- Basis Points
Upside Down…the Yield Curve Inverts
The U.S. Treasury yield curve went inverted last week for the 1st time since 2007. Certainly, it is a noteworthy development in bond-land. Kevin Flanagan…
- Basis Points
"March"ing Out Like A Lamb
Is the Federal Reserve leaving March by “going out like a lamb?” Kevin Flanagan discusses the outcome of this week’s FOMC meeting.
- Basis Points
U.S. Econ Watch—Stubbing Your Toe
There’s nothing like a paltry 20,000 gain in total nonfarm payrolls to get market participants talking. That is exactly what happened when the February jobs…