It is human nature to want to avoid loss and instead seek refuge in something that feels safe. After the very pronounced and painful market declines of last year, a new wave of participant risk aversion flooded markets as investors piled a record amount into money market funds, where $5.4 trillion of it remains as of early July.
A Steep Bond Market Reset
The path and pace to higher interest rates in 2022 and its impact on the bond market was like a steep and strenuous climb for even the most seasoned hikers.
Should You Buy Series I Bonds? What Investors Should Know Before Buying
A sleepy area of the bond market known as Series I Bonds has exploded in popularity this year, catching the attention of investors with its eye-popping 9.62% current yield. In a year in which most asset classes have delivered negative returns, a stable, predictable government guaranteed savings bond may seem appealing. And yet, while there are real benefits associated with I Bonds, there are also nuisances and limitations that investors should be aware of before getting too excited about investing in them.
Onward and Upward
As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, we have all probably experienced emotions of moving forward with limited visibility, ongoing uncertainty, and feeling the proverbial need to come up for air every now and then.