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Fixed Income Insights
Beware the ides of March
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As the first quarter draws to a close, investors should be mindful of the seasonal weakness typically seen with municipal bonds (munis) at this time of year. This seasonality is due to a confluence of factors, including an uptick in supply (versus a lack of), fewer maturing bonds and lower coupon payments – and a potential pause in industry flows as a result of investors paying their tax bills in April.
Fixed Income Insights
BMO Market Charts: March 19, 2021
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At this timelast year, equity markets were in free-fall as the effects of the coronavirus rapidly developed. One year later, equities have recovered and are now above their 2020 pre-crisis peaks.
Client Life Events
Emergency savings: Planning for the unplannable
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The COVID-19 crisis exposed an already dire problem – families could not come up with money for unexpected expenses, such as replacing a flat tire or repairing a busted pipe. As such, many advisors have been reemphasizing the importance of optionality and financial wellness to help their clients and communities properly prepare for these unpredictable emergencies.
Fixed Income Insights
Why BBB munis are an A+ opportunity in our books
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Investment grade muni spreads tightened significantly since March, but still remain elevated in some areas versus historical averages.
Fixed Income Insights
February 2021 Fixed Income Market Update
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In our view, January may prove to be a microcosm of the new year. Optimism abounds for progress against the pandemic and a rapid economic recovery, but challenges remain on both fronts.
Portfolio Construction Insights
5 Lessons From 5 Decades of Asset Allocation
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At Morningstar Investment Management, our asset allocation approach has drawn on our research spanning five decades. Some lessons have stood the test of time and continue to inform our thinking today. We unpack five key lessons that we believe are vital to be a great asset allocator today.
Goals/Needs-Based Investing
Outcome-Based Investing Guide
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When investors focus too closely on investment performance, they can lose sight of their goals and instead focus myopically on beating the benchmark. Enter Outcome-Based strategies, which seek to provide investment outcomes that fit the profile of common investment goals. That way you can match your portfolio’s outcomes with your goals. Here's our overview of how Outcome-Based Investing can fit within your financial planning.
Portfolio Construction Insights
How a Bond Ladder Can Offer Stability in Any Market Condition
A bond ladder, or a portfolio of individual bonds whose maturity dates are staggered over a set number of years, is designed to provide a predictable income stream while minimizing exposure to interest-rate fluctuations. We explore why an investor might consider holding a bond ladder, risks, and our expectations for the current rate environment.
Fixed Income Insights
January 2021 Fixed Income Market Update
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A new coronavirus strain first observed in the United Kingdom, which is believed to be significantly more contagious, has spread across borders and been observed in the U.S. in several states.