We check in again today on some of the real-time economic data that LPL Research is monitoring to provide timely and valuable insights into the state of the US economy. Traditional economic data is often reported too slowly to pick up the changes that are occurring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest data [...]
While the direction of the 10-year Treasury yield over the last cycle was decidedly lower, as shown in LPL’s Chart of the Day, there were still six extended periods where it rose at least 0.75%, and in two of those it rose almost 2%. Looking ahead, economic growth below potential, slack in the labor market, [...]
Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell gave a significant speech at the annual central bank symposium at Jackson Hole last week in which he laid out the general conclusions of the Fed’s review of its Statement on Longer-Run Goals and Monetary Policy Strategy. That document outlines how the Fed goes about fulfilling its congressionally assigned [...]
As the economy begins to recover, with the early stage more robust than expected, we increasingly get asked when interest rates will move meaningfully higher. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, historically rates don’t start to move higher until a median of about two years after a recession starts, and five [...]
In these unprecedented times our attention is being pulled in so many directions that it’s sometimes hard to know what to prioritize. One financial matter that may need your attention is your life insurance used to protect your family and your income. With the all-time low interest rate environment that we are facing, insurance companies [...]
Bond investors are clearly worried about rising rates in today’s environment. Many are protecting themselves by moving to very short-term investments, or even cash. But is their “safe” choice putting them at risk? The View Gets Better Up High We get it. It seems intuitive that if interest rates are rising, bond prices [...]
For those fortunate few individuals whose personal wealth exceeds the current estate-tax exemption threshold -- $5.43 million for 2015 rising to $5.45 million for 2016 -- today's historically low interest rate environment offers potentially powerful wealth transfer opportunities. Recent low rates of interest have affected two important factors used to value wealth transfers involving trusts [...]
When the Federal Reserve gives interest rates a nudge, you feel it. "The Federal Reserve has its fingers in your pocketbook to a greater degree than the IRS," says Michael Reese, a CFP professional in Traverse City, Michigan. The interest rates you pay and earn, the availability of credit and even your prospects in the [...]
Why not plan to lighten your financial burden? Positive moves to counteract negative cash flow. The financial analysis website nerdwallet.com keeps track of the various debts common to the U.S. household. As of April 2014, they’ve found an average mortgage debt of $154,365. They have also discovered an average household has $7,087 in debt from [...]
After hovering at or near record lows for several years, several areas of the bond market are now posting rising rates. Yes, this can result in many bonds losing value, but over time it can also mean more income and stronger total return for your bond holdings. Here’s a look at the last three periods of rising rates and [...]
