Hacked off with soaring housing costs and stubborn mortgage rates? Disgusted by skimpy supply and the fierce bidding wars that are now required to find a decent place to live? If you’re looking for revenge, buy mortgage-backed securities. No, investing in these lesser-known financial instruments won’t directly cut high housing costs. But it will position … Read more
Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia and the world’s fourth most populous nation, hasn’t always had a close relationship with China. In the 1960s, Jakarta accused Beijing of supporting an alleged Communist coup attempt, and diplomatic ties were only re-established in 1990. When China’s then-Premier Li Peng sought to reset the relationship, he said … Read more
Attractive bond yields have been a boon for investors, such as retirees, who want to generate income from their portfolios. Yet, those who want to live off the income generated by their investments — without selling any stocks — may want to reconsider how their portfolio is set up. An efficient portfolio typically focuses on … Read more
Rising yields were one of last year’s major themes as bonds crept into a bear market. Yields on the 10-year Treasury shot up to as much as the 5% mark in October — a 16-year high — but has since dropped to just above the 4% level. Yields and prices move in opposite directions. But … Read more
Investors will face a number of uncertainties in 2024, including the question of whether a recession will be avoided or how geopolitical risks will develop. Stocks have been rallying this year, while bonds fell into a bear market — before investors recently started flocking back to this asset. Against that backdrop, cautious investors may want … Read more
In 2023, you could plop money into a high-yield savings account and get a yield nearing 5% with little effort. Expect to work a little harder for those fixed income returns in the new year. The Federal Reserve’s series of interest rate hikes, which kicked off in 2022, made idle money profitable. One-year certificates of … Read more