report by BlackRock
Results for ""
Fixed Income Insights
Beware the ides of March
This piece is approved to use with clients.
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.
Market Outlooks
South Korean Stocks: Has the Luster Faded After a Strong Finish to 2020?
Gareth Lyons and Nabil Salem discuss the somewhat unusual South Korean stock market--unusual in that, this tech-dominated market remained attractively priced until recently. Lyons and Salem review the recent valuation history of this market, analyze drivers of outperformance in 2020, and summarize their current views on South Korea as an asset allocation opportunity.
Behavioral Finance
Rules as Tools: Using Heuristics to Help Empower Financial Success
People often use simple mental shortcuts, also called heuristics, when they make everyday decisions. But can these rules of thumb improve financial well-being? We studied commonly used rules of thumb in four financial categories (saving, spending, investing, and debt management).
Market Outlooks
Inflation: base effects versus spare capacity
This piece is approved to use with clients.
The prospect of inflation remains a hot topic for both investors and policy makers. Chair Powell, in his testimony to Congress this month stressed that ‘inflation risks are to the downside’. He stated that inflation in the coming months is likely to jump as a result of ‘base effects.’
Market Outlooks
Finding Balance After a Significant Q4 Rebound
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Philip Straehl, Gloabl Head of Research for Morningstar Investment Management LLC, gives our take on where asset class valuations stand, after the market volatility of 2020. He also covers the global aggregate reward-for-risk picture, and our outlook on major asset classes.
Fixed Income Insights
Why BBB munis are an A+ opportunity in our books
This piece is approved to use with clients.
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
This piece is approved to use with clients.
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.
Market Outlooks
Inflation: Much discussed but rarely witnessed
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Alongside the prospect for a strong economic recovery, a growing debate has sprung up around the path of inflation and whether it could derail growth.
Behavioral Finance
GameStop, Reddit, and Robinhood vs. Investing for the Long Run
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Expecting massive, short-term stock price increases is speculation, not investing. At Morningstar Investment Management LLC, we believe recent investing behavior, perhaps exacerbated and amplified by social media, is concerning. Here's why we think this behavior highlights the value of working with an investment professional for sound, long-term financial planning.