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Macroeconomic & Geopolitical
What's Driving U.S. Dollar Strength
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As of mid-October, the U.S. dollar was trading at levels not seen since the early 2000s, when the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed), under then-chairman Alan Greenspan, was raising interest rates to respond to a rapidly growing economy. In the past year, the U.S. dollar index, which compares the dollar with a basket of currencies, has risen more than 20%, the largest 12-month increase since 2015.
Macroeconomic & Geopolitical
A Step Ahead: Everyone's Quitting Their Jobs. Good!
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Olga and Hugo explain why the Great Resignation is the wrong story to describe what’s happening in the U.S. labor market. Job turnover is a welcome sign for the economy, and wage increases for low-income workers can boost economic growth.
Fixed Income Insights
June 2021 BMO Fixed Income Market Update
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U.S. GDP estimates released in May showed the economy grew 6.4% in the first quarter, unchanged from the prior estimate and modestly below expectations.
Fixed Income Insights
April 2021 Fixed Income Market Update
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We continue to observe demand for income-generating assets with additional relative value opportunities across the sector, quality and security levels.
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.
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.
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.