Fixed Income
News and analysis of fixed income markets including the key factors affecting performance such as interest rates, Federal Reserve policy and the state of the economy.
Three new developments on the annuity rider front
By David PortThe buzz in the annuity world is about optional features that guarantee a lifetime income stream: living benefit riders.
July 27, 2011
LIMRA: Income Affects Confirmation PreferencesConsumers with higher household incomes seem to like e-mail transaction confirmations more than lower-income consumers do.
July 27, 2011
LIMRA: Income Affects Confirmation PreferencesConsumers with higher household incomes seem to like e-mail transaction confirmations more than lower-income consumers do.
July 26, 2011
Debt-Ceiling Stalemate Unacceptable, Say JPMorgan Strategist, BofA EconomistAs the clock ticks down to the Aug. 2 deadline in the debt-ceiling stalemate, market players from JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America said on a SIFMA call that they are growing increasingly worried about the possible economic impact of Washington’s failure to act.
July 25, 2011
Washington Contemplates Severe Cap on 401(k) ContributionsDo we really want to discourage retirement savings as Social Security continues its inexorable slide toward insolvency?
July 25, 2011
FINRA to Investors: Stay Away From Risky Junk FundsFINRA issued an Investor Alert warning investors of the dangers of complex, risky products such as high-yield, or junk, bond funds; floating-rate loan funds; structured notes with principal protection; and leveraged products.
July 22, 2011
Muni Bonds Offer Safe Haven Despite Whitney's PredictionWhile Lipper, Morningstar, ICI and BondDesk report different muni fund flow numbers for June, all agree that municipal bond fund sales are thriving.
July 20, 2011
Bond Experts Warn of Danger of Debt Ceiling ‘Turmoil’Failure to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, warn fixed-income experts, including Chris Shayne of BondDesk, could mean catastrophes including a sudden rise in interest rates and a crisis among institutional investors who are mandated to invest in triple-A rated bonds.