Rate Environment (January 22, 2018)
A continued slide in bond prices pushed the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note above 2.6% to its highest level in more than three years, even as Congress moved closer to a government shutdown.
Rate Environment (December 18, 2017)
As expected, the Federal Reserve raised rates by 25 basis points and upgraded their forecast for growth in 2018, while sticking to a projection for three hikes in the coming year.
Transaction Costs & The Bottom Line
Transaction Costs: A more diligent approach toward trading efficiencies could help support the bottom line. Read More Here
Rate Environment (November 6, 2017)
Fed officials voted to leave interest rates unchanged while signaling they’re on track to hike once more this year. Recent data indicate that “the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a solid rate despite hurricane-related disruptions,” the FOMC said in a statement.
Rate Environment (October 30, 2017)
Treasuries recouped losses…amid investor concerns about tensions in Spain and the prospect of a leadership change at the Fed. Investors fled to safe assets as the Catalan region declared independence from Spain…
Rate Environment (September 25, 2017)
The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged…while suggesting it is prepared to hike one more time in 2017. The Committee said economic performance has been good even as low inflation has sparked concern among some members.
Building an Investment Portfolio
Bank investment portfolios are an increasingly important part of balance sheet management. As portfolios have grown by 5.9% over the past year, according to the FDIC, they also produce a larger share of earnings.
Rate Environment (July 31, 2017)
The FOMC said it expects to begin shrinking its bond holdings “relatively soon,” according to a statement released after a two-day meeting on Wednesday. The group noted the recent weakness in prices while suggesting that inflation should stabilize around 2 percent “over the medium term.
Rate Environment (June 19, 2017)
As expected, the Fed raised their benchmark rate for the third time in six months, maintained their outlook for one more hike in 2017 and set out details for shrinking their balance sheet. “Near-term risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced, but the committee is monitoring inflation developments closely,” the FOMC said on Wednesday.
Rate Environment (May 30, 2017)
Most Fed officials judged it would soon be appropriate to tighten monetary policy again, according to minutes from the May 3rd FOMC meeting. Policy makers also said they would like to start shrinking their balance sheet by year-end, and agreed to provide details of the plan in the near future.
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