Market update from BlackRock's municipal bond team.
Bond yields are low, but investors’ need for income is high. In this one-minute read, Tony DeSpirito offers three reasons to look to equities for income.
With cyclical stocks rebounding, portfolio manager Russ Koesterich emphasizes that being discerning is key.
Unusual times require more than the usual sources of information to assess the investing backdrop. Jeff Shen discusses how alternative data is making a difference today.
In a post-coronavirus investment world, Jeff argues that investors should be rethinking the role of fixed income in portfolio construction and ask themselves if they are at risk of investing without a parachute?
Elga lays out two main reasons to be optimistic on Europe – and European assets.
Recent underperformance has led some to declare the death of value investing, but don’t be so quick to dismiss it.
Rick Rieder, Russ Brownback and Trevor Slaven contend that in the tug-of-war between the considerable economic damage stemming from the coronavirus and subsequent lockdowns, and the fiscal and monetary policy responses put in place, the latter factor is being underestimated by markets. Further, the instruments used by investors in previous years won’t be what’s required for the time ahead.
Get the ins and outs of green bonds in this two-part series. Let’s start with the basics.
Emily presents key takeaways on the exercise of green bond impact reporting.
Looking to generate income from your nest egg? Make sure you don’t get it all from just one basket. Karen explains two funds designed to provide income that aren’t over reliant on any one source.
What kind of role does private markets play in building a resilient portfolio in the post-Covid world? Mike explains.
Rick Rieder, Russ Brownback and Navin Saigal contend that if a negative monetary policy endgame is to be avoided, particularly in the face of recent economic declines, it will likely be technological advances of a profound kind that get us there.
Russ discusses why consumption has held up, and how the pandemic has accelerated long-term trends.
We have witnessed nothing short of a revolution in macroeconomic policy in recent months. Jean shares his take on what to focus on next.
As the economic fallout from COVID-19 threatens peoples’ livelihoods and erodes their short-term savings, it follows that their long-term financial security is also at-risk. What does it all mean for retirement savings and what steps can we take to build a more resilient system?
In 2020, many investors have shifted the focus of their fixed income portfolios from the return ON principal, to the return OF principal. Karen highlights how the desire for stability is driving investors to tap into U.S. Treasury markets with ETFs.
How’s China’s economic restart looking? And what does it mean for investors?
The pandemic has intensified existing stresses on U.S. state and municipal economies – with implications for investors.
Rick Rieder and Jacob Caplain contend that with profound uncertainties still present in the economy and markets, and the dislocations witnessed in many market segments in the past couple months, investors don’t need to resort to lower-quality assets. In fact, to achieve potentially attractive returns, higher-quality spread assets can serve quite well.
How has the coronavirus shock changed medium-term fundamentals? And how does that change our long-term asset views?
Russ highlights the surprising resilience of technology stocks this year.
Rick Rieder, Russ Brownback and Trevor Slaven contend that even as markets were rocked by uncertainty as the coronavirus lockdowns began, the seeds of stability were sown in the massive fiscal and monetary policy response. The key is to know how to manage through this period for the long haul.
Ben Powell writes that China may change policy at the delayed National People’s Congress in three key areas: the GDP target, household registration reform, and – crucially for markets – fiscal stimulus.
Russ explains why Chinese equities should still be a core holding.
David Rogal and Bob Miller contend that the TIPS market dislocations witnessed in recent months have resulted in opportunities that investors would be remiss to ignore.
Vivek explains why we see a need and opportunity to adjust strategic portfolios in the wake of the pandemic.
The global coronavirus outbreak has changed everyday life in profound ways ― and will likely reshape the future as well. Tony DeSpirito identifies five areas of change that could have implications for investors.
How do we gauge the impact on global economy from the pandemic? Jean shares his thoughts.
Russ discusses the surprising strength in momentum stocks, and why it may continue.
Scott explains why we have downgraded emerging market local debt to neutral even as its valuation has cheapened.
As Russ explains, bonds may not be providing significant income, but still offer a hedge against equity risk.
Closed-end funds are currently trading at a discount as equity markets have dropped. Here’s where to spot opportunities.
It’s easy to get sidetracked by the ups and downs of the market, but before you act, now may be a good time to review why you own bonds in the first place.
We favor U.S. stocks to their other developed market peers over the next six to 12 months. Why? The U.S. policy response to the coronavirus shock has been decisive and comprehensive, and has exceeded the scale of policy action in other major developed economies. We expect more to come.
Rick Rieder, Russ Brownback and Trevor Slaven contend that even as markets are gripped with the trauma of wild swings, and continued uncertainties, the seeds of future investment opportunity are being sown.
These are unusual times, to say the least. Few in the financial industry have seen a global pandemic and widespread economic shutdown, and we must approach our outlooks with a dose of humility.
Scott explains how the extraordinary outbreak-fighting policy action – and recent market turbulence – has changed our view on credit.
Minimum volatility strategies are one way to seek more equity stability, which may help investors stay in the markets over the long run.
The coronavirus crisis will change the world in many ways. Tony DeSpirito discusses its potential impact on ESG investing and how it may hasten an important trend for active investors.
Russ discusses the importance of keeping perspective as we face an unprecedented crisis.
Financial markets, and the world, are in unprecedented times. Tony DeSpirito offers some perspective along with ideas for preparing for the eventual return to “normal".
Mike explains why it may be prudent re-balancing your portfolio – outside the usual calendar – after the recent market turbulence.
BlackRock’s CIO of Global Fixed Income and Head of the Global Allocation Team weighs in on recent Federal Reserve policy moves and what they might mean for markets.
Municipal closed-end funds (“CEFs”) currently offer high levels of tax advantaged income and can often be purchased at a discount to their current net asset value.
A déjà vu of 2008 in markets lately? Mike explains why we think the coronavirus shock should not spark a 2008-style crisis.
Russ discusses the reasons why gold can be an effective hedge going forward.
Corrections are normal but that doesn't mean they feel good. How to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
A decisive and coordinated policy action is key to combat the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak. Mike explains why.
