As the Federal Reserve shifts toward lower interest rates, investors face a new challenge: how to make their cash work harder in an economic landscape where traditional savings vehicles may soon offer diminishing returns. On this episode of Market Sense, we explore investments that can thrive when rates decline and offer strategies for investors looking for other ways to reinvest their cash. Topics covered: • Lower Interest rates • Cash Investments • CDs, short-term bonds, fixed annuities & money market fun ...

Rod, also the incoming 2026 chair of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. It's great to have you back, Ron. >> It's great to be here.Great. I love coming down to the floor and I need to come down here more often. So, it's great to be here. >> It's nice to have you in the building.So, we were just talking about the environment on credit overall in terms of markets, capital markets. How you feeling. >> Look, it's a the uh the markets are are very very active, very brilliant.It's uh I'm l ...

Let's talk earnings, markets, the outlook into year end with our next guest, UBS Global Wealth Senior Portfolio Manager Alan Rex Shaffen joins us here at Post 9. Alan, you have been one of the bullst managers, most bullish managers that we've talked to all year. It has paid off for you.Are you still feeling that that level of of bullishness and telling your clients to either stay the course or buy, keep buying. >> Yeah, I I I think the the market being at 6,700 isn't a coincidence. I think you have an align ...

Market Outlook - The market level at 6,700 is seen as a result of aligned productivity and policy, with expectations for this trend to continue [2] - Interest rates are anticipated to decrease, supported by the Federal Reserve's pivot and improvements in government spending, which could positively impact the market [3][4] - The Treasury Secretary noted a decrease in 10-year yields due to deficit improvements, indicating a shift in government spending patterns [4] Economic Factors - The administration is addressing the $38 trillion deficit, which is expected to positively influence market sentiment and economic conditions [7][9] - The combination of lower interest rates, productivity gains from artificial intelligence, and significant capital in money market funds ($7 trillion) suggests a favorable environment for market growth [12][16] Investment Strategy - UBS forecasts the market could reach between 6,700 and 6,900 by year-end, with a potential bull case scenario of 8,000 by mid-next year [15] - There is a belief that taking risks in equity markets could be beneficial, especially during market pullbacks [14] - The rise in gold prices may indicate investors seeking risk insurance amid global fiscal concerns [16]

Joining us now to talk about the state of the global economy, former uh World Bank President David Malpass. He is now with Purdue University's Mitch Daniels School of Business. It's good to see you. >> Good to see you, Joe. >> You ever get interviewed by uh by Bessant for uh for for the because you your name was bandied about at one point, right? >> Right. I wasn't interviewed for the job. Um I I do think and I've made the point in Wall Street Journal articles and so on that the Fed needs to really look at ...

HELOC rates have been moving lower this year and are widely expected to continue the trend. According to the analytics company Curinos, the average rate on a home equity line of credit is 7.75%. With the Federal Reserve poised to lower rates again next week, HELOC rates could move even lower. A decrease in the federal funds rate will push the prime rate down — and HELOC rates will likely follow. HELOC rates: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 According to Curinos data, the average weekly HELOC rate is 7.75%. ...

The Dow closed at a fresh record on Tuesday as Wall Street welcomed the latest wave of quarterly results from the likes of General Motors (GM) and Coca-Cola (KO). Gains for the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) lifted the blue-chip benchmark 0.5%. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) closed the session little changed, and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) slipped roughly 0.1%. Investors are focused on the flood of major earnings reports due this week, headlined on Tuesday by streaming giant Netflix (NFLX) and GM ...

Core Viewpoint - Gold is experiencing significant volatility, resembling the behavior of trending stocks rather than serving as a traditional safe haven for investors, with a notable drop of 6.3% recently, marking its worst decline in 12 years [1][2]. Market Behavior - The recent decline in gold prices is attributed to profit-taking by investors following record gains in both gold and silver this year, with silver prices also falling by 8.7% [1]. - Gold's price surge has been influenced by hype and speculation, leading to increased volatility and potential for sharp declines [2]. Interest Rates and Economic Factors - Gold remains sensitive to short-term interest rates, with lower borrowing costs making it more attractive compared to cash and bonds, especially as yields decline [3]. - Falling interest rates can also accelerate inflation, enhancing gold's appeal as a hedge against rising prices and signaling economic troubles [3]. Central Bank Activity - Central banks have been purchasing historically large amounts of gold due to policy uncertainty stemming from trade wars, military conflicts, and political discord, which has contributed to gold's price increase [4]. Future Outlook - The outlook suggests that gold may perform better than stocks in the near term, particularly if the upcoming earnings season disappoints, although a price pullback could present a better buying opportunity [5]. - Key factors influencing gold's price trajectory will include momentum, policy changes, and interest rates [5]. Treasury Yields - Current Treasury yields indicate a potential drop in the Fed Funds rate to around 3%, suggesting that a very bearish economic or earnings report would be necessary to drive yields lower without momentum influences [10].

Corporate Performance - Coca-Cola reported a 5% year-over-year revenue increase, with earnings per share (EPS) climbing to $0.75, surpassing analyst expectations, leading to a nearly 3% jump in its shares [2][21] - 3M's third-quarter sales reached $6.52 billion, up 3.5% from the prior year, with an adjusted EPS of $2.19, beating estimates, and the company raised its full-year earnings forecast to $7.95–$8.05 per share, resulting in a 2.3% increase in its stock [3][22] - General Motors' stock surged 11.2% after raising its full-year guidance, citing improved supply chain conditions and a favorable tariff outlook [4][29] Market Sentiment - The US stock market displayed resilience, with major indices reacting positively to strong earnings and forward guidance, despite ongoing economic uncertainty [8][12] - Analysts emphasize that earnings this week will be critical in shaping market sentiment for the final quarter of 2025, particularly in tech, consumer staples, and industrial sectors [7][41] - Investors are closely monitoring upcoming earnings reports from major companies like Tesla, Amazon, and Netflix, positioning portfolios based on margins and sector strength [9][40] Economic Indicators - Treasury yields remain below 4%, providing a supportive backdrop for equities, while inflation data continues to influence expectations around interest rates [5][30] - Analysts are particularly interested in companies that can maintain profit margins and deliver clear forward guidance, as these factors are attracting investor attention [27][36]

Core Insights - The overall sentiment in the business development company (BDC) sector has shifted due to elevated interest rates, which have hindered positive earnings growth and weakened dividends [1] Summary by Category Industry Sentiment - Elevated interest rates have negatively impacted the earnings growth of BDCs and have led to a decline in dividend strength [1] Investment Strategy - A hybrid investment strategy combining classic dividend growth stocks with BDCs, REITs, and Closed End Funds can enhance investment income while achieving total returns comparable to traditional index funds like the S&P [1]