Core Viewpoint - Municipal bonds are performing well in early 2026, making them an attractive option for advisors and income investors, particularly through low-cost ETFs like the Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB) [1] Group 1: ETF Overview - The Schwab Municipal Bond ETF (SCMB) has $3.6 billion in assets and tracks the ICE AMT-Free Core U.S. National Municipal Index, providing broad exposure to the U.S. tax-exempt municipal market [1] - SCMB has an effective duration of 6.8 years, positioning it as an intermediate-term fund that can help reduce portfolio correlations with equities and longer-dated bonds [1] - The ETF charges a low expense ratio of 0.03% per year, equating to $3 on a $10,000 investment, making it cost-effective for investors [1] Group 2: Investment Timing and Seasonal Factors - Investors are advised not to rush into SCMB, as historical trends suggest that better pricing may be available in the coming months [1] - March has historically been the worst month for the municipal market, primarily due to investors liquidating holdings to meet tax obligations due in April [1] - While seasonal trends may not always repeat, holding SCMB longer allows investors to accumulate more income [1] Group 3: Income and Risk Considerations - SCMB offers a 30-day SEC yield of 3.25% and a yield-to-maturity of 3.78%, making it an appealing income-generating investment [1] - Approximately 64.60% of SCMB's holdings are revenue bonds, raising concerns about government funding issues, though these are viewed more as headline risks rather than credible threats to the municipal bond market [1] - The majority of SCMB's holdings are rated AAA, AA, or A, indicating a strong credit quality [1]

Visa (V) stock has dropped by more than 6% in the last five trading days, although the overall market has remained fairly stable. The reason for this drop is not related to earnings or guidance but rather politics. Instead, President Donald Trump has renewed his attack on the swipe fees associated with credit cards. A market is likely to move quickly when politics meets profit pools, especially when it is as visible as it is with interchange rates. The value of Visa already embeds a degree of stability a ...