Core Viewpoint - Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller suggests he may align with the majority of Fed officials in favor of maintaining interest rates if February labor market data indicates stability [1] Group 1 - Waller's comments reflect a potential consensus among Fed officials regarding interest rate policy [1] - The decision to hold interest rates will depend on the strength of the labor market as indicated by February data [1]

Core Viewpoint - Income-focused investors may benefit from a potential pause in interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, as recent inflation data suggests less urgency for rate cuts [1] Inflation and Federal Reserve - The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report indicated a 2.6% annual increase in consumer prices for December, which was 0.1% lower than expectations, suggesting inflation may not be as significant a risk as previously thought [1] - Cleveland Fed President Elizabeth Hammack stated that interest rates "could be on hold for quite some time," allowing the Fed to assess incoming data without immediate pressure [1] Investment Strategies - A diversified income strategy is recommended over a single income strategy in the current environment, as both closed-end funds and business development companies could benefit from a neutral Fed and lower inflation [1] - Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are expected to perform well as borrowing costs stabilize and yield comparisons with bonds improve, historically thriving after the Fed's initial rate cuts [1] - Energy infrastructure partnerships have shown limited sensitivity to interest rate cycles, supported by contract-based revenues and steady demand [1] HIPS ETF - The GraniteShares HIPS US High Income ETF (HIPS) offers a diversified approach by tapping into four income sources: closed-end funds, master limited partnerships (MLPs), business development companies (BDCs), and REITs [1] - HIPS provides a compelling yield, with a 30-day SEC yield of 12.15% as of January 28, 2026, allowing investors to access multiple income avenues [1]