Cash and Short-Term Funds

Tariff uncertainty, a weakening US dollar, and surging Treasury yields are flashing warning signs for investors. Explore how political risks, fiscal policy, and global volatility are reshaping capital flows and market confidence.

Last week President Trump announced tariffs on nearly all US trading partners, a move that far exceeded the most pessimistic expectations of market participants.

Adam Hetts, Global Head of Multi-Asset & Portfolio Manager, and Oliver Blackbourn, Portfolio Manager, give their thoughts on how US President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs have reshaped global trade dynamics, emphasising the benefits of diversification at a time of heightened uncertainty about the prospects for growth.

Since mid-January, a new political regime in Washington has shaken the geopolitical landscape and global markets. In this volatile environment, bonds have performed well, resuming their traditional role as ballast against falling stock prices and attracting strong demand from investors.

The time is right to let the Fed's balance sheet level off.

At their March meeting, Federal Reserve officials left the policy rate unchanged at 4.25%–4.5% and signaled further patience on rate cuts as they navigate greater uncertainty about the economic outlook.

Policies to support mainstream crypto adoption are underway.

One of the biggest challenges investors face today is navigating the most concentrated U.S. stock market in history, where the largest stocks represent a record share of total market value.

Most of us associate 529 accounts with college savings. They’re flexible, allowing you to transfer assets to anyone, including yourself, for the express purpose of furthering the education of your beneficiary. But did you know that a 529 can be a powerful estate planning tool?

With our most reliable valuation measures more extreme than both the 1929 and 2000 market peaks, we continue to believe that the stock market is tracing out the extended peak of the third great speculative bubble in U.S. history.

Building a bond portfolio these days isn’t easy. Interest rates have been volatile. Credit spreads are tight. And sweeping change in US fiscal, trade, and regulatory policy is underway. We think securitized assets deserve a closer look.

Recent developments may just offer advisors and investors fresh pathways with which to attain higher yield in 2025.

In the case of bond ETFs, it was a strong year in 2024, and key areas could be touch points for investment opportunities.

The fourth quarter was particularly volatile in fixed income markets, with U.S. government bond yields surging on worries over the rising fiscal deficit and the potential for inflation to reaccelerate.

Investors, many of whom were worried about stock valuations before the election, have much to consider heading into 2025. There seems reason for some exuberance—but a rational exuberance, based upon a plausible foundation of corporate and economic health.

It is sometimes perceived that the Fed’s action changes all interest rates across the yield curve, but that needs to be put in perspective.

New policies could disrupt markets, but high starting yields and strong demand for income should provide ballast.

With all eyes focused on the White House, investors must decide what the incoming President’s policies will mean for markets and how to position accordingly. Ahead of the inauguration, we asked our portfolio managers what they think should be front of mind.

The calendar page has turned, and that means we have the opportunity to get 2025 off to a good start.

European bond markets are climbing a mountain of worry. Despite the risks, history suggests a positive outcome.

Continued volatility, falling yields, and other expectations for the year ahead, plus seven strategies to take advantage.

We prefer equities over fixed income, in particular U.S. equities as the outlook for the U.S. economy is solid and promising.

As the year comes to a close, we revisit some of the key market themes and moves for 2024 and the year ahead.

On Friday December 6th, the U.S. stock market pushed to the most extreme level of valuation in U.S. history

Short-term bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can provide yield seekers with a viable alternative to money market funds.

How a diversified liquidity strategy might help time-strapped corporate treasurers reduce vulnerabilities and improve adaptability in uncertain markets while maintaining access to cash.

Portfolio managers and market strategists from Payden & Rygel review the opportunities and risks ahead for four bond market sectors: high yield, emerging markets, global bonds and low duration securities.

Dan Suzuki analyzes current and historical trends in investors' stock, bond, and cash holdings to assess whether this "cash on the sidelines" narrative could be a valid catalyst for pushing the stock market to new highs.

Assets in money market funds reached an all-time high of $7 trillion this past month. Now that rates are moving lower, money market yields may not be as attractive to many investors and assets may gradually leave money funds.

A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about how the deficit had come back into focus for the U.S. financial markets.

We launched QuantStreet a little over three years ago, and our first accounts went live as of December 2021.

In the weeks surrounding the US election, US bond yields climbed sharply, reflecting speculation that President-elect Trump’s policies could lead to higher inflation and a widening federal deficit.

The inverse correlation between bonds and stocks has returned, broadening potential for risk-adjusted returns in multi-asset portfolios.

We seek to capitalize on today’s attractive yields while staying mindful of economic and market uncertainties.

Your fixed income strategy does not necessarily need to be adjusted based on every personnel or environmental change.

Recent insights from Natixis Investment Managers breaks down a few fixed income risks that investors may not be aware of.

Investors have been married to their money market funds for the better part of the last two years.

Here we are, another calendar quarter down with one more to go in 2024, and investors have yet to see a “hard landing” emerge.

Volatile interest rates have spurred investment capital into motion. Clients often ask where they should allocate on the yield curve.

The FOMC lowered the Fed Funds rate by 50 basis points at their September meeting. This was the first cut in over four years and the start of what is expected to be a multi-year easing cycle.

The tendency to blindly follow these rules has led investors towards prematurely de-risking and over-estimating the likelihood of recession.

Fed easing cycles and lowered target interest rates impact various economic sectors, such as mortgages, consumer credit and cash investments.

One of most dangerous habits of a speculative crowd is the tendency to use unconditional averages and unconditional probabilities regardless of how extreme market conditions have become. This is like stepping into a house with two rooms, one with the temperature at 0 degrees and one at 140 degrees, and expecting a temperature of 70 either way.

Turbulent market conditions can make anyone nervous. Here's what investors should know about dealing with them.

Cash strategies may seem safe, but inflation can bite into returns. Instead, investors can try to outperform inflation with equities.

Everything I’ve learned and experienced in 50+ years of watching the economy tells me not to expect a soft landing. But maybe that’s because I’ve never actually seen one.

As the Fed shifts its stance, investors must now weigh the broader economic implications.

After the Fed's 50-basis-point rate cut, big banks kick off earnings season amid fears that lower rates could hurt the net-interest income that propelled growth the last two years.

We are currently in the “everything market.” It doesn’t matter what you have probably invested in; it is currently increasing in value. However, it isn’t likely for the reasons you think. A recent Marketwatch interview with the always bullish Jim Paulson got his reasoning for the rally.

We expect bond yields to trend gradually lower—but it may be a bumpy ride. These seven strategies may help investors take advantage.

We believe municipal bonds currently offer a compelling balance of risk and reward for investors in higher tax brackets.