On June 15, 2022, the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised the federal funds rate to 1.65 percent. They vowed to “undertake open market operations as necessary to maintain the federal funds rate in a target range of 1.5-to-1.75 percent.” Let’s call it 1.75 percent for today’s discussion, which is in line with the usual commentary. According to Bloomberg data, the bond market is pricing in that short-term interest rates will hit 3.6 percent. How might short-term interest rates reach 3.6%? Let’s plot how the Fed could drive short-term interest rates to 3.6 percent. As of June 15, 2022,…
Insights & Advice
Allen Harris
Money in Motion Part 2: Family Matters
In marriage and divorce, through life and death, your money is in motion. Making the right financial decisions can feel downright impossible when relationships and emotions come into play, but protecting your family and future is especially critical during these times. Here are five moments when your family may set your money in motion and what to look out for when they do: Getting married You probably already know that nearly 50% of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce or separation, but did you know that arguing about finances every week increases the likelihood of divorce by 30%?…
Unpopular opinions in the face of a bear market
Recently I had the honor of presenting at the 36th Private Wealth Management Summit. My audience was a few hundred-ish other investment advisors. The event was described as “an invitation-only, premium summit bringing leading private wealth management investors and innovative fund managers and consultants together.” Although I was given the role of advising other advisors, I certainly wouldn’t describe myself as “leading.” Perhaps “innovative,” if, in this case, innovative means “social pariah.” Let me tell you the story of how Allen Harris made about 600 eyeballs roll. It’s too late to make defensive moves in your portfolios My presentation was titled…
New data reveals how American values impact financial choices
Charles Schwab’s sixth-annual Modern Wealth Survey revealed that people with money do have a heart. Almost three-quarters of the American respondents (73 percent) say that their values govern their life decisions. And almost as many (69 percent) say their top financial considerations support causes they care about. When deciding where to place investment dollars, Americans consider such things as the company’s reputation (91 percent). Corporate values (81 percent) are nearly as crucial as traditional factors. The company’s financial performance (96 percent) and the price (93 percent) still mattered the most, but barely. These values carry over to the workplace. More than 8…