Bonds & Interest Rates

US Treasury Yield Curve Flattest Since December 2018

The US treasury yield curve, as represented by the spread between the 10-year and two-year bond yields, is currently the flattest since December 2018.

As of writing, the spread is seen at 0.097 basis points – down more than 17 basis points from the high of 27.5 basis points seen on July 18.

Notably, the benchmark 10-year yield, which stood at 2% on July 31, fell to 1.59% on Wednesday and is now trading at 1.70%, meaning the yield is down 30 basis points on a month-to-date basis.

Investors have rushed for the safety of government bonds amid escalating US-China trade tensions….CLICK for complete article

3 Reasons Bitcoin Is Turning Into a Global Safe Haven for Investors

China’s recent currency devaluation seems in line with similar policies taking place across the globe. Let’s take a look why Bitcoin price is rising as a result and why investors are increasingly considering taking shelter in Bitcoin — a neutral and borderless network for storing and transferring value — alongside traditional safe haven assets.

Every fiat currency is devaluing itself on purpose.

As the U.S. and other countries attempt to bolster economic growth through rate cuts, investors are beginning to flock to gold, cash, government bonds and increasingly Bitcoin as a hedge, according to economist, Raoul Pal….CLICK for complete article 

What Happens When A Country Manipulates Its Currency?

A major part of China’s response to the latest tariff threats by President Donald Trump was to reduce the value of its currency to its lowest level relative to the dollar of the past decade. Trump fired back by having the Treasury Department officially name China a “currency manipulator.”

Markets have been reeling over the past week due to the ramping of the trade war between the U.S. and China.

While much of the focus has been on the tariffs, here’s a look at the impact a devalued yuan could have on the U.S. and Chinese economies….CLICK for complete article

Gold Climbs Higher As Stocks Tumble

The gold miners’ stocks have surged dramatically this summer, catapulted higher by gold’s major bull-market breakout. That atypical strength bucking the normal summer-doldrums slump has carried this sector right back to its traditional strong season. That begins with a robust autumn rally starting in late summers. This year’s autumn-rally setup is very unusual, but investment buying could still fuel further gains.

Seasonality is the tendency for prices to exhibit recurring patterns at certain times during the calendar year. While seasonality doesn’t drive price action, it quantifies annually-repeating behavior driven by sentiment, technicals, and fundamentals. We humans are creatures of habit and herd, which naturally colors our trading decisions. The calendar year’s passage affects the timing and intensity of buying and selling…CLICK for complete article

Your Financial Health Assessment Tool

There is no better time than the calm days of August to reflect on the future, and your financial plans are an important part of that future. As a special service for MoneyTalks listeners Andrew and the team at Integrated Wealth Management has created an easy to use online Financial Health Assessment that can be completed in 10 minutes. You’ll receive an automated report that includes:

  • An overall Financial Health score
  • Clarity on where you stand financially
  • Ideas on how to improve your portfolio

CLICK HERE to start this free and confidential tool. ~ Ed