Kevin Flanagan, head of fixed income strategy at WisdomTree, discusses the emerging “Warsh cycle” and what a new approach to Federal Reserve policy could mean for investors. Kevin explains how a more streamlined Fed, with less forward guidance and less emphasis on tools such as the dot plot, could leave markets more dependent on incoming economic data—and more vulnerable to volatility as investors interpret each new signal for themselves.
Kevin also makes the case that today’s interest-rate environment is less “higher for longer” than a return to historical normalcy. He explores why investors may need to rethink expectations for falling rates, remain cautious about taking on duration risk, and consider strategies designed to generate income while limiting rate sensitivity. The discussion also examines floating-rate Treasuries, interest-rate-hedged bond strategies, and barbell approaches that can help fixed income portfolios remain flexible across changing market conditions.
Resources: WisdomTree
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for definition of terms.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. For a prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus containing this and other important information about the fund, call 866.909.9473 or visit WisdomTree.com/us. Read the prospectus or, if available, the summary prospectus carefully before investing.
There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal. Please read the Fund’s prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
WisdomTree Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR): with floating rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with fixed interest rates, but may decline in value. Fixed income securities will normally decline in value as interest rates rise. The value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning in response to issuer or counterparty defaults and changes in the credit ratings of the Fund’s portfolio investments. Due to the investment strategy of this Fund it may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit, and the Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index.
WisdomTree Yield Enhanced U.S. Aggregate Bond Fund (AGGY): Fixed income investments are subject to interest rate risk; their value will normally decline as interest rates rise. Fixed income investments are also subject to credit risk, the risk that the issuer of a bond will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuer’s ability to make such payments will cause the price of that bond to decline. Investing in mortgage- and asset-backed securities involves interest rate, credit, valuation, extension and liquidity risks and the risk that payments on the underlying assets are delayed, prepaid, subordinated or defaulted on. Due to the investment strategy of the Fund, it may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit. The Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index.
WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Fund (HYZD): High-yield or “junk” bonds have lower credit ratings and involve a greater risk to principal. Fixed income investments are subject to interest rate risk; their value will normally decline as interest rates rise. The Fund seeks to mitigate interest rate risk by taking short positions in U.S. Treasuries (or futures providing exposure to U.S. Treasuries), but there is no guarantee this will be achieved. Derivative investments can be volatile and these investments may be less liquid than other securities, and more sensitive to the effects of varied economic conditions.
Fixed income investments are also subject to credit risk, the risk that the issuer of a bond will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuer’s ability to make such payments will cause the price of that bond to decline. The Fund may engage in “short sale” transactions where losses may be exaggerated, potentially losing more money than the actual cost of the investment and the third party to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund. While the Fund attempts to limit credit and counterparty exposure, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning in response to issuer or counterparty defaults and changes in the credit ratings of the Fund’s portfolio investments. Due to the investment strategy of the Fund, it may make higher capital gain distributions than other ETFs. The Fund invests in the securities included in, or representative of, its Index regardless of their investment merit and the Fund does not attempt to outperform its Index.
Kevin Flanagan is a registered representative of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
WisdomTree Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.
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