After a hectic week, John Stepek takes a look at the charts that matter most to the global economy.
Latest recession scare is a false alarm
Markets have been spooked by the inversion of the US bond yield curve, which often – but not always – heralds a recession.
By: Marina Gerner
Are bond yields heading for new lows?
Government bond yields are turning negative. John Stepek looks at why people would pay to borrow from governments, and what it means for the markets and for your money.
By: John Stepek
A genuinely scary moment for markets
Markets took fright on Friday after the US Treasury bond “yield curve” inverted. John Stepek explains what that means, and why markets fear we could be heading for a recession.
By: John Stepek
Interest rates around the world are quietly creeping higher – why?
The cost of borrowing for governments around the world is creeping higher. John Stepek explains why that’s so important for investors.
By: John Stepek
The charts that matter: the tug of war continues
As the US Federal Reserve backs off, John Stepek looks at how quantitative tightening is affecting the global economy’s most important charts.
By: John Stepek
Stash your cash in bond ETFs
A savings account isn’t always practical. Here’s what to do with the cash in your portfolio.
The charts that matter: the V-shaped rally stalls
As the stockmarket rally peters out, John Stepek looks to the global economy’s most important charts to see where we might go from here.
By: John Stepek
Why we believe in convertible bonds for 2019
A convertible bond is a fixed-rate instrument that can convert into shares at a specific share price, which is preset by the issuing company at a premium over the current share price.
Could 2019 see the beginning of the end for the US dollar?
The US defaulting on its debt is almost unthinkable. But with Trump in charge, it’s a tiny bit more thinkable than it was. And that would have disastrous consequences for the dollar.
By: John Stepek
This was the most important event for markets in 2018
Forget the year’s political shenanigans. They’ve been largely irrelevant to the markets. The one thing driving the markets this year was Jerome Powell’s appointment as chair of the Fed. Here’s why.
By: John Stepek
How gilts work and why they matter
Ed Bowsher takes a look at UK government bonds – how they work, why they are important, and whether you should invest in them.