Central banks pose risk of higher interest rates

Central banks pose risk of higher interest rates

This fall, the Federal Reserve announced its widely anticipated third round of quantitative easing, commonly referred to as “QE3.” The aim of this latest initiative is to keep interest rates low in order to encourage investor risk taking and investment in the economy. Like the two rounds of easing that preceded QE3, the Fed will

Global bond opportunities growing

Global bond opportunities growing

In the years leading up to the global financial crisis, growth across a number of countries was relatively homogenous. That changed in 2008, as nations implemented markedly different policy responses to the recession. Many emerging economies that sidestepped the debt crisis altogether are now damping down rapid growth, while developed economies continue to experiment with

Europe faces debt restructuring challenges

Europe faces debt restructuring challenges

There are two main issues at stake in the European debt markets. The first is a short-term liquidity issue: Will these economically troubled European nations have the capital to make the next interest payments on their debts? The answer, for the time being, appears to be yes: Greece, after receiving massive funding infusions, has been

Investor uncertainty dominated bond markets in late 2011

Investor uncertainty dominated bond markets in late 2011

Uncertainty remained high in the fourth quarter of 2011 as the large macroeconomic challenges that dominated headlines throughout the year continued to weigh on investor confidence. Treasury rates in the United States declined slightly amid solid demand, while discussions over reducing the size of the federal deficit continued to take center stage heading into the