Randall W. Forsyth

The changing makeup of the blue chip index reflects upheaval in American business.

Bond indexes are made up of the largest issues, so index funds are constructed along those criteria—regardless of the bonds’ value.

The starkest contrast between then and now is the fiscal policy situation, with the federal deficit moving from a surplus to 6% of GDP.

The central bank’s new chairman brings some new ideas but could face significant dissent. Will he participate in the Dot Plot?

Investors’ focus, away from the much-hyped SpaceX IPO, will be the coming week’s consumer price index for May.

The recent shift from U.S. assets to gold mirrors 1971, when central banks dumped dollars before President Nixon ended gold convertibility.

The pitfalls of municipal bonds in this highly idiosyncratic market, especially when investing in an index-based fund.

Federal spending and inflation are sending long-term yields higher across the developed world. Will the 30-year Treasury yield 6% in a year?

One result of the massive monetary expansion was an upsurge in inflation, to a peak of over 9% in 2022—which the Fed infamously termed “transitory.”

Muni investing is complex. Why a chatbot isn’t ready to replace your financial advisor.

Kevin Warsh will face internal dissent and economic uncertainty brought on by the Iran war when he takes the reins of the Federal Reserve in May.

Funds that specialize in credit research, adding return without taking lots of duration risk, are a better bet than run-of-the-mill bond ETFs.

The Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged until the outlook for energy prices and inflation becomes clear. It could take many months.

The Trump administration’s defense-budget requests alone will put U.S. finances on a more precarious course.

Wall Street is focused on the time to buy rather than the need to sell, which means the coming earnings season is crucial.

The stresses in private lending are concentrated in just a few sectors and don’t impact bank balance sheets, unlike during the financial crisis.

Stocks are falling, oil is surging, and the Fed is no longer likely to provide rate cuts. For now, cash is the only haven.

Stocks are falling, inflation is growing, the Fed may be hamstrung. What else could go wrong? At least there are bargains in business development companies whose stocks were crushed.

Policy decisions have fueled a bull market, which has enriched asset holders and driven consumer spending. But market cycles haven’t been permanently repealed.

Dow 50,000 could mark an interim top as AI fears hit new industries and hopes for interest-rate cuts diminish.