The Treasury yield curve flattened for the second consecutive quarter as short-term yields rose due to a rate hike during the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) June 13 – 14 meeting. Long-term rates gradually declined over the quarter on declining inflation expectations, which were pushed even lower by oil’s 9% decline in price over the quarter [Figure 1]. The decline in longer-term yields was a tailwind for fixed income generally.

 

Much like the first quarter, economically sensitive domestic sectors of the bond market were aided by investors’ ongoing search for income in a low-yield, low-return environment and by ste

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Which State is Most Desirable For Pre-Retirees?

 

No state scored well in every category, and, conversely, no state did poorly in every category. Each pre-retiree’s decision is based on individual factors, and the category grades are designed to illuminate the different ways that “desirable” can be defined. A pre-retiree in a very healthy financial situation may put less weight on the financial category, as monetary considerations may be less meaningful than community and/or quality of life factors, for example. For others, the situation may be reversed. The Retirement Environment Index is designed to grade and ran

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