This week’s podcast is a discussion focused on the balance between holding cash and long-term investments. We compare investment strategies for individuals and large-scale entities given the backdrop of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

Of the $34 trillion of US debt outstanding, around 30 percent is expected to be refinanced at potentially higher rates in 2024. We discuss the implications of a trillion dollar interest payment alongside the Fed’s mandate of stable prices through the setting of interest rate policy.

As we approach the end of 2023, it's a fitting time to reflect on a few financial trends that have shaped the year. Our latest conversation provides insights into three core areas: interest rates, inflation, and stock market performance.

Planning ahead empowers us to face unafraid the [financial] plans that we've made. Also, Santa rallies and cyclical trends. (video)

While we value short-term, high-quality bonds for a portion of the portfolio, it’s important to consider the total percentage owned in one’s portfolio. We discuss how taxes and inflation can affect “real” returns and how historically, a diversified portfolio has compared to bonds.

US Treasury interest rates have been rising in recent weeks. We discuss where the interest on treasury bonds comes from and what higher rates can mean for investors.