Viewpoints about Interest Rates
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U.S. jobs report stuns—hello V-shaped recovery?
A robust jobs recovery in May caught investors by surprise. Can investors take this as a sign that the worst is over?
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U.S. bank stocks offer untapped potential—once the economy returns to normal
U.S. banks face declining interest rates, borrowers under stress, and a weak economy. Yet recent earnings results indicate banks may be well positioned to recover.
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What is modern monetary theory?
There’s been lots of talk about it, but just what is modern monetary theory? Learn both sides of the debate on an unorthodox approach to economic policy.
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Fiscal policy and the threat of global recession
Does COVID-19 require a different policy response than the Global Financial Crisis? We explore the need for big fiscal stimulus, not just monetary measures.
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The Fed's historic stimulus
Having slashed interest rates to near zero and played down the likelihood of negative rates, has the Fed run out of tools to prop up growth? Our experts think not. Read the latest analysis from Frances Donald.
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The Fed's emergency rate cut—what it can and cannot fix
What's the point of the Fed's emergency rate cut? It won't put an end to supply chain disruption or halt the coronavirus health crisis. But it may put the economy on a stronger long-term trajectory.
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Finding balance amid dramatic market volatility
The portfolio managers of John Hancock Balanced Fund provide an update on portfolio positioning amid coronavirus fears and what they think comes next for equity and bond markets.
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Coronavirus update: implications for U.S. interest rates
At the start of 2020, conventional wisdom suggests the Fed was done cutting rates for the time being. Then came the coronavirus outbreak. We list five reasons why the Fed might cut rates soon.
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Wealth creation and U.S. banks, revisited
While bank stocks lost some luster with investors in 2019 as interest rates fell and the yield curve flattened, the outlook has improved markedly in early 2020.
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Are certificates of deposit (CDs) the best place to park cash?
At first glance, CDs may look attractive to savers. Yet as the Fed cuts interest rates, yields are falling further. Other options—including short-term bond funds—may offer a more attractive way to put cash to work.
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