The rise of the machines is upon us, as automated “robo-advisors” absorb an increasing share of the retail investing market. Their pitch is simple: robots are logical and disciplined decision makers that don’t require a salary and don’t worry about their commissions. Their computing power allows them to provide sophisticated features like automated rebalancing, tax-loss…
In the buildup to the 2016 U.S. Presidential elections, Wall Street analysts made it very clear that a Trump presidency could be bad for the market. Wall Street was particularly worried about Trump’s tendency to trigger market uncertainty with unguarded speech and brash actions. However, Wall Street eventually warmed up to the idea of a…
By Pilar Gomez-Bravo, CFA, MFS Director of Fixed Income – Europe The potential diversification benefits of fixed income in a portfolio are well known by most investors. Adding bonds to an equity portfolio can help reduce portfolio volatility and protect capital over time. That’s why fixed income is sometimes referred to as the “ballast” of…
By William J. Adams, Chief Investment Officer, MFS Global Fixed Income In the late 1970s and early ’80s, the US steel industry was under tremendous pressure from importers, who could sell steel cheaper than domestic producers. Many in the industry called for protectionist measures to level the playing field. Ken Iverson, the late CEO of…
By Erik Weisman, MFS Chief Economist A common question we get from advisors is, “How do you protect a portfolio in a rising rates environment?” Part of my answer is this: Don’t be so sure that rates are going up — because the bull market in fixed income may not be over. We’ve experienced a…
Getting started in investing can be nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be! If you know the pitfalls to avoid, you’ll have the ability to invest with confidence. That’s why today, we’re going to talk about the most common pitfalls beginner investors get sucked into so that you know exactly what to avoid. Pitfall #1:…