As the Federal Reserve's "hawkish pause" dominates headlines, investors are left wondering when the long-anticipated recession will be coming. During this week’s episode of the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Head of Credit Strategy, Sri Sankaran of Morgan Stanley to discuss the current dynamics in the high yield bond, credit default and leverage loan markets. 

Basis Point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

U.S. High Yield: What’s Priced In?

The U.S. Treasury market had a volatile week, as Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating and lawmakers advanced a major fiscal policy bill. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why investor attention has turned to long-duration debt and what it signals about concerns over deficits and debt sustainability.

Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent. 

Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for Definitions of terms and indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/glossary

A Global Aversion for Long Duration

From the back-and-forth headlines on tariffs to Powell’s cautious Fed messaging, investors face a summer of policy-driven volatility. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Samuel Rines, Macro Strategist of Model Portfolios to unpack the latest developments in tariffs, tax bills, and Treasury markets, and explain why staying grounded in fundamentals is more important than ever. 

Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent.  

Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for Definitions of terms and indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/glossary 

Trump, Powell & Rates: Tariffs On, Tariffs Off

Munis are the only major U.S. fixed income sector delivering negative returns in 2025, down 1.1%. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan analyzes why this underperformance may actually present a rare value opportunity for muni investors against this backdrop. 

Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent.  

Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for Definitions of terms and indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/glossary 

Municipals: Relative Value in U.S. Fixed Income

The Fed left rates unchanged for the fourth straight time in arow at the June FOMC meeting, holding the Fed Funds range at 4.25%–4.50%. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why Powell & Co. remain firmly in “wait and see” mode as tariff risks and mixed macro signals cloud the outlook for future cuts. 

Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent.  

Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for Definitions of terms and indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/glossary 

Fed Watch: In No Hurry

On top of all the geopolitical headlines the money and bond markets have had to contend with of late, there has been another news story which has recently garnered its own fair share of headlines: a new Fed Chair. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan gives his take on the conjecturing happening related to this possibility.

Will the Next Fed Chair Lurk in the ‘Shadows’?

Wondering what the second half of 2025 could look like for muni bonds? This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan talks with Jeff Burger, Senior Portfolio Manager at Insight Investment, about why recent legislation, aka the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, may be opening up new doors for Muni investors. From market supply to income potential, get the inside scoop on what makes WTMU and WTMY timely fixed income ideas.

Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent. 

What the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Means for Muni Investors

Private credit is no longer just for institutions and investors are taking notice. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Chris Acito, CEO of Gapstow Capital Partners, to unpack what private credit is, why it’s gaining traction and how investors can access it through the WisdomTree Private Credit and Alternative Income Fund (HYIN). Listen now to learn why this asset class is resonating with investors and how it could fit in your portfolio.
Basis Point: 1/100th of a percent.


Early to the Private Credit Party

At the July FOMC meeting, the Fed left rates unchanged for the fifth straight time, holding firm at 4.25%–4.50%. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explains why mixed data, tariff risks and signs of internal dissent are keeping policy makers cautious on the next move. 

Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. 


Fed Watch: See You in September?

Is the Fed ready to pivot? Following a surprisingly soft July jobs report and historic downward revisions, Kevin Flanagan breaks down why a September rate cut may be back on the table in this week’s episode of Basis Points. Tune in as he explores the shifting labor market, key inflation data to watch and how fixed income investors can position portfolios with short-duration strategies. 

Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. 

Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for Definitions of terms and indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/glossary 

Is a September Rate Cut Now in Play?

Following the softer than expected July jobs report, the money and bond markets have fully embraced the narrative that a Fed rate cut will be coming at the September FOMC meeting. In this episode, Kevin Flanagan gives his thoughts on the Treasury yield curves to watch and where they may be headed in the months ahead. 

Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent.

Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/glossary

Basis Points: Steeper Curves Ahead

Macro commentary and expert-led discussions highlight what’s happening now in fixed income investing, so you can prepare for what’s next.

Investing involves risks including loss of principal. This material represents the opinions of the participants at a specific time and is not intended to forecast future events or guarantee future results and should not be relied upon as investment advice. Kevin Flanagan is a registered rep of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

U.S. High Yield: What’s Priced In?

Basis Points by WisdomTree Asset Management

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