Global trade is being redefined through structural tariffs and new alliances. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan is joined by WisdomTree Macro Strategist of Model Portfolios, Sam Rines and Head of Equity Strategy, Jeff Weniger to discuss how investors should position for the next phase of global macro realignment.  

Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent. 

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

Positioning Portfolios for a New Trade Regime

In what investors thought was going to be a nice start to a weekend in May got turned around with a late Friday announcement that Moody’s had just downgraded the U.S. long-term credit rating. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan provides context for investors and explains why the move was expected, aligns with past ratings, and ultimately won’t shake Treasuries’ global dominance. 

Basis Points: 1/100th of 1 percent. 

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

Putting a Downgrade in Perspective

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

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’?

The WisdomTree Yield Enhanced U.S. Aggregate Bond Fund (AGGY) has a decade under its belt, and a performance edge to show for it. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan shows how this core bond ETF outpaced the Agg by +1.6% over 10 years, proving its staying power across market cycles. 

Basis Point: 1/100th of 1 percent.  

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

A Core Fixed Income Solution That is Built to Last

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

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?

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.

New tracks tagged #fixedincome