BKT News and Press, BlackRock Income Trust Inc. From 04/21/21

I believe that those investing in the broad stock market indexes are taking a lot of risk right now, and that it would serve them well to hold some bonds. At present, the 10-year Treasury note is priced to return 1.57%/year. The concept of avoiding a bigger loss is a tough one for...

The biggest positive influence for stocks would be that the Fed increases the amount of money it puts into bonds, which is still unknown. After a torrid March, volume in the options market had fallen off some, resulting in a slower trading pace for stocks early in the week, until Frid...

Global stocks rose in the first quarter, but volatile trading patterns reminded investors that the road to normal will be bumpy. Solid market gains masked rapidly changing market conditions. Perhaps the biggest overriding risk that surfaced in early 2021 is the power of a sentimen...

The stock market continues in its 2021 uptrend, and the options market remains a significant influence on stock prices. Earlier this year, I suggested that shares of energy drink company Monster would be interesting as they were engaged in a caffeine war with Starbucks. Stocks are...

Annuities are another option for a place to put your hard-earned money and can be almost guaranteed for fixed annuities. They offer monthly cash flow in the distribution phase of their life and this can be immediate or deferred. Closed-end funds are also an excellent way to produc...

The jarring retreat in global bond markets this year has provoked comparisons to the mid-2013 Taper Tantrum, when the Fed hinted at the prospect of scaling back its QE program. While today's upheaval shares many similarities with that earlier event, there are also some notable differe...

Real yields of reserve currency sovereign bonds are negative and the lowest ever. Bonds have been in a 40-year bull market that has rewarded those who were long and penalized those who were short, so the bull market has produced a large number of comfortable longs who haven't gotten s...

Revisiting DSL after the distribution cut looks like there is still some opportunity here. High yield and emerging market debt can mean less sensitivity to interest rate increases that DSL invests in. Distribution coverage going forward should be strong after the adjustment previo...

It should be no surprise that profit-maximizing speculators will seek the best risk-adjusted returns wherever and whenever they might perceive them. While the securities lending side of the financial world can be and most often is pliable, fungible, and, at times, horrifically forgivi...

Amid ongoing debates about fiscal and monetary policy in February, global sovereign debt markets experienced a widespread sell-off for the second consecutive month. In Japan, the 10-year government bond yield climbed 11 basis points to finish at 0.16%, its highest closing point since ...