Record Inflows into Bank Loan and CLO ETFs Driven by Yield-Seeking Investors
Driven by the hunt for higher yields amid a changing interest rate environment, investors poured a record $25.6 billion into bank loan and CLO ETFs in 2024, contributing to $87 billion in risk-on credit flows; however, heavy exposure to these short-duration instruments carries risks.
Record Inflows into Bank Loan and CLO ETFs Driven by Yield-Seeking Investors
Driven by the hunt for higher yields amid a changing interest rate environment, investors poured a record $25.6 billion into bank loan and CLO ETFs in 2024, contributing to $87 billion in risk-on credit flows; however, heavy exposure to these short-duration instruments carries risks.
Progress
44% Bias Score
CD Rates Remain High in Early 2025, But Choices Abound
In early 2025, savers face a choice between relatively high-yield CDs and high-yield savings accounts, weighing the trade-off between fixed versus variable interest rates and the penalty for early CD withdrawals against their need for liquidity and risk tolerance.
CD Rates Remain High in Early 2025, But Choices Abound
In early 2025, savers face a choice between relatively high-yield CDs and high-yield savings accounts, weighing the trade-off between fixed versus variable interest rates and the penalty for early CD withdrawals against their need for liquidity and risk tolerance.
Progress
52% Bias Score
ECB Unconcerned About Imported Inflation, to Continue Gradual Rate Cuts
ECB President Christine Lagarde stated on Wednesday that the institution is not overly concerned about imported inflation from the U.S. and will continue to gradually cut interest rates; Eurozone inflation was 2.4% in December, and the ECB aims to reach its 2% inflation target by 2025.
ECB Unconcerned About Imported Inflation, to Continue Gradual Rate Cuts
ECB President Christine Lagarde stated on Wednesday that the institution is not overly concerned about imported inflation from the U.S. and will continue to gradually cut interest rates; Eurozone inflation was 2.4% in December, and the ECB aims to reach its 2% inflation target by 2025.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Record High French Savings in 2024: €16.8 Billion in Interest Payments
In 2024, French Livret A and LDDS accounts saw record interest payments of €16.8 billion due to net deposits of €21.42 billion, exceeding withdrawals, and reaching a total balance of €603.1 billion by December 31st, 2024. The 3% interest rate, coupled with economic uncertainty, fueled this increase.
Record High French Savings in 2024: €16.8 Billion in Interest Payments
In 2024, French Livret A and LDDS accounts saw record interest payments of €16.8 billion due to net deposits of €21.42 billion, exceeding withdrawals, and reaching a total balance of €603.1 billion by December 31st, 2024. The 3% interest rate, coupled with economic uncertainty, fueled this increase.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Dip CD Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve's three 2024 rate cuts lowered CD interest rates from approximately 5% to the 4-4.5% range, impacting short-term CDs most significantly, as banks adjusted deposit account rates and savers shifted to long-term options or high-yield accounts.
Federal Reserve Rate Cuts Dip CD Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve's three 2024 rate cuts lowered CD interest rates from approximately 5% to the 4-4.5% range, impacting short-term CDs most significantly, as banks adjusted deposit account rates and savers shifted to long-term options or high-yield accounts.
Progress
36% Bias Score
No Blanket Tariffs Boost ECB Rate Cut Bets
The lack of sweeping U.S. trade tariffs has boosted market confidence in the ECB's ability to cut rates, reversing recent investor fears about inflation and leading to predictions of four rate cuts this year; however, President Trump's future trade policy remains a wild card.
No Blanket Tariffs Boost ECB Rate Cut Bets
The lack of sweeping U.S. trade tariffs has boosted market confidence in the ECB's ability to cut rates, reversing recent investor fears about inflation and leading to predictions of four rate cuts this year; however, President Trump's future trade policy remains a wild card.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Home Equity Loans in 2025: Weighing Risks and Rewards
In 2025's rising inflation environment, homeowners with an average \$320,000 in home equity are considering loans (8.40% interest) versus higher-interest personal loans (nearly 13%) and credit cards (almost 23%), but must responsibly manage repayment to avoid losing their homes.
Home Equity Loans in 2025: Weighing Risks and Rewards
In 2025's rising inflation environment, homeowners with an average \$320,000 in home equity are considering loans (8.40% interest) versus higher-interest personal loans (nearly 13%) and credit cards (almost 23%), but must responsibly manage repayment to avoid losing their homes.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Home Equity Loans vs. HELOCs in 2025: Assessing Financial Risks
Homeowners can access home equity through loans (fixed rates) or HELOCs (variable rates), both currently cheaper than other loan types; the best choice depends on predicted interest rate movements in 2025, with foreclosure a risk if repayments fail.
Home Equity Loans vs. HELOCs in 2025: Assessing Financial Risks
Homeowners can access home equity through loans (fixed rates) or HELOCs (variable rates), both currently cheaper than other loan types; the best choice depends on predicted interest rate movements in 2025, with foreclosure a risk if repayments fail.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Trump Orders Housing Cost Relief Amidst Tariffs and Interest Rate Hikes
President Trump issued an executive order aiming to lower housing costs by reducing regulations, but this faces challenges from tariffs on Canadian lumber, potential labor shortages due to deportations, and the impact of rising interest rates.
Trump Orders Housing Cost Relief Amidst Tariffs and Interest Rate Hikes
President Trump issued an executive order aiming to lower housing costs by reducing regulations, but this faces challenges from tariffs on Canadian lumber, potential labor shortages due to deportations, and the impact of rising interest rates.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Australia's Housing Market Shifts from Seller's to Buyer's Market
Increased residential listings in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne (up 50 percent in some areas), coupled with a December 2024 drop in national property values, signal a shift from a seller's to a buyer's market, driven by high interest rates, cost-of-living pressures, and sellers ant...
Australia's Housing Market Shifts from Seller's to Buyer's Market
Increased residential listings in Australia, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne (up 50 percent in some areas), coupled with a December 2024 drop in national property values, signal a shift from a seller's to a buyer's market, driven by high interest rates, cost-of-living pressures, and sellers ant...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Home Equity Loans: A Strategic Move to Tackle High-Interest Credit Card Debt in 2025
In 2025, using home equity loans or HELOCs to pay off high-interest credit card debt offers significant financial advantages due to lower (around 8% versus 23%) and fixed interest rates, but carries the risk of home loss if payments are missed.
Home Equity Loans: A Strategic Move to Tackle High-Interest Credit Card Debt in 2025
In 2025, using home equity loans or HELOCs to pay off high-interest credit card debt offers significant financial advantages due to lower (around 8% versus 23%) and fixed interest rates, but carries the risk of home loss if payments are missed.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Lloyds Predicts Three U.K. Interest Rate Cuts in 2025
Lloyds Banking Group CEO Charlie Nunn predicts three Bank of England interest rate cuts in 2025, reflecting market expectations and potentially impacting the U.K. mortgage market; this comes amid a backdrop of global economic slowdown and regulatory actions against the bank for mis-sold auto loans.
Lloyds Predicts Three U.K. Interest Rate Cuts in 2025
Lloyds Banking Group CEO Charlie Nunn predicts three Bank of England interest rate cuts in 2025, reflecting market expectations and potentially impacting the U.K. mortgage market; this comes amid a backdrop of global economic slowdown and regulatory actions against the bank for mis-sold auto loans.
Progress
32% Bias Score