As we wrap up another wild week in the markets, here’s our latest collection of worthwhile reads on investing, personal finance, and stewardship.
Analysis: Why the Fed is likely to cut again (Wall Street Journal via Fidelity). The three reasons behind the Federal Reserve’s rate cut this week explain why the central bank is likely to lower rates again.
US added robust 273K jobs in February before virus escalated (Associated Press). It’s encouraging that the economy was pretty strong as we headed into the current storm.
30-year mortgage rates sink to record-low 3.29% on coronavirus fears (Bloomberg via Newsmax). If you’re in the market for a house purchase or refinance, opportunity knocks.
Vanguard throws in the towel on its managed payout fund (Barron’s). Payout funds got their start during the 2007-2008 financial crisis, but they haven’t worked very well. (If you hit a paywall, try accessing via this Yahoo Finance link.)
Changes are coming to your credit score (Kiplinger). Have a healthy credit score already? It may get even healthier under FICO’s new scoring model.
And from the bloggers and pundits...
Pandemics, portfolios and perspective (Phil Huber, Bps & Pieces). "The natural human response is to assume you need to do something. But investors often confuse activity with results."
Questions every investor needs to ask themselves right now (Ben Carlson, A Wealth of Common Sense). When volatility erupts, investors always search for a means of control.
It’s too late (Blair duQuesnay, The Belle Curve). Do you have a strategy you can stick with when times get tough?
21 investor mistakes during a stock market downturn (Maven Adviser). From 2018 (and from a British site), but the investing advice is evergreen.
The 4 things you can do with money (MoneyWise). A nifty graphic from our friends at MoneyWise illustrating the four basic purposes/uses for money — memorably categorized as "live, give, owe, grow."
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