Your Money

The Federal Reserve met last week and left its benchmark rate unchanged at 5.25% to 5.50%. While the interest rate didn't change, its projection for future rates got more hawkish. The median fed funds rate projections for 2024 and 2025 (the so-called "dot plots") were 0.5% higher than those in June. In other words, the members think interest rates will be higher for longer to put a lid on inflation.

These higher interest rates have made the attractiveness of risk-free Treasuries and other types of bonds improve relative to stocks. This is especially true for the more expensive market areas expecting rate cuts. This is because those companies' future profits are worth less relative to the risk-free returns from holding Treasuries to maturity.

While not immune to portfolio losses, PWM continues to avoid the areas where we feel valuations are stretched. We construct stock portfolios by diversifying geographically across companies with reasonable valuations and strong cash flows. We have also made public and private floating-rate bonds the cornerstone of our income portfolios.

Why Are Tech Stocks Down? Bond Yields Are Up
by Sam Goldfarb and Eric Wallerstein

Your Life

You know by now that allergy season comes in both Spring and Fall. So, with the changing leaves and dropping temperatures comes sniffles, stuffy noses, and itchy eyes from allergies to certain plants like ragweed. Unfortunately, climate change has increased the intensity of symptoms and the length of time that many people cope with their Autumn allergies. Your best defense is a good offense. Prepare by keeping an eye on local pollen and mold counts. It's best to avoid spending too much time outdoors when they're high. You can keep the AC running in your home to filter out allergens instead of leaving windows open. Don't wait to medicate. Adjust some household habits like changing your HVAC filter every three months; leaving shoes at the door and washing clothes immediately after spending time outdoors; showering or bathing at night to avoid bringing allergens to bed; not hanging clothes or bedding outside to dry after washing; and seeing an allergist. Prepare before it hits hard to reduce the itching, sneezing, and wheezing, and enjoy everything the Season offers.

Autumn is coming: Get ahead of allergy symptoms now
source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

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