Man confused looking at the stock market

Fixed Income Amid Market Uncertainty

Early this year, many stopped spending and began saving money. This wasn’t difficult as many areas of the economy were — and possibly still are — shut down. For some, vacation plans were canceled, and the normal level of entertainment activities and dining out have been curbed. If you’ve remained employed, chances are good you’ve been able to step up your level of savings this year. However, with current interest rates, it can feel like savings accounts are stagnating. Should you take the risk of investing for higher returns amid today’s continuing market uncertainty?1

It’s worth noting that by mid-August, the S&P 500 had fully recovered from the 34% pandemic-induced plunge that occurred between February and March earlier this year.2 Of course, this is great news for equity investors who stayed in the market, but stock portfolios continue to be worrisome. You may wonder if financial rewards are truly commensurate given the level of anxiety associated with market declines, but there are ways to help reduce your risks and still have the opportunity for growth. If you’d like to discuss various options, please feel free to contact us.

Traditionally, stocks have yielded higher long-term gains than bond portfolios, but the tradeoff is more volatility. A recent analysis by a Wharton professor shows that historical dynamic has shifted somewhat throughout the past five decades. In fact, fixed-income portfolios have performed as well, if not better, than the U.S. stock market during this time frame. Perhaps even more surprising, fixed income has exhibited similar or more volatility than comparably performing stock portfolios.3

According to the Capital Group, investors may want to consider four strategies for deploying a fixed-income portfolio during this current period of investment uncertainty:4

  • Look at short-term bond funds that focus on high-quality and liquid investments.
  • Consider high-quality core bond funds for capital preservation to help diversify equity holdings.
  • Be prepared for defaults and downgrades at the high yield, low end of the investment-grade spectrum.
  • Reconsider municipal bonds, which offer pockets of compelling value relative to U.S. Treasurys.

The interest rate environment is another casualty of the pandemic. Low rates may keep debt payments low, but they also spell lower returns for retirement accounts and pension funds. The recent Federal Reserve announcement that it expects to hold interest rates near zero at least until 2023 does not bode well for retirees or those approaching retirement.5


Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.

1 Jill Cornfield. CNBC. June 22, 2020. “You saved a lot of money during the shutdown. Here’s one reason you may not feel like you’re ahead.” https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/22/why-you-dont-feel-better-about-the-money-you-saved-amid-the-pandemic.html. Accessed Oct. 5, 2020.

2 Stan Choe, Alex Veiga and Christopher Rugaber. Associated Press. Aug. 12, 2020. “How can Wall Street be so healthy when Main Street isn’t?” https://apnews.com/article/6cadd78335fd98926ffb1e5d6ecb2916. Accessed Oct. 5, 2020.

3 Knowledge@Wharton. Aug. 11, 2020. “How Fixed-income Portfolios Match or Beat Stocks in the Long Run.” https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/fixed-income-portfolios-match-beat-stocks-long-run/. Accessed Oct. 5, 2020.

4 Mike Gitlin, Pramod Atluri and Karl Zeile. Capital Group. June 17, 2020. “Four actions to take in bond portfolios.”

https://www.capitalgroup.com/advisor/insights/articles/fixed-income-midyear-outlook-2020.html. Accessed Oct. 5, 2020.

5 Knowledge@Wharton. Oct. 6, 2020. “Why Low Interest Rates Hurt Retirees.” https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/why-low-interest-rates-hurt-retirees/. Accessed Oct. 6, 2020.


Bond obligations are subject to the financial strength of the bond issuer and its ability to pay. Before investing, consult your financial adviser to understand the risks involved with purchasing bonds.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

10/20-1366227C

Posted in

Advisory services are offered through EdgeRock Capital, LLC (“EdgeRock”), an independent SEC-registered investment advisor. Registration with the SEC as an investment adviser does not imply that EdgeRock or its owner or employees of EdgeRock possess a particular level of skill or training in the investment advisory or any other business. The firm’s disclosure documents (Form ADV 2 – Brochure, Privacy Policy, etc.) are available online at www.edgerockwealth.com. EdgeRock is not a broker-dealer. EdgeRock Wealth Management, LLC is an independent financial services firm that helps individuals, families and companies create strategies which use a variety of investment and insurance products to suit their needs and goals. Advisory services are provided by EdgeRock Capital, LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registration does not imply any level of skill or training. The information presented in this video is for educational purposes only and does not represent an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any specific securities, investments, investment strategies, or insurance products or services by EdgeRock Wealth Management, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this website or video. Investing involves risk of loss. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Changes in investment strategies, contributions or withdrawals, and economic and market conditions will materially alter the performance of your account. Nothing in this website or video is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation. EdgeRock Wealth Management, LLC links information provided by third parties to assist users in locating information on topics that might be of interest to them. Although the information presented is from sources we deem to be reliable, it has not been verified and is not guaranteed, nor can we attest to the accuracy of the information. Presenting information provided by a third party does not constitute a representation of the products or services offered by our firm and does it constitute an endorsement by our firm of the sponsors of the website or video or the information, products or services presented on the website. No consideration of any kind has been paid to or by EdgeRock Wealth Management, LLC or EdgeRock Capital, LLC for the information discussed on the website or in this video. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the needs of an individual’s situation. Please consult your financial advisor before buying or selling any security.

Latest Posts

Ready to Take The Next Step?


For more information about any of the products and services we provide, schedule a meeting today or register to attend a seminar.

Or give us a call at (303) 780-7350