WashingtonWise

With the Federal Reserve hiking its baseline interest rate for the first time in more than three years and bond yields rising to levels not seen in two decades, the bond market has been top-of-mind for investors lately. On this episode of WashingtonWise, host Mike Townsend sits down with Collin Martin, head of fixed income research and strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, to unpack what's going on in the bond market. Collin offers his perspective on the Fed's rate hike, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's buyback program and whether concerns about the growing national debt are affecting bond markets. He shares his outlook for rates, credit markets, and fixed-income investing heading into 2027, and where investors may find potential opportunities in today’s market.
Mike provides the latest news from Washington, including how Congress is responding to the president's plan to give every American adult $5,000 after the election and a big policy setback for the cryptocurrency industry.
WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/WashingtonWise.
If you enjoy the show, please leave a ★★★★★ rating or review on Apple Podcasts
DISCLOSURES
The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.
This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.
All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.
All names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.
Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy.
Cryptocurrency-related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended
Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data.
Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors.
High-yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (junk bonds) are subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risks and may be more volatile than higher-rated securities. High-yield securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments.
Preferred securities are a type of hybrid investment that share characteristics of both stock and bonds. They are often callable, meaning the issuing company may redeem the security at a certain price after a certain date. Such call features, and the timing of a call, may affect the security’s yield. Preferred securities generally have lower credit ratings and a lower claim to assets than the issuer's individual bonds. Like bonds, prices of preferred securities tend to move inversely with interest rates, so their prices may fall during periods of rising interest rates. Investment value will fluctuate, and preferred securities, when sold before maturity, may be worth more or less than original cost. Preferred securities are subject to various other risks including changes in interest rates and credit quality, default risks, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, deferral risk, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors.
The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
0926-BHW2

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History tells us that markets are usually flat in the run-up to midterm elections. Can strong earnings continue to power the market through the election and beyond? On this episode, host Mike Townsend is joined by Joe Mazzola, Schwab's head trading and derivatives strategist, for a conversation about whether history still offers a useful guide to a market that has repeatedly defied it in 2026. Joe shares how an unusually strong earnings backdrop—with revenue, profit, and margin growth rising together—has powered the rally, and why a higher bar for future results could make those gains harder to repeat. He also unpacks how turmoil in the bond market is impacting equities and how the market is thinking about a possible Fed rate hike. And he shares practical approaches investors can consider to manage short-term volatility heading into the election and where investors seeking genuine diversification might look for opportunities.
Mike also provides his thoughts on the latest developments in Washington, including a preview of next week's Fed meeting, how Congress has staved off—for now—a government shutdown, and the implications of the national debt passing the $40 trillion mark.
WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/WashingtonWise.
If you enjoy the show, please leave a ★★★★★ rating or review on Apple Podcasts.
DISCLOSURES
The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.
This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.
All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.
All names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.
Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy.
Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data.
Futures and futures options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options: https://www.schwab.com/Futures_RiskDisclosure] prior to trading futures products.
Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses (and/or "transaction fees or other related expenses"), and cannot be invested in directly. For more information on indexes, please see ​schwab.com/indexdefinitions
0926-556U

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Congress may be heading out the door for its annual summer recess, but there is still plenty going on in Washington that could affect markets and portfolios. Host Mike Townsend dives into why the Federal Reserve remains the most important policy story for investors, including this week's decision to hold interest rates steady, the committee's cautious approach to inflation, and new Chair Kevin Warsh's plan for a major overhaul of how the Fed operates. He also discusses how the ever-evolving tariff regime is creating planning challenges for companies; how AI regulation and public resistance to data centers are emerging as key issues for this booming industry; the Bureau of Labor Statistics focus on ensuring the integrity of economic data; and efforts by Congress to avoid a pre-election government shutdown. Plus, Mike shares his outlook for the highly competitive midterm elections and why he thinks split control of Congress is the most likely outcome. 

WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/WashingtonWise.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a ★★★★★ rating or review on Apple Podcasts

 

DISCLOSURES

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not  suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy.

All names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses  and cannot be invested in directly.  schwab.com/indexdefinitions.

0726-PRTS 

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After a down first quarter of 2026, stocks rebounded sharply in the second quarter, with major indexes seeing double-digit gains. Now the market environment is both surprisingly strong and deeply unsettled. On this episode of WashingtonWise, Daniel Stein, manager of two Charles Schwab branches in Virginia, joins host Mike Townsend to discuss the importance of understanding what is in your portfolio and how the balance may have shifted due to multiple factors, including a market run-up that likely resulted in overconcentration of mega-cap stocks, the enthusiasm over artificial intelligence and high-profile IPOs, and changing index rules. Dan offers practical guidance on reassessing risk tolerance and bringing your portfolio back into balance with your long-term plan in order to reduce anxiety and stay focused through market volatility.

Mike also covers the latest from Washington, including a key Supreme Court decision for Fed independence, the surprising way a bipartisan housing bill became law, and the launch of Trump Accounts for children.

WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/WashingtonWise.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a ★★★★★ rating or review on Apple Podcasts

 

DISCLOSURES

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

Investors in mutual funds and/or ETFs should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

​Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

All names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Diversification, asset allocation and rebalancing strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.

Rebalancing may cause investors to incur transaction costs and, when a non-retirement account is rebalanced, taxable events may be created that may affect your tax liability.

Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data.

Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy.

International investments involve additional risks, which include differences in financial accounting standards, currency fluctuations, geopolitical risk, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets.

Digital currencies [such as bitcoin] are highly volatile and not backed by any central bank or government. Digital currencies lack many of the regulations and consumer protections that legal-tender currencies and regulated securities have. Due to the high level of risk, investors should view digital currencies as a purely speculative instrument.

Cryptocurrency-related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended.

Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses (and/or "transaction fees or other related expenses"), and cannot be invested in directly. For more information on indexes, please see ​schwab.com/indexdefinitions

0726-FFWU

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With high-profile IPOs generating investor excitement but also increasing volatility in the stock market, it's a good time to remember that bonds can help smooth volatility in your portfolio. In this episode, host Mike Townsend is joined by Collin Martin, head of fixed income research and strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, for a timely discussion on the state of the bond market. Collin dives into what the latest inflation and jobs numbers are telling us about the economy and how the Federal Reserve is likely to stay cautious rather than rush into more rate moves. He examines how the arrival of new Chair Kevin Warsh at the Fed could change the way the central bank communicates and the implications of that for the markets. And he surveys where opportunities may exist across the fixed income landscape—from ultra-short bond funds to investment-grade corporates, high-yield bonds, preferred securities, and municipal bonds. Mike also shares the latest from Washington, including the latest evidence that the government funding process is breaking down, worrisome news about Social Security, and an under-the-radar confirmation hearing that goes to the heart of the debate about the integrity of economic data.

WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/WashingtonWise.

If you enjoy the show, please leave a ★★★★★ rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

DISCLOSURES

Investors in mutual funds and/or ETFs should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can request a prospectus via  800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

​The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.

All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

All names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.

Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy.

High-yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (junk bonds) are subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risks and may be more volatile than higher-rated securities. High-yield securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments.

Preferred securities are a type of hybrid investment that share characteristics of both stock and bonds. They are often callable, meaning the issuing company may redeem the security at a certain price after a certain date. Such call features, and the timing of a call, may affect the security’s yield. Preferred securities generally have lower credit ratings and a lower claim to assets than the issuer's individual bonds. Like bonds, prices of preferred securities tend to move inversely with interest rates, so their prices may fall during periods of rising interest rates. Investment value will fluctuate, and preferred securities, when sold before maturity, may be worth more or less than original cost. Preferred securities are subject to various other risks including changes in interest rates and credit quality, default risks, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, deferral risk, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors.

International investments involve additional risks, which include differences in financial accounting standards, currency fluctuations, geopolitical risk, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets.

Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data.

Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses (and/or "transaction fees or other related expenses"), and cannot be invested in directly. For more information on indexes, please see ​schwab.com/indexdefinitions

The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

0626-0BEF 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.