In the first Big Picture topic this week, “Lower for Longer”, Jim notes that bond yields have reached levels we’ve never seen before. The US has now issued bonds at the lowest rates in United States history. The German government has finally issued bonds with negative interest rates. Jim and John discuss why rates have gotten so low, who is buying these bonds, and where are rates likely to go looking ahead. The next Big Picture topic is “Rev Up the Engines: Helicopters are Coming”. The Federal Reserve and politicians have been hinting about “Helicopter Drops” if the economy falters. That would entail printing money and send it out for consumers to spend. Jim discusses some of the implications and consequences of helicopter money.
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