Insight

Targeting a 5% Return in a 3% World

With the federal funds rate dropping, many fixed income investors can expect to see their income begin to decline. But a change in the direction of the policy rate also creates an opportunity to reposition portfolios for increased returns.

Yellow kelp swaying under water.

1/16/2025

15 min read


Topic

Fixed Income

Key takeaways

  • With much of the U.S. yield curve near 4% and the federal funds rate expected to settle around 3%, how can investors continue to earn 5% in a world of 3% interest rates?
  • Using history as a guide, we explore three scenarios—all of which suggest the yield curve will steepen as the overnight rate declines.
  • Strategies that take interest rate risk up to the inflection point, at approximately the two-year maturity point on the yield curve, are likely to maximize return.