Investment Insights

Wayne Wicker, Chief Investment Officer, Vantagepoint Investment Advisers, LLC, and Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo discuss the upcoming earnings season and how the markets are reacting to potential interest-rate changes and recent geopolitical tensions. Open video in new window

The Vantagepoint View

June 30, 2019
A summary of Vantagepoint Investement Adviser's latest 12-month outlook. 

Market Overview

First Quarter Equity Market Overview and Outlook

The first month of 2019 was spectacular for global equities, whether attributable to the dynamic combination of the January-plus-presidential-cycle effect or otherwise, it marked a V-shaped recovery from the abysmal finish to 2018. February and March added to the positive gains, culminating in a 13.7% return for the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 in the first quarter. That was the S&P’s best calendar quarter performance since 2009 and its best start to a year since 1991.

First Quarter Fixed Income Market Overview and Outlook

The U.S. fixed income markets seemed to tell two different stories in the first quarter of 2019. The first story is one of a global slowdown in a geopolitical environment where the headlines have been dominated by the U.S.-China trade war, Brexit, and weakening economic data. The second story revolves around the positive performance of risk assets, especially corporate bonds, following the intense market selloff that closed out 2018.

2019 Market Outlook

As 2019 begins, perspective is warranted. In markets and economies, it is certainly not the best of times, but neither is it the worst of times.

Demystifying Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

A primer on the different flavors of commercial mortgage-backed securities and the roles they play in fixed income funds.

Stable Value in 2018: Using the Full Tool Box to Navigate Rising Rates

Describes key tools for constructing a stable value fund that can weather a rising interest rate environment.

Changes to the VT Vantagepoint Milestone Funds

A look at recent and innovative changes to the VT Vantagepoint Milestone Funds.

2018 Outlook: Tax Reform, Fed Policy, and Technology Keep the Economy on Course and the Stock Market Thriving

Assesses the markets' outlook for 2018 with a recap of the past year's events, activities, and performance.

Emerging Markets: Benefits of an Active Multi-Managed Approach

Outlines Emerging Markets' growing role in the global economy and their potential benefits from a multi-management perspective.

Target-Date Funds: Utilizing a Defined Benefit Approach In a Defined Contribution World

Open-architecture, "through-date" target-date funds find their niche in serving participants' retirement needs.

Choosing the Product for Your Plan's Stable Value Investment Option

Karen Chong-Wulff, CFA, CAIA, Managing Vice President, Fixed Income and Xin Zhou, CFA, FRM, Senior Fund Manager, identify and compare stable value investment products.

Market Volatility and the Investor Disadvantage

Researches the impact of market volatility on investor cash flows and the resulting investor disadvantages across asset classes.

Perspectives on Tactical Asset Allocation in Portfolio Construction

Examines the role tactical asset allocation can play in structuring a portfolio.

Rising Interest Rates and Its Impact on Fixed Income

Explores factors impacting fixed income asset classes and sectors.

The Elusive Predictive Powers of Star Ratings

Whether star ratings can be relied upon to predict fund performance.

Survivorship Bias

Why the impact of attrition should be considered when evaluating mutual funds.