Indian government bonds have been added to the JPMorgan GBI Emerging Market Global Series Index for the first time, reflecting a milestone for Indian markets. The move follows the RBI's 2020 decision to remove foreign investment restrictions on specific rupee debt.

Starting June 28, 27 Indian G-secs are now open to non-resident investors under the Fully Accessible Route, boosting their market presence. These bonds, with the longest duration in the index and a yield of 7%, present a significant opportunity for global investors. 

This inclusion is expected to raise foreign ownership of Indian government debt from 2% to 4.4% and may lead to further additions in other global indices.

Finsum: Investors might start flocking to EM as rates fall in the west. 

Homes in some pandemic boom towns are significantly overvalued, with Reventure CEO Nick Gerli predicting a steep decline in the Southern real estate market. Gerli estimates that home prices in the South could drop by 20% over the next few years due to a surge in new housing inventory and waning demand. 

Florida and Texas, in particular, are seeing significant price declines, with seven of the 10 cities experiencing the largest number of price drops. The region's housing market bears similarities to previous bubbles, with home prices having surged 50%-70% since the pandemic, while incomes have only risen 10%-20%. 

This imbalance could lead to a substantial correction, especially if the economy enters a recession or unemployment rates rise. Despite the current affordability crisis, Gerli believes that patient homebuyers could find good opportunities in the coming years as the market adjusts.

Finsum: It’s important to monitor these changes in housing, but keep in mind SFR poses a completely different problem set and these areas could still flourish.

Leading the industry, WisdomTree, Inc. launched its Portfolio Solutions program to better support RIAs and wealth management firms. This program aims to help advisory firms customize client portfolios and embrace model portfolios, offering significant time efficiencies.

The platform offers a range of services, including examining current model portfolios, stress-testing assets, and providing CIO-managed model portfolios. Additionally, advisors can collaborate with WisdomTree’s team for trading, rebalancing, and tax optimization tasks.

The program helps advisors allocate more time to client-facing activities and improve their overall service. WisdomTree has also expanded its Portfolio Solutions team with the strategic hire of Samuel Rines, a Macro Strategist, to provide geopolitically risk-aware portfolios.

Finsum: These technologies allow advisors to deepen their relationships with clients by freeing up time and understanding interests.

As market volatility persists, major equity indexes hit new highs, prompting investors to shift from AI and technology stocks to small-caps. The Dow Jones rose 700 points on July 16, achieving a record high, while the S&P 500 followed suit, driven by interest rate cut hopes. 

Natixis Investment Managers advises using selective, active strategies and high-conviction portfolio construction to navigate market peaks. They recommend not waiting for stock declines, as equity markets historically increase 70% of the time. 

For an offensive strategy, focus on growth-oriented, small, and midcap stocks. Active management and model portfolios can help manage risks and optimize tax implications.

Finsum: Prepping your portfolio for the fall election is more crucial than ever. 

Investing in bonds has gained popularity, facilitated by platforms like Webull and Public. Bonds come in three main types: U.S. Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds, each with distinct tax implications. 

U.S. Treasury bonds are state and local tax-exempt, corporate bonds are fully taxable, and municipal bonds often enjoy federal and state/local tax exemptions. Credit quality is vital, with investment-grade bonds rated BBB- or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moody’s. 

Comparing after-tax and taxable-equivalent yields helps investors decide the best options based on their tax brackets. Additionally, understanding the yield to maturity and coupon rates of bonds, such as those from can aid in making informed investment decisions

Finsum: Alternatively, ETFs and other products can make a wider exposure to bonds a little easier.

As more Americans retire without pensions, individual annuities are becoming crucial for financial security. Registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) have gained popularity, especially during the pandemic due to their downside protection and upside potential. 

In 2023, RILA sales reached $47 billion, a 15% increase from 2022, marking nine consecutive years of growth. This trend is expected to continue, with forecasts predicting sales of $52 billion in 2024 and $57 billion in 2025. 

RILAs, primarily sold through independent broker-dealers, are now outpacing traditional variable annuities in sales. The market, driven by innovation and new entrants, is poised for sustained growth.

Finsum: Independent broker dealers leading the pack is interesting and something to monitor during the annuity boom. 

BlackRock has introduced a 'buffer' ETF, the iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (ticker: MAXJ), designed to offer a 100% downside hedge for cautious investors. This ETF tracks the S&P 500 using options with an upside cap, aiming to protect against losses for about a year.

 Buffer ETFs are beneficial as they help maximize returns while providing downside protection during volatile market periods. 

They are especially attractive to investors wary of market volatility and economic uncertainties, such as inflation and potential interest rate hikes. BlackRock's extensive reach and marketing capabilities could help it catch up with competitors in this space.

Finsum: BlackRock’s pioneering in quantitative strategies puts them in a good position to maximize the abilities of buffer ETFs

Cboe Global Markets has listed five spot Ethereum ETFs set to begin trading in the US on July 23, 2024. Following the SEC's approval of Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year, market participants are eager for the new Ethereum ETFs.

 With Ethereum's market cap second only to Bitcoin, issuers such as Fidelity, iShares, Bitwise, VanEck, 21Shares, Invesco Galaxy, Franklin Templeton, and Grayscale have already listed Bitcoin ETFs and are now expanding to Ethereum. 

This move marks a significant milestone for institutional and retail crypto investments, reflecting growing global interest in cryptocurrency ETFs.

Finsum: Cryptos will be powered by its ability to enter more mainstream financial products over the coming decade. 

Middle-market collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are gaining traction, driven by increased direct lending and investor interest, and are poised to surpass broadly syndicated CLOs. In 2023, middle-market CLO issuance reached $27.1 billion, capturing a record 23.4% of the US market.

A study by S&P Global Market Intelligence and Creditflux explores how CLO managers are adapting to this growth and managing risks, highlighting challenges like limited financial disclosures. 

S&P Global Ratings predicts that default rates on leveraged loans could rise from 1.9% in October 2023 to 3% by September 2024, underscoring the need for effective risk management. The research also examines how managers are incorporating ESG factors to meet regulatory and investor expectations.

Finsum: CLOs seem like a natural place for ESG factors to gain traction. 

Vanguard, managing over $9 trillion in assets, favors high-rated corporate debt over riskier high-yield bonds to guard against potential economic downturns caused by high borrowing costs. 

Despite expectations of the Federal Reserve cutting rates by September due to cooling inflation and labor market weakness, Vanguard predicts rates will hold steady this year. 

High demand for investment-grade bonds has compressed credit spreads, but Vanguard's defensive strategy, along with its active fixed income management, is poised to perform well if the economy weakens, allowing for credit additions at more attractive prices.

Finsum: Active managers will be eyeing fall fed decisions closely as they have a huge impact on bonds.