September’s Invested takes us from the bond market to our backyards. We revisit CIO Scott Smith’s take on Fed independence as rising borrowing costs put central banks back in the spotlight. We also ask whether a single letter can really describe the U.S. economy and hear why the Fed’s next moves could get messy.
Closer to home, we explore what it would take to turn Canada’s economic potential into projects, why being indispensable can cost a founder at sale time, and how nature can help build healthier, more resilient communities.
VIEWPOINT ARCHIVES
LOOKING BACK AT INSIGHTS FROM THE VIEWPOINT TEAM
THE EROSION OF FED INDEPENDENCE AND ITS INFLATIONARY CONSEQUENCES
A year ago, CIO Scott Smith examined how political pressure on the Federal Reserve could affect inflation, long-term bond yields, and the U.S. dollar. With the bond market and the Fed’s policy choices back in focus, his piece offers a timely lens for revisiting a question that remains central to investors.
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INSIGHTS FROM THE VIEWPOINT FOUNDATION
EXPLORING PHILANTHROPIC TRENDS & IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES
WHY NATURE IS ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN FLOURISHING PART THREE: NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Nature offers more than a pleasant escape as research links time outdoors with better mental health, and natural spaces can make cities more resilient. From tree-lined streets to beaver-restored wetlands that reduce flooding, natural systems serve many purposes at once. The latest article from the Viewpoint Foundation argues that equitable access to beautiful, biodiverse places should be treated as essential public health infrastructure.
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SEPTEMBER'S INVESTMENT PULSE
WHAT TODAY'S MODERN MARKET TRENDS REVEAL ABOUT INVESTOR THINKING
GOVERNMENT BORROWING COSTS RISE ANEW, ADDING TO PRESSURE ON GLOBAL POLICYMAKERS
Reuters looks at how global bond markets are under pressure as inflation fears, rising energy prices, and mounting debt push yields sharply higher. Japan’s 10-year yield hit 3% for the first time since 1996, while borrowing costs climbed across other major economies. With central banks facing renewed pressure to raise rates, investors may be witnessing a significant shift in the global fixed-income landscape.
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HAS THE ECONOMY GONE C-SHAPED?
Is the U.S. economy K-shaped, with the rich pulling ahead, or C-shaped, with lower-income workers catching up? NPR explores the alphabet soup of economic labels and finds a far more complicated picture. While wage inequality may be narrowing, wealth disparities remain significant. The key takeaway is that catchy letters make good headlines, but rarely capture the full story of an evolving economy.
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PODCAST PICK
UNLOCKING INSIGHTS, ONE EPISODE AT A TIME
ADAM POSEN THINKS THINGS COULD GET VERY 'MESSY' FOR THE FED
What’s next for the Fed under Kevin Warsh? In this episode of Odd Lots, Economist Adam Posen weighs in on Warsh’s hawkish Jackson Hole speech, the risk of waiting too long to tackle inflation, and threats to central bank independence. The conversation also explores Treasury intervention in bond markets, the Fed’s evolving approach to policymaking, and how AI could reshape productivity, employment, and the broader economy.
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MORE TO EXPLORE
CURATED READS FOR THE INQUISITIVE
EIGHT WAYS CANADA CAN TURBOCHARGE GROWTH
At the Canada Investment Summit, leaders made the case for turning the country’s resources, talent, and stability into faster economic growth. This article from Be Giant highlights new tax incentives, major commitments from banks and pension funds, quicker project approvals, and opportunities in mining, technology, energy, and defence. Its central challenge is translating investor interest and ambitious announcements into projects that actually get built.
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THE FOUNDER DISCOUNT: WHY BEING INDISPENSABLE CAN COST YOU MILLIONS
A founder’s dedication can build a thriving company, but it can also lower its sale value when buyers worry about customer relationships, key decisions, and institutional knowledge depending on one person. This “Founder Discount” can mean a lower offer or more contingent payments. The authors from Canadian Family Offices argue that sharing leadership, documenting processes, and broadening relationships well before a sale helps protect value.