Inflation

Even if there was some hesitation in the past few sessions to accept lower municipal yields given rich valuations, municipals continue grinding lower. One- and two-year AAA yields hit record lows of 0.06% and 0.08%, respectively.

Why has inflation remained low and how will the economic recovery impact it? Several experts offer their views as to whether inflation is or will be a problem.

No rate hikes in sight as employment continues to struggle and inflation should rise this year, but not enough to force the Fed to raise rates.

Robin Marshall, director of fixed income research at FTSE Russell, talks about what investors should be paying attention to during the coming year. He looks at inflation prospects, possible Central Bank actions and the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chip Barnett hosts. (15 minutes)

Friday’s data showed economic weakness. Consumers, the drivers of the economy, pulled back during the holiday season and have exhibited weakening sentiment.

KC Mathews, executive vice president & chief investment officer at UMB Bank, discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the economy and what he expects going forward. He speaks about what the incoming Biden administration and the Democrats' control of Congress will mean for the economy; and the Federal Reserve's stance and role in recovery. Gary Siegel hosts. (Recorded Jan. 7; 28 minutes)

A new period of social liberalization and economic excess could emerge by 2022, leading to inflation and a return to higher interest rates.

With its revised framework, it will take more than rising inflation for the Federal Reserve to raise rates.

The Federal Reserve's Summary of Economic Projections forecasts inflation won't hit its 2% target next year, and others agree.

The Federal Open Market Committee meeting this week will not offer the chance of rate changes, but will bring a new dot plot, and economists are most interested in the GDP projections.