Preferred shares represent a hybrid form of ownership. They're classified as equities for accounting and capital structure purposes. However, this asset's cash flows resemble debt. Holders receive fixed or floating dividends that must be paid before common shareholders see a cent, giving these securities a senior position in the payout hierarchy.
Many investors regard bonds as the frumpier cousins to stocks. Their prices rarely pop or plummet. They usually deliver a lower return, and-aside from a glamorous cameo in the 1980s thriller Die Hard-they are not part of popular culture in the same way as, say, GameStop or Tesla shares. They are, though, a critical part of any well-managed portfolio, and with the stock market looking particularly frothy, this may be more true than ever.
Sometime in the early 1970s, a young Rick Rieder sat in his elementary school cafeteria, not eating. Instead, he stared at his lunch money-a quarter-and weighed the probability of an Oakland Raiders victory. He would obsess over microdata, like how the football team played on turf versus grass, searching for a marginal edge that would turn his 25 cents into 50. Then, he'd bet. When he lost, he went hungry, he told podcaster and author William Green.
Global financial markets closed today with a historic rally, as the S&P 500 recorded its largest single-day gain since 2008. The surge followed the announcement by the U.S. President of a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs for countries that have not taken retaliatory measures. According to financial and geopolitical analyst John Batista Bocchino, this decision represents "a tactical relief for markets," but does not resolve the deeper structural tensions shaping global trade.
U.S. markets closed the week higher, overcoming volatility from renewed U.S.-China trade tensions and rising oil prices following new U.S. sanctions on Russia's two largest oil firms. The small-cap Russell 2000 and mid-cap S&P 400 indexes outperformed major benchmarks, while within the S&P 500, technology and energy stocks led the gains. Defensive sectors such as utilities and consumer staples underperformed.
Municipal bonds have made their opening move. After months of being labeled "cheap," the tax-exempt market responded with a rally across the full curve. Yields dropped, ratios tightened, and early investors saw results. But if you missed the first wave, don't worry. There's still opportunity ahead, especially for those focused on what's next. Munis may not grab headlines, but their quiet consistency and tax advantages could make them a smart choice for investors seeking stability and income, especially in today's market.
