Summary

• U.S. investment-grade bonds declined slightly in the first quarter, breaking their four-quarter string of gains.
• Last year's government shutdown weighed on fourth-quarter gross domestic product, which expanded at an annual pace of only 0.5%.
• The Fed's dual focus on inflation, which remained above target, and the labor market, which stabilized, resulted in rates staying unchanged in the quarter.

Market Review

Bonds were down fractionally. U.S. investment-grade bonds declined slightly in the first quarter, breaking their four-quarter string of gains. The volatile period included renewed tariff concerns, a Federal Reserve (Fed) policy pause, mixed economic data, war in Iran and soaring oil

45 Followers