Low Interest Rates and Investor Risk Tolerance
In the current environment of ultra-low interest rates, which are often negative real rates after accounting for the impact of inflation, income-seeking investors are often faced with a decision regarding whether to accept increased volatility and risk in order to pursue higher yields. These yields can come from real estate investment trusts (REITs), dividend-paying stocks, “junk” bonds, and many other types of assets. As this article notes, “investors with low-interest fatigue have been searching for short-term alternatives, and many are turning to riskier choices in their quest for higher returns.” Adding higher-yielding assets to a portfolio may be an appropriate decision for some investors, but this adjustment needs to be made within the context of appropriate risk tolerance parameters based on individual circumstances.
Read more on this subject here
- Anthony Winkels is Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor at Fortis Wealth Management