Basis Points

Hosted by Basis Points by WisdomTree Asset Management

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Episodes

320

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Macro commentary and expert-led discussions highlight what’s happening now in fixed income investing, so you can prepare for what’s next. Investing involves risks including loss of principal. This material represents the opinions of the participants at a specific time and is not intended to forecast future events or guarantee future results and should not be relied upon as investment advice. Kevin Flanagan is a registered rep of Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

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60 recent

August 12, 20267 min

What’s Driving Treasury Yields Higher?

AI-related debt issuance has surpassed $500 billion in 2026 alone, adding to supply pressures in bond markets already contending with a nearly $2.0 trillion U.S. budget deficit. This week, Maggie Lucier joins Kevin Flanagan to discuss what is keeping Treasury yields elevated, the impact of Fed uncertainty and why Kevin favors a zero-duration approach to managing interest rate risk. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Agg: Refers to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. “Double A issuer”: Refers to an issuer with an “AA” credit rating from a major credit rating agency Learn more. Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes.

August 5, 20263 min

Is the Bond Market Putting Warsh in a Corner?

Long-term Treasury yields have surged following the July FOMC meeting, as limited forward guidance raised questions about the Fed’s policy reaction function. On this week’s episode of Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan examines whether persistent inflation and resilient labor data could leave Chair Warsh boxed into a rate hike and what heightened duration and volatility risks mean for bond investors. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more . Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes.

July 30, 20263 min

Fed Watch: Is It a Matter of When, Not If?

The Fed kept rates unchanged at the July FOMC meeting, but markets are increasingly focused on the prospect of future hikes. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why the next move may be a matter of when, not if, and what investors should watch in the months ahead. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more . Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes.

July 22, 20266 min

A New ‘Warsh’ Cycle

The Fed may be entering a new era, and investors expecting easy rate cuts could be in for a surprise. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Maggie Lucier, Senior Associate, Investment Strategy. Together, they discuss why Kevin Warsh's policy approach could mean higher-for-longer rates, greater bond market volatility, and a fresh playbook for fixed income investing. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Handle: A market term referring to the whole-number portion of a yield or price. Agg: Refers to the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index Learn more . Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes.

July 8, 20264 min

Closing the Curtain on Rate Cuts

The June jobs report all but shut the door on expectations for Fed rate cuts this year. On this week’s episode of Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan explains why the focus has shifted to a Fed on hold, and what that means for fixed income investors embracing a barbell strategy. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/us/insights/podcasts/basis-points-podcasts Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/us/insights/glossary

June 24, 20264 min

A ‘Warsh’ Out at the Fed

The June FOMC meeting may be remembered less for holding rates steady and more for Kevin Warsh’s overhaul of how the Fed communicates policy. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan discusses what a Warsh-led Fed could mean for forward guidance, balance sheet policy and the future path of rates. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/us/insights/podcasts/basis-points-podcasts Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/us/insights/glossary

June 18, 20264 min

Fed Watch: The Changing of the Guard Finally Arrives

The Fed remained on hold at yesterday's FOMC meeting, but the policy backdrop is becoming more complicated. This week on Basis Points, Kevin Flanagan analyzes how rising price pressures, improving hiring trends and a new Fed Chair are reshaping expectations for the path of interest rates. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/us/insights/podcasts/basis-points-podcasts Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/us/insights/glossary

June 11, 202611 min

Private Credit Beyond the Headlines: Why Diversification and Liquidity Matter More Than Ever

Private credit is often discussed as a single asset class, but the opportunity set extends far beyond direct lending. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan is joined by Chris Acito, CEO of Gapstow Capital Partners, to explore why diversification across multiple credit sectors and a clear understanding of liquidity can help investors build more resilient income-focused portfolios. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. BDC = Business Development Company GSC = Government-sponsored enterprises “Glacy” refers to the Gapstow Private Credit and Alternative Income Index Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-podcasts#Listen%20now Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/glossary

June 3, 20265 min

Are Bessent’s Hands Tied?

The 10-year Treasury yield has repeatedly snapped back into a 4.0%–4.5% range despite bouts of market volatility. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan analyzes why speculation around Treasury Secretary Bessent capping long-term yields may be overstated, and why employment, inflation, and Treasury supply remain the real drivers.

May 20, 20264 min

‘Warsh’ and Dry

Inflation fears are back, with Treasury yields climbing sharply and markets now pricing in a potential Fed rate hike by 2027. This week on the Basis Points podcast, Kevin Flanagan explains why the “inflation trade” has taken hold and makes the case for Treasury Floating Rate Notes as a key defense in today’s bond market. Basis point: 1/100th of 1 percent. Learn more: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/multimedia/basis-points-podcasts#Listen%20now Please see the WisdomTree Glossary for additional definitions of terms and/or indexes: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/glossary