Here’s How A Dedicated Cord-Cutter Views AT&T’s New ‘DirecTV Now’ Service

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Tipswatch

 Summary

  • The grandfathered promotional price of $35 for 100+ channels makes DirecTV Now very attractive to cord cutters.
  • And then you get a free 4th generation AppleTV? Isn’t this a no brainer?
  • With this aggressive pricing and expansive service, AT&T has fired a shot across the bow of its TV and cellular competitors.

Yup, this is way off-topic for me, but I’ve been using this innovative new streaming service for a week now and I’ve posted my analysis at SeekingAlpha.com, if you are interested. DirecTV Now includes CNBC, CNBC World, Bloomberg TV and Fox Business – along with a slew of news, sports and entertainment – at a very reasonable opening price.

Read the full article at SeekingAlpha.com

Posted in Investing in TIPS | Leave a comment

After A Month Of Bond-Market Turmoil, Here’s Where Inflation-Protected Investments Stand

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Tipswatch

Summary

  • TIPS have held up relatively well because of a rise in the inflation-breakeven rate.
  • We haven’t entered uncharted waters — today’s TIPS yields are in line with recent numbers.
  • Bear market for TIPS? Not yet, and doesn’t seem likely.

I’m predicting that TIPS will be an attractive investment heading into 2017.

Read my full analysis on SeekingAlpha.com

Posted in Investing in TIPS | 1 Comment

10-Year TIPS Reopening Auctions With A Real Yield Of 0.369%

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Tipswatch

Summary

  • The real yield was about 37 basis points higher than the early October trend.
  • The inflation-breakeven rate of 1.90% was the highest since May 2015.
  • TIPS are drawing attention as fears of future inflation rise.

Today’s reopening auction of CUSIP 912828S50 – creating a 9-year, 8-month Treasury Inflation-Protected Security – resulted in a real yield of 0.369%. Here’s is the Treasury’s auction summary.

Read my full analysis at SeekingAlpha.com

Posted in Investing in TIPS | Leave a comment

U.S. Inflation Rose 0.4% In October; Does That Lock In A Fed Rate Increase In December?

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Tipswatch

Summary

  • While 0.4% looks high, core inflation remained in the moderate zone, just above 2.0% over the last 12 months.
  • Energy costs, along with shelter costs, accounted for most of the October increase.
  • There is nothing in today’s report that should cause the Federal Reserve to delay an interest rate increase in December.

Read my full analysis at SeekingAlpha.com

Also, I have updated my Inflation and I Bonds page with these new numbers.

And here are the new TIPS inflation indexes for December.

Posted in Investing in TIPS | Leave a comment

TIPS Yields Are On The Rise; Is That Enough To Make Thursday’s 10-Year TIPS Reopening Attractive?

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Tipswatch

Summary

  • The after-inflation yields on TIPS have been rising sharply over the last month.
  • But TIPS are out-performing the overall bond market, with yields rising at a slower pace.
  • A rise in the 10-year inflation-breakeven rate indicates that investors are pricing in higher inflation, and also that TIPS are getting more expensive versus nominal Treasurys.

The after-inflation yield on a 10-year TIPS is rising again today and is up more than 30 basis points since October 1. Will that be enough to make Thursday’s 10-year TIPS reopening attractive?

Read my full analysis on SeekingAlpha.com

Posted in Investing in TIPS | Leave a comment