Saturday,
May 18, 2024

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Top Story

The week in review

•   April’s CPI report showed overall prices increased 0.3% from March, less than expected, and 3.4% annually. Core inflation also increased 0.3% from March, but fell to 3.6% annually, its lowest reading since April 2021. Following the report, the U.S. 10-year yield slid below 4.4%.

•   In a speech, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that inflation is falling slower than expected and the central bank will keep rates at their current level until more progress is made.

•   Building permits fell 3% in April, reaching their lowest level since December 2022. Meanwhile, housing starts bounced 5.7% from their more than 3.5-year low made in March.

For more economic news, visit On the Money — SoFi’s one-stop-shop for news, trends, and tips!

Investing in Treasuries to diversify your investments

Nobody has a crystal ball at home, showing them when and where the market will move. That’s why portfolio diversification is so important.

There are several different strategies when it comes to diversification and many asset classes to choose from.

Fixed-income strategies

Bonds, or fixed income assets, can help diversify your portfolio, especially if you stuck to the stock market when you built it. Bonds earn a fixed income in the form of interest, and some, such as government securities, may be less volatile than certain stocks. This is how diversifying can help offset some of the risk that comes with stock investing.

The Treasury Department issues different types of debt: Treasury bills, notes, bonds, and inflation-protected securities (TIPS).

Treasury bonds are long-term loans made to the government that generally offer the highest interest rate for investors. Treasury notes are similar but have a maturity of 10 years or less.

T-bills are shorter-term debt obligations that mature in a year or less, and TIPS are bonds that are indexed to inflation.


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This week’s top stories

Streaming bundles are back, and better than ever

Media companies are teaming up and offering better streaming bundles in an effort to attract new subscribers and curb cancellations.

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Freddie Mac wants to create a government-backed market for second mortgages

This proposal could be a massive stimulus for the economy, but it’s not without potential drawbacks.

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Meet the newest economic barometer: meme stocks

Shares of so-called meme stocks like GameStop and AMC have surged over the past week. What does their surprising performance say about the broader economy?

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Deep dives from SoFi Learn

15 ways to cut costs this summer

Saving money starts with cutting back on spending. Consider putting some of these purchases on hold to build your stash.

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Do you have enough saved in your emergency fund?

For some, a surprise $1,000 bill can break a budget. Use this Emergency Fund Calculator to determine how much you should have saved to secure your assets.

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APR versus interest rate: What’s the difference?

Annual percentage rate, or APR, is a broader measure of the cost of borrowing money. Here’s what to know when searching for a personal loan.

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