Portfolio Update: Corporate Bankruptcies Reach Financial-Crisis Levels

Corporate bankruptcies are running at their highest rate since 2010, the year after the Great Recession. As defaults rise, investors will likely become more cautious about taking credit risk and it should become easier to find attractive values in lower-quality bonds.
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Several big chain stores warn U.S. consumers are pulling back (from CNN Business on June 1)…

Macy’s, Costco and other big chains say shoppers are pulling back at their stores and changing what they buy. That could be a red flag for the US economy. Macy’s (M) on Thursday cut its annual profit and sales forecast after customer demand slowed. “The US consumer, particularly at Macy’s, pulled back more than we
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