After a historic campaign, Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election and Republicans have won control of the Senate. For half the country, this is a cause for celebration, while for the other half, this is a disappointing result that will require time to process. This reflects the divisions in our country on both social and economic matters that we hope will heal in time.

An important yet counterintuitive issue for investors is that long-term interest rates have risen in recent weeks despite the Fed’s latest cuts. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, for instance, has jumped from a low of 3.62% to as high as 4.38%. This is due to strong economic data and inflation expectations around the election, both of which push longer-term rates higher. At the same time, rates have swung in either direction for much of the past few years, often without notice. Looking ahead, how might uncertainty around interest rates impact investors?

With just days to go until the presidential election on November 5, polls suggest it will be a close race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Both candidates are campaigning hard in swing states, and investors may be worried about how either outcome might affect their portfolios.

Given the intense political divisions in recent years, it’s not surprising that emotions surrounding this election are running hot. In this environment, it’s important for investors to prevent politics from derailing their long-term financial plans.

For those in or approaching retirement age, there is nothing more important than building a portfolio that can support a long, fulfilling retirement. Given the difficult inflationary conditions of the past few years, the risk that worries most retirees continues to be outliving their savings.

Until recently, the market and economic environment presented classic challenges to retirement planning, including high inflation rates and volatile financial markets. While stocks have rebounded to new all-time highs, and bond yields remain above historical averages, retirees may still be concerned about whether their portfolios will keep pace.

Although markets have performed well this year, some investors may be nervous about upcoming events such as the presidential election, the Fed’s next rate decision, and the state of the economy. Along with the uncertainty of the past few years, it’s no wonder that gold prices have also risen to record levels above $2,600 per ounce.