Karen Veraa

Karen Veraa, Head of iShares US Fixed Income Strategy at BlackRock, dives into the intricacies of managing bond duration in a fluctuating interest rate environment. She discusses the challenges posed by rising and potentially falling rates and examines how these affect bond performance. Veraa shares strategies for investors, including the benefits of bond ladders and rethinking cash positions. Additionally, she explores the impact of Federal Reserve rate hikes and the advantages of locking in long-duration bonds as a response to market volatility.

In this conversation, Karen Veraa, Head of iShares US Fixed Income Strategy at BlackRock, shares her insights on managing bond duration amid fluctuating interest rates. She discusses the delicate balance investors must strike between yield and interest rate vulnerability. The conversation highlights the historical context of bond markets, including the unusual decline of both stocks and bonds in 2022, and provides strategies for navigating today's landscape. Karen emphasizes the advantages of intermediate duration bonds as market conditions evolve.

Karen Veraa, Head of iShares US Fixed Income Strategy at BlackRock, shares insights on navigating the unpredictable bond market. She discusses the benefits of building a bond ladder, which helps secure income and mitigate interest rate risks. The conversation highlights how to use ETFs for diversification and professional management in bond investing. Veraa also explores aligning bond ladders with retirement plans and offers strategies for constructing them using various asset classes to optimize returns.