Regarding interest rate trends, there are all kinds of contradictory signals. The case for rates moving up is obvious, firstly a rapidly improving economy puts pressure on potential inflation and an overheated real estate market (did I say that?). Also, the enormous government expenditures and a falling U.S. dollar coupled with exploding gold prices seem to support this case.
On the other hand, the demographics put baby boomers in their savings years. The money stored in money market funds and other short term interest vehicles considered nearly as good as cash is staggering. Strangely enough, I just read that since 2007 the cash build-up has not necessarily reflected the stock market levels as it normally tends to do. Also, in the U.S. the savings rate has changed from minus 3% to plus 7%, i.e. a lot less consumerism and that is a sign of declining spending and a languishing economy. Furthermore, companies are deleveraging at an incredible rate. Rather than lending money, dividends have been cut, e.g. Manulife, Algonquin Power or they have not been increased as normally (Canadian Banks). Also, numerous companies have raised equity in the stock market in spite of relatively low stock market prices. All this has lowered loan demand and so interest may stay lower a lot longer than most expect.
Personally, I enjoy the low rates as long as I can. I suggest you keep on stress testing your investments for various interest rates as advocated by Thomas Beyer.
