Kevin Flanagan

Head of Fixed Income Strategy


As part of WisdomTree’s Investment Strategy group, Kevin serves as Head of Fixed Income Strategy. In this role, he contributes to the asset allocation team, writes fixed income-related content and travels with the sales team, conducting client-facing meetings and providing expertise on WisdomTree’s existing and future bond ETFs. In addition, Kevin works closely with the fixed income team. Prior to joining WisdomTree, Kevin spent 30 years at Morgan Stanley, where he was Managing Director and Chief Fixed Income Strategist for Wealth Management. He was responsible for tactical and strategic recommendations and created asset allocation models for fixed income securities. He was a contributor to the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Global Investment Committee, primary author of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s monthly and weekly fixed income publications, and collaborated with the firm’s Research and Consulting Group Divisions to build ETF and fund manager asset allocation models. Kevin has an MBA from Pace University’s Lubin Graduate School of Business, and a B.S in Finance from Fairfield University.

Following last week’s “hotter” than expected CPI release, the sole focus for the money and bond markets was to, yet again, dial back their Fed rate cut expectations. Ahead of the May FOMC meeting, Kevin Flanagan dives into an aspect of Fed policy decision-making that has been flying under the radar: the balance sheet. 

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The first three months and change of 2024 has brought with it a rather noteworthy shift in bond market sentiment. With Fed policy decision-making remaining data dependent for the foreseeable future, Kevin Flanagan discusses why investors should consider using the time-tested barbell strategy to navigate not only the current setting, but more importantly, what potentially lies ahead. 
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As the inflation marathon enters the homestretch, the last mile might be more difficult. Kevin Flanagan discusses why the journey to the Federal Reserve’s target might not be as smooth as anticipated, and what this could mean for rate cuts and the bond market’s response.
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At today’s FOMC meeting, the Fed did what was widely expected yet again and kept the Fed Funds target unchanged. Against this backdrop, Kevin Flanagan examines the Fed’s balancing act between hopeful markets and the reality of economic indicators and what it means for the future of U.S. Treasuries. 
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With income back in fixed income, uncertainty around the bond markets and a new rate regime in play, one strategy (and two new ETFs) can help you prepare for a range of rate scenarios. Learn more about laddered Treasury solutions—the time-tested approach behind our suite of Treasury ETFs.
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With rate cuts now being the primary focus of the markets, the conversation has revolved around when such a move could occur and what the path would ultimately look like. Against this backdrop, Kevin Flanagan discusses the rate cutting cycle that occurred in 1995/1996 and how it parallels the current market environment. 
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Actionable Ideas

As 2023 draws to a close, what will 2024 have in store for investors? It appears this Fed rate hike cycle is over and now we pivot to potential rate cuts. But not until inflation has sufficiently cooled. As we've seen before, a lot can happen in the meantime.

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Marking to Market: 2024 Outlook

As 2023 draws to a close, what will 2024 have in store for investors? It appears this Fed rate hike cycle is over and now we pivot to potential rate cuts. But not until inflation has sufficiently cooled. As we've seen before, a lot can happen in the meantime.

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The Global Edge: What Will "Higher for Longer" Actually Mean?
Central banks in developed economies are poised for the next phase of monetary policy, raising questions for global investors. A consensus suggests that rates will remain restrictive with no imminent cuts. The question for the year ahead is decoding the implications of "higher for longer," and what that means for investment decisions in this evolving landscape.
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Fixed Income: A Return to Normalcy
The Fed appears to be at, or close to, the end of this rate hike cycle. Nevertheless, the policymakers seem intent on keeping monetary policy restrictive for longer than originally expected.
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Let Uncle Sam Provide You Income Without the Volatility
With higher interest rates and elevated bond market volatility, it is important to understand the dynamics behind the different Treasury securities available in order to make an educated decision for your bond portfolio. Let’s take a quick lesson on the UST market.
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2023 Mid-Year Economic and Market Outlook

The economic and market landscapes continue to evolve, and we expect some significant changes as we make our way through the remainder of 2023. In our Mid-Year Economic and Market Outlook for 2023, we lay out some of the “known unknowns” we believe could significantly affect the investing landscape and dive into our thoughts covering Equities, Fixed income and Real assets and alternatives. 

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The Global Edge: Shaken, Not Stirred—The Impact from the Recent Banking Turmoil
In this edition of The Global Edge, our team of thought leaders explore the question of: how long can investors expect to see the potential ill effects from these developments as we move into the second half of the year?
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Three Strategies for an Evolving Bond Market

Over the last year and a half, fixed income investors have faced a variety of challenges: a once-in-a-generation pandemic with unprecedented lockdown, a surge in inflation and rate hikes at a pace not seen since Chairman Volcker’s tenure. With the U.S. bond market expected to continue evolving, learn about three high-conviction themes for fixed income investors to consider now. 

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The Global Edge: China Re-opens: What It Means for Global Investors
As global investors stand weeks away from the end of 2022, it is interesting to note that some things just don’t change. While the financial markets seem to be endlessly waiting for some type of ‘Powell Pivot’ from the Federal Reserve (Fed), global central banks remain in full-tilt tightening mode. The Bank of Japan is, of course, the notable exception in the developed world.
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The Global Edge: Volatility Remains A Market Constant
As global investors stand weeks away from the end of 2022, it is interesting to note that some things just don’t change. While the financial markets seem to be endlessly waiting for some type of ‘Powell Pivot’ from the Federal Reserve (Fed), global central banks remain in full-tilt tightening mode. The Bank of Japan is, of course, the notable exception in the developed world.
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The Global Edge: Navigating the Uncharted Waters Between Growth and Inflation
With inflation raging across the globe, developed market (DM) central banks have been confronted by a force not seen in decades. Indeed, prior to the once in-a-generation COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed as if the challenge facing central banks was skewed more toward the perplexing lack of demand pressures that was prevalent, a complete 180-degree shift from where we currently stand.
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Where Will This Rate Hike Cycle Take Us?
With much fanfare, the Federal Reserve (Fed) has finally begun its long-awaited rate hike cycle. Unfortunately, now comes the hard part. In other words, how is this process going to play out in terms of not just what the individual rate hikes will look like—25 basis points (bps) or 50 bps?—but also, where the terminal rate for the Fed Funds target range will ultimately climb to, and when? It is important to remember that the Fed will be drawing down its balance sheet at the same time, in what should be referred to as the polar opposite of quantitative easing (QE): quantitative tightening or QT.
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Planning for Potential 2020 Election Results
We are entering the homestretch of the 2020 presidential election season. With two polarizing presidential candidates, an ongoing pandemic, a recession, social unrest and a mail-in ballot controversy, this cycle is truly like no other. With the current environment in mind, we lay out four possible election outcomes, with our thoughts on how the markets may react to each one. Our hope is that advisors and investors can begin to think ahead and plan for different potential scenarios.
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Fed 'March'es into Q2 on Hold
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Fed Watch: The Process for Rate Cuts
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The Global Edge: What Will "Higher for Longer" Actually Mean?
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Is This the End of the Line?
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Pursuing Income As Rates Stay Higher for Longer? Don’t Forget This
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Fed Watch: Can I See the Finish Line?
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Professor Siegel Talks Fed Meeting & Changing His View on Interest Rates
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Seeking income? Two Steps Can Help Reduce Your Risk
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The Global Edge: Shaken, Not Stirred: The Impact of the Recent Banking Turmoil
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Fixed Income Masterclass Highlight
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De-Risk Your High Yield Allocation
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Is the Fed Fighting Yesterday's Battles?
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Navigate Market Headlines with Professor Siegel
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The Global Edge: How Will China's Covid Re-opening Impact Global Markets?
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Is the Fed Embarking on an Irreversible Policy Mistake?
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The Global Edge: Volatility Quotient Takes Center Stage
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Income is Back
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Cboe’s 3 Questions in 3 Minutes: WFHY
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Powell Goes Full Steam Ahead
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Inflation vs. Recession: Global Central Banks Walk the Tight Rope
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Nifty Fifty: The Fed Hikes Again
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WisdomTree Barbell Strategy
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Staying Focused Amid the Ukraine Crisis
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"3 Questions in 3 Minutes" on WisdomTree Alternative Income Fund
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A Fixed Income Opportunity for the Current Market
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Kevin Flanagan on Enhancing Yield with a Barbell Approach
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WisdomTree's Head of Fixed Income Strategy Talks AGGY and USFR Barbell Approach on NYSE's What's the Fund
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