The Fed remains active, raising interest rates again in March following the December hike. As investors look to align the Fed’s rather dovish comments with a humming economy, it appears that, provided the Fed follows its expected path of three total interest rate hikes in 2017, investors are willing to accept higher rates. Equity market investors have experienced low volatility thus far in 2017, although market leadership has shifted somewhat. This shift perhaps reflects an acknowledgment that a foundation of strengthening global economic conditions deserves greater attention than U.S. fiscal stimulus.

Many U.S. based investors largely invest in domestic companies and institutions, whether through equity investments in U.S. companies, the purchase of debt issued by those same companies, or debt issued by state and federal governments. However, ignoring the myriad opportunities available outside the United States can potentially hinder performance in the long term.