The iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF, which tracks the U.S. investment-grade bond market, was down 0.3%, according to FactSet data, at last check. Among Treasury bond funds, the Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF was falling 0.5%, while the iShares 3-7 Year Treasury bond, which targets intermediate-term U.S. Treasury bonds, was down 0.2%.

The SP 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved record closing highs on Friday, driven primarily by surging financial stocks. Major banks and asset managers reported strong quarterly earnings,

Patient investors can enjoy receiving dividends while waiting for top-line growth to accelerate. In a positive sign, the board of directors raised the quarterly payment by 7% earlier this year. Impressively, that makes 52 straight years with an increase, making the stock a Dividend King.

The S&P 500 has performed admirably in 2024, up nearly 22%. With a little less than three months left in the year, it has a decent shot of matching 2023’s 24.2% return and only the sixth time in the 21st century that the index has generated an annual return between 20% and 30%.