New Series I Bond Rates - November 2015 through April 2016

The Bureau of the Public Debt today announced earnings rates for Series I Savings Bonds and Series EE Savings Bonds, issued from November 2, 2015 through April 30, 206.

I bond fixed rates are determined each May 1 and November 1. Each fixed rate applies to all I-bonds issued in the six months following the rate determination.

The Current I Bond Composite Earnings Rate is 1.54% and the Top Rate for older i Bonds is 5.17%!  (See Rates for Older Series I Bonds)

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For more about how I Bond Rates are calculated, see 

• ==> Current Series I Bond Rates
• ==> Composite Rates for Older Series I Bonds
  

Disclaimer: I own Series I Bonds in my personal account (some have base rates of 3.0%!  I also currently have them in my Newsletter Explore Portfolio.

Six Investor Sentiment Charts - Weekly Data

The time to buy stocks is when there is “blood in the streets” when others are fearful and selling. Two months ago, my sentiment charts were screaming BUY. 

I added to many equity positions.

Below is a brief summary of my longer Seeking Alpha article titled:

• 6 Weekly Sentiment Charts - Is The Blood Still Running Deep Enough?

I've explained in past articles such as "SPY 8% Off Record High While WLI Rises To 6-Week High" why I like SPY as an investment for the long-term. I use fundamentals to pick individual stocks and SPY for my portfolio, but I seldom buy as they are making new 52-week highs. I try to buy when they are on sale and when the blood is running in the streets.

About a month ago, some of my sentiment indicators reached lows not seen in a year or longer.

To get better prices, I start with my list of "Explore Portfolio" stock picks then wait for market pullbacks and extreme negative sentiment levels to buy if they haven't quite reached the "low ball" prices I set ahead of time to buy during market panics and other periods of market inefficiency. Said another way, I like to take profits as markets make new highs then buy back shares when my sentiment charts loudly shout at once "Buy" as most investors are afraid and selling.

To see all six of my charts, go here.