HY Bonds and Senior Secured Loans outperformed the Barclays Agg as retail inflows supported the leveraged credit markets on the back of strong monthly returns for U.S. equities.

Despite a moderate decline in oil prices, July was another positive month across the energy sector. Midstream equities were the top performers for the month, with MLPs in particular rallying. A revised regulatory ruling from FERC contributed to a positive backdrop for the midstream sector.

Several of the drivers behind the long-running bull market and economic recovery are evolving.

See why revenue growth forecasts for the rest of 2018 show a pronounced decline despite a strong projection for Q2.

See how recent market volatility compares to its long-term average and what could drive it higher.

Where will investors find income? Seven Fed rate hikes since 2015 have had only a small impact on yields.

High-duration fixed income, such as the Barclays Agg, performed well in August due to falling 10-year U.S. Treasury yields. Strong corporate earnings and U.S. economic data provided tailwinds for HY Bonds and Senior Secured Loans.

Upstream and integrated oil companies struggled in August while midstream performance was mixed. MLPs continued their strong run as sentiment has turned more positive. Positive fundamentals drove solid Q2 earnings for many midstream companies.

See how both sluggish economic growth and very low interest rates abroad are impacting U.S. rates.

See how spreads on corporate bonds have fared over the last 20 years, and why that might point to a prolonged search for income.