Deciding whether or not you should refinance is contingent upon the rate that is available to you. Obtaining a lower interest rate is one of the best reasons to refinance a loan whether it be your house, car, boat, business, etc. Refinancing when interest rates are low can shorten the term of your loan and cost you significantly less in interest payments. Lower interest rates also give you a chance to convert a variable or adjustable rate loan to a fixed rate. Low rates may even be a reason to consolidate expensive debt (debt with higher interest rates). These are all great conversations to have with your financial professional.

The first component of investment quality is a measure of the quality of investments held in a particular portfolio. This component measures the characteristics of the companies represented in the holdings.  Are the companies financially strong, operating in stable markets? Are they poor performing with questionable leadership?  Somewhere in between?