Rising CPI-W inflation of 3.4% and a projected 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027 are quietly reshaping the long end of the bond market, as investors weigh stickier prices, larger government outlays, and the path of Fed policy. That mix can change how money flows into U.S. long-duration fixed-income and Treasury-focused asset managers. This article walks through three stocks from our screener that appear especially exposed to this story.

The three stocks below are a starting sample from this theme, while the full screen surfaced 34 more U.S. long-duration fixed-income and Treasury-focused asset managers with equally compelling narratives that are not covered here. To see the wider opportunity set, head straight into the U.S. Long-Duration Fixed-Income and Treasury-Focused Asset Managers screener to identify, filter, and analyze the highest-conviction ideas.

WisdomTree (WT)

WisdomTree is a New York based ETF sponsor and asset manager that fits neatly into this long duration fixed income and Treasury focused theme, with product lines that span equities, currencies, fixed income and alternatives plus money market style offerings used in 401(k) plans and cash management. All of its reported business revenue, about $609.7 million, comes from its ETP sponsor and asset management segment, giving investors clear exposure to the economics of ETF and index based investing. The company has a market cap of roughly $3.7b, putting it firmly in mid cap territory.

Investors looking at the long end of the bond market may find WisdomTree interesting because it sits at the intersection of ETFs, fixed income and digital cash management at a time when higher yields and rising Social Security payouts are keeping attention on income products. The company is leaning into themes like tokenized Treasury and income funds, private assets and model portfolios, while still earning most of its money from the core ETF and index licensing engine. That mix comes with real trade offs, including fee pressure across the asset management industry, funding and balance sheet risks, and regulatory uncertainty around digital products. The full story is how WisdomTree tries to convert those cross currents into durable fee revenue and what that might mean for investors who care about both yield and growth potential.

WisdomTree’s push into tokenized Treasuries and income products could be masking what really matters for long term fee potential and risk. Get the fuller picture in the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Wealthfront (WLTH)

Wealthfront is a U.S. based digital wealth manager and robo advisor that builds automated portfolios for retail clients across equities, fixed income funds, mutual funds and ETFs. This naturally ties it into a theme focused on long duration bonds, Treasuries and cash like products. The company generates about $371 million in revenue entirely from its Asset Management segment, giving investors direct exposure to fee income on client assets. All of that revenue currently comes from U.S. customers. Wealthfront has a market cap of about $1.4b, putting it in the smaller end of the listed capital markets group.

Wealthfront may warrant a closer look if you think rising CPI linked Social Security payouts and stickier inflation will keep retail clients focused on yield, stability and automated allocation across Treasuries, investment grade bonds and cash accounts. The company is leaning into that income demand through products such as automated bond ladders and cash accounts, while also expanding into home lending and stock investing to keep more client money on platform. That mix comes with real tension, including reliance on higher risk external borrowing rather than deposits and a business that is still working toward a more consistent earnings profile. The potential interest for investors is how that funding model, product breadth and capital return program, including recent buybacks, might combine if retail fixed income flows stay strong.

Wealthfront’s push into automated bond ladders and cash accounts could be just the starting point as retail fixed income habits evolve. See how that story fits into the analyst forecasts for Wealthfront and what might be missing from the headline narrative.

Lazard (LAZ)

Lazard is a global financial advisory and asset management company whose asset management arm includes equity and fixed income strategies, which ties it into this long duration, Treasury focused theme. The business earns about US$1.8b from Financial Advisory and around US$1.5b from Asset Management, with a small loss in its Corporate segment, so you are looking at a mix of deal fees and fee based investment management rather than a pure play bond shop. The company has a market cap of roughly US$4.2b.

Lazard gives you exposure to a global advisory and asset management franchise at a time when higher income bond and Treasury strategies are drawing renewed attention, helped by stickier inflation and rising Social Security COLA expectations feeding interest in yield. The appeal is the combination of sizeable Asset Management revenue, a long track record in complex advisory work, and active expansion in areas like ETFs and private capital. This is set against clear trade offs such as high debt, a dividend that leans on a relatively thin earnings cushion, and a refreshed but less seasoned leadership team. For investors focused on income, value and capital return, Lazard’s mix of fees, dividend payouts and index inclusion may warrant closer attention, but the central question is how much risk is acceptable for that package.

Lazard’s mix of global advisory fees, asset management income and a stretched balance sheet can look like a puzzle that is only half finished. Get the missing context in the Lazard financial health report

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.