With the Fed funds rate at 5.5%, its highest level since the early 2000s, the temptation of cash-like investments has never been more appealing, pushing investors to reconsider riskier assets such as stocks.

While the Fed may opt to press the hold button this month, the end of rate hikes has not been yet declared. Indeed, the possibility that interest rates could remain high for far longer than many predicted only a few months ago appears to be becoming more realistic.

The resilience of the U.S. economy in recent times has left many economists and analysts scratching their heads, prompting...