Most analysts have accepted 14 December 2016 as the date for the next increase in the US Fed Funds Rate, but the equity markets are unconcerned. The S&P/ASX200 is up 4% since the US election, and the three major indices of the S&P500, the Dow and Nasdaq all hit record highs this week. However, the prospect of higher rates has battered certain sectors in the Australian market, and every investor needs to consider the impact of rate rises on their portfolio.