Blog
What’s on my mind? You can read about it in my blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, I may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. I'm glad to have you reading along.
Weekly Market Insights: Rising Bond Yields Diminish Stocks
Stocks dropped amid rising long-term bond yields, with sharp declines in high-valuation growth stocks leading the overall market lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Rising Inflation Concerns
Rising bond yields dampened investor enthusiasm for high-multiple growth companies last week, sending market averages mostly lower in a holiday-shortened week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.11% for the week. But...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed Chair Says No Change For Now
Stock prices inched higher last week amid declining COVID-19 cases, a pick-up in vaccinations, and progress on a fiscal relief bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.00%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.23%....
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Go Back to Basics
Stocks notched strong gains last week, paced by a string of solid economic reports and consensus-beating corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 4.65%. The...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Unexpected Trading Rattles Market
Despite strong corporate earnings, stock prices closed lower after a volatile week of trading triggered by unprecedented activity in a handful of companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.27%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Optimism Stimulates Markets
Anticipation of a new fiscal stimulus and improved vaccine distribution powered stocks to fresh record highs last week with technology stocks leading the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Mixed Reaction from Markets
Markets drifted lower last week as uninspired investors digested mixed news on the economic front.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.91% while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slid 1.48%. The Nasdaq Composite index stumbled 1...
Read MoreWhat’s the Buzz with Bitcoin?
Hardly a day goes by that the topic of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency assets doesn’t come up in meetings with clients and prospects or from friends and relatives who want to know, “what all the buzz is about?”The...
Read MoreJanuary 11, 2021 - Markets Start 2021 on a High
The Week on Wall Street Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Start 2021 on a High
Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreJanuary 4, 2021 - The Year in Review
The Week on Wall Street Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreDecember 21, 2020 - Vaccine Rollout Spurs Markets
The Week on Wall Street Stocks climbed higher amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and an improving outlook for a fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged all year, gained 0.44%. The Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreDecember 14, 2020 - Cases Rise, Stocks Retreat
The Week on Wall Street Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreNovember 30, 2020 - Dow Hits 30,000
The Week on Wall Street Stocks surged last week, ignited by another COVID-19 vaccine announcement, encouraging economic data, and the easing of political uncertainty.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreNovember 23, 2020 - New Infections Increase Anxiety
The Week on Wall StreetDespite news of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate, stocks were mixed amid investor anxiety over an increase in new infections and economic lockdowns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.73%, while the...
Read MoreNovember 16, 2020 - Vaccine Triggers Rally
The Week on Wall Street News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh...
Read MoreNovember 9, 2020 - Markets React to Election
The Week on Wall Street Stocks soared last week as investors anticipated that a split Congress would raise legislative hurdles to changing corporate taxes and adjusting regulatory oversight of big technology companies.The Dow Jones...
Read MoreNovember 2, 2020 - No Stimulus, Stocks Lag
The Week on Wall Street Stock prices dropped last week as hopes for a fiscal stimulus bill faded and investors focused on rising COVID-19 infections, here and abroad. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.47%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreOctober 26, 2020 - No Stimulus, Stocks Lower
The Week on Wall Street The failure to reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill soured investor sentiment and sent stocks modestly lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreOctober 19, 2020 - A Difficult Week for Stocks
The Week on Wall Street Stocks treaded water last week amid fading prospects for a stimulus bill, fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, and increasing political and regulatory pressures on Big Tech companies.The Dow Jones...
Read MoreOctober 12, 2020 - Stocks Rise, Stimulus Uncertain
The Week on Wall Street Stocks staged a powerful rally last week, riding a wave of optimism over the prospect of the passage of a new fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreOctober 5, 2020 - Special Update: Quarterly Report
The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings....
Read MoreSeptember 28, 2020 - Stocks Mixed Amid Uncertainty
The Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreSeptember 21, 2020 - Tech Sector Slip Continues
The Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard...
Read MoreSeptember 14, 2020 - Stocks Continue Downward Slide
The Week on Wall Street Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
Read MoreSeptember 8, 2020 - Stocks Stall as Recovery Continues
The Week on Wall Street A late week sell-off sent stocks broadly lower as investors took some profits after stocks reached all-time highs earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.82%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreAugust 31, 2020 - Stocks Power Higher
The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate. The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreAugust 24, 2020 - Stocks Reach New Highs
The Week on Wall Street Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreAugust 17, 2020 - Stocks and Consumer Prices Rise
The Week on Wall StreetStock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%...
Read MoreAugust 10, 2020 - Earnings Season Winds Down
The Week on Wall StreetOverlooking stalled efforts by Congress to pass a new fiscal stimulus bill, stocks marched higher last week with the Dow Jones Industrials leading the way and the NASDAQ Composite setting multiple fresh record...
Read MoreJuly 27, 2020 - Stocks React to Jobs Report
The Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor's 500...
Read MoreJuly 20, 2020 - Stocks See a Mixed Week
The Week on Wall StreetStocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%,...
Read MoreJuly 13, 2020 - Stocks Gain After Volatile Week
The Week on Wall StreetStock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the...
Read MoreJuly 6, 2020 - Special Update: Quarterly Report
The Week on Wall StreetIn a holiday-shortened week, stock prices turned higher as encouraging economic data outweighed an increase in COVID-19 cases and a rollback in economic re-openings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.25%,...
Read MoreJune 29, 2020 - Rise in Cases Inspires Turbulence
The Week on Wall StreetA jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%,...
Read MoreJune 15, 2020 - Markets React to Fed Report
The Week on Wall StreetInvestor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreJune 8, 2020 - Recovery Optimism Builds
The Week on Wall StreetA positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreJune 1, 2020 - Optimism for Re-Opening
The Week on Wall StreetThe shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreMay 18, 2020 - Powell Somber on Recovery
The Week on Wall StreetStocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%,...
Read MoreMay 11, 2020 - Jobs Down, Stocks Up
The Week on Wall StreetDespite a historic downturn in employment, stocks managed to climb higher last week as investors were emboldened by the pace of economic re-openings, both here and abroad.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2...
Read MoreMay 4, 2020 - Economic Normalization Near?
The Week on Wall StreetStock prices ended the week slightly lower, despite news of positive results from a test trial of a COVID-19 drug treatment and several states easing their economic lockdowns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
Read MoreApril 27, 2020 - Markets React to Oil Prices
The Week on Wall StreetStock prices bounced around last week as investors reacted to wild swings in the price of oil and reports that called into question the efficacy of two potential virus treatments.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
Read MoreApril 20, 2020 - First Post-COVID-19 Data Arrives
The Week on Wall StreetStock prices pushed higher last week as news of a White House plan to reopen the economy and reports of a potential COVID-19 treatment helped the market overcome weak economic data and an ugly start to the...
Read MoreApril 13, 2020 - Markets Rally
The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market staged a broad rally this week, buoyed by the prospect that COVID-19's grip on the nation may be easing and news of another Federal Reserve program to help stabilize businesses.The Dow Jones...
Read MoreMarch 30, 2020 - Congress Approves Stimulus
An open-ended commitment by the Federal Reserve to support American businesses and capital markets along with the passage of a $2 trillion aid package improved investor sentiment and drove a strong rally in stock prices. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreMarch 23, 2020 - More Coronavirus Volatility
The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market suffered through another volatile week as it wrestled with the health and economic fallout of the domestic spread of the coronavirus. Swift and decisive actions by the Federal Reserve and policy...
Read MoreMarch 16, 2020 - Volatility Continues
The Week on Wall StreetMarkets remained exceptionally volatile, buffeted by the spreading impact of coronavirus, uncertain responses from federal policymakers, and the sudden drop in oil prices.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 10...
Read MoreMarch 9, 2020 - Rallies and Retreats
The Week on Wall StreetHeightened coronavirus fears, falling yields, and Super Tuesday primary results sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride of sharp price swings, leaving stocks marginally higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreMarch 2, 2020 - The Virus Becomes the Focus
The Week on Wall StreetStocks fell sharply last week as Wall Street considered how the coronavirus outbreak might influence global business activity and household spending.The selloff became a correction for the U.S. markets. The S&P...
Read MoreFebruary 24, 2020 - Virus Anxieties Affect Stocks
The Week on Wall StreetTraders paid close attention to coronavirus developments and earnings last week, while wondering how the former might eventually impact the latter. Concern over updated infection numbers moderated risk appetite.A...
Read MoreCoronavirus & More
In recent weeks, we’ve seen several major stories in the news. On the political front, in addition to the arrival of the presidential election through the 2020 caucuses and primaries, we have just experienced the third...
Read MoreFebruary 18, 2020 - Weekly Gains for Big Benchmarks
The Week on Wall StreetDaily headlines about the coronavirus had little impact on stock market averages last week. Earnings and mergers had more influence. All three Wall Street benchmarks improved. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.21%,...
Read MoreFebruary 10, 2020 - Stocks Bounce Back
The Week on Wall StreetStocks advanced four days out of five during the past market week, erasing the losses of the week before. The Nasdaq Composite surged 4.04%, the S&P 500 3.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 3.00%. Foreign...
Read MoreFebruary 3, 2020 - Equities Slip on Virus Concerns
The Week on Wall StreetStock benchmarks declined for a second straight week as coronavirus news tempered risk appetite.The S&P 500 fell 2.14% on the week. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 1.76%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 2.55%....
Read MoreJanuary 27, 2020 - Stocks End the Week Lower
The Week on Wall StreetStock prices fell last week as investors considered the potential health and economic risks of the flu-like coronavirus.Foreign stock markets, as tracked by the broad MSCI EAFE index, fell 1.03% for the week....
Read MoreJanuary 21, 2020 - Fresh Record Highs
The Week on Wall StreetTraders were in an upbeat mood last week, reacting to news out of Washington: the signing of the phase-one trade deal between the U.S. and China as well as the Senate passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement...
Read MoreJanuary 13, 2020 - Further Gains for Stocks
The Week on Wall StreetThe market had a choppy five days, with traders reacting to geopolitical developments and weaker-than-expected jobs data. Even so, the three major U.S. equity indices posted weekly gains and continued their...
Read MoreJanuary 6, 2020 - Concerns About Oil
The Week on Wall Street Stocks descended from record highs Friday, as traders reacted to a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran's top military officer. Oil prices rose more than 3% following the breaking news.[1] Wall Street benchmarks...
Read MoreDecember 30, 2019 - The Year in Review
What Drove the Markets? Four factors influenced investment performance in 2019: a shift in U.S. monetary policy, the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China, earnings, and the economy. Stocks reached record highs in 2019. The...
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019 - Phase-One Trade Deal Reached
The Week on Wall Street The U.S. and China announced a limited trade agreement last week. That news lifted U.S. and foreign stocks, leading to weekly gains. Advancing 0.91% on the week, the Nasdaq Composite outperformed the S&P 500...
Read MoreDecember 9, 2019 - Stocks Ride Out a Choppy Week
The Week on Wall Street Key Wall Street benchmarks were up and down last week – or rather down and then up. A Tuesday retreat was offset by a Friday rally spurred by the Department of Labor’s November jobs report. While the S&P 500...
Read MoreBuying vs. Leasing a Car
Some people approach buying a car like they approach marriage, “‘til death do us part.” Others prefer to keep their options open, trading in every few years for the latest make and model, the most cutting-edge...
Read MoreA Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Chris Rock once remarked, “You don’t pay taxes – they take taxes.” That applies not only to income, but also to capital gains...
Read MoreBest-Performing Asset Classes
According to Yale University's Crash Confidence Index, only about 27% of investors are confident the stock market will not crash sometime during the next six months.1 But if fear leads investors to avoid the entire investment class,...
Read MoreCaring for Aging Parents
Caring for Aging Parents Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, the worldwide population over age 60 is growing. The United Nations estimates that by 2050 the number of people aged 60 and older will have more...
Read MoreAnother Solid Month for the Job Market
The U.S. labor market stood strong against headwinds in October. Nonfarm payrolls increased 128,000 last month, higher than consensus estimates for an 85,000 gain. October’s payrolls beat expectations despite a 42,000 slide in...
Read MoreRebalancing Your Portfolio
Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counter intuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time,...
Read MoreIRA Withdrawals that Escape the 10% Tax Penalty
The reason withdrawals from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) prior to age 59½ are generally subject to a 10% tax penalty is that policymakers wanted to create a disincentive to use these savings for anything other than...
Read MoreEight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement
Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at...
Read MoreA Penny Saved is Two Pennies Earned
This modern twist on the Ben Franklin maxim reflects the multiplicity of taxes to which earnings are subject in today’s world.¹ Finding ways to manage expenses is one of the cornerstones of a sound financial strategy. Here...
Read MoreWhat Does An Impeachment Mean For Stocks?
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced last week that she would support an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump...
Read MoreAll Muni Bonds Are Not Created Equal
The city of Detroit emerged from bankruptcy in 2014. Still, its previous inability to pay investors left some questioning their long-held assumption about the relative safety of municipal bonds.¹ Without question, in the wake of...
Read MoreLeading Indicators Signal Slower, But Continued, Growth Ahead
Economic BlogSeptember 19, 2019 U.S. leading indicators were unchanged in August, following a 0.4% increase in July. The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) was flat month over month, beating Bloomberg estimates of a...
Read MoreImmediate vs. Deferred Annuities
Immediate vs. Deferred Annuities Despite not being as well known as some other retirement tools, annuities account for 8% of all assets earmarked for retirement. With about $2.3 trillion in assets, annuities hold more funds than Roth...
Read MoreConsumer Confidence Defies Pessimism
U.S. consumers are feeling especially empowered these days, despite growing pessimism about the economic outlook. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, Consumer Confidence Pushes Through Trade Uncertainty, the Conference Board’s...
Read MoreLeading Indicators Signal Growth Ahead
U.S. leading indicators rebounded in July, a good sign for the durability of the expansion. The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 0.5% month over month, the biggest gain since September 2018, and above...
Read MoreIs a Trade Deal Still Possible?
We’re a week into August, and trade tensions have been the biggest driver of U.S. stocks...
Read MoreDoes Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle?
Most portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own...
Read MoreCan Stocks Predict The Next President?
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.” Niels Bohr, A Danish physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922 Hardly a day goes by that we don’t get a question regarding the...
Read MoreA Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List
The baby boomers have re-defined everything they’ve touched, from music to marriage to parenting and, more lately, to what “old” means—60 is the new 50! Longer, healthier living, however, can put greater stress...
Read MoreWill The Fed Cut With Stocks At New Highs?
After Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony this week, it appears at least a 25 basis point (.25%) cut is in the cards on July 31. This...
Read MoreAsset Allocation
If you live in or have visited a big city, you’ve probably run into street vendors—people who sell everything from hot dogs to umbrellas in carts—on the streets and sidewalks. Many of these entrepreneurs sell...
Read MoreA Home Insurance Claim: To File Or Not To File
Insurance is meant to protect you against financial loss...
Read More9 Facts About Social Security
Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...
Read MoreAvoiding Cognitive Decline
Of those aged 65 and older, 10 to 20 percent have mild cognitive impairment...
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a power of attorney and a durable power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes someone to act for you...
Read MoreTime For A June Swoon?
Well, it finally happened. The S&P 500 Index pulled back more than 5% from its all-time high...
Read MoreShould I retire now at age 62 and collect Social Security benefits?
There's no right time to begin collecting Social Security benefits...
Read MoreGlobal Sectors Reflect Trade Jitters
Trade fears drove stocks to their worst week of the year...
Read MoreRollovers from Employer Retirement Savings Plans: Factors to Consider
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to roll over a distribution from a 401(k)...
Read MoreI'm getting remarried. How will this affect my Social Security benefits?
If you're receiving benefits based on your own work record, your benefits will continue...
Read MoreShould I buy long-term care insurance?
As we get older and our health declines, the greater the chances are....
Read MoreWhat is a living trust?
A living trust is a popular estate planning tool that lets you...
Read MoreWhat Happens When January, February, and March Are All Higher?
What a start to 2019! The S&P 500 Index had its best first quarter since 1998....
Read MoreIf I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?
To qualify for an income tax deduction for home office expenses...
Read MoreHow can you get an estimate of your future Social Security benefits?
One way to get an estimate of...
Read MoreThe Fed on Reserve
The Federal Reserve (Fed) has doubled down on its patient stance...
Read MoreDoes the federal government insure pension benefits?
Answer: The federal government insures certain pension benefits. Specifically, it insures defined benefit plans..
Read MoreHow much money should I save for retirement?
Answer: Generally speaking, as much as possible. You need to build a fund that you'll be able to draw on for much of your retirement income. Believe it or not...
Read More10 Years And Counting
This Saturday, March 9, 2019, marks the 10-year anniversary of the end to the worst bear market for U.S. stocks since the Great Depression. Although at that time no one could have imagined we’d be looking at the longest bull...
Read MoreMarch Higher?
“March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb."What a start to 2019...
Read MoreWhat are the rules for IRA contributions?
It depends on what kind of IRA you're talking about. Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs are each subject to different contribution rules. You're allowed to contribute up to $5,500 to a traditional IRA in 2018 (unchanged from 2017)...
Read MoreBear Market Recoveries
Investors have been especially patient during the S&P 500 Index’s 93-day drought of record highs, especially considering the gauge has posted a new high every 12 days on average in this bull market. However, history shows the S&P...
Read MoreWhere Does the Fed Go From Here?
The Federal Reserve (Fed) just delivered a widely expected, but important monetary policy decision. On January 30, policymakers decided to leave interest rates unchanged, removing the “some further gradual (rate) increases”...
Read More“Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams to Watch For
Every year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) releases its list of tax scams, spotlighting the myriad ways that people try to separate you from your money.¹ The “Dirty Dozen” Identity Theft Using your personal...
Read MoreWhy Tom Terrific Might Not Be So Terrific For Stocks
The Super Bowl indicator suggests that stocks rise for the full year when the Super Bowl winner comes from the original National Football League (now the NFC), but...
Read MoreHow aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?
The right answer in your case will depend on a number of key factors. These include, among others, your income and assets, your attitude toward risk, whether you have access to an employer-sponsored plan at work,...
Read MoreGovernment Shutdown Enters Uncharted Territory
The U.S. government is in Day 27 of a partial government shutdown, now the longest in history.
Read MoreTime to Take Off The Blindfold?
The S&P 500 Index is off to its best start in years, but this is on the heels of the worst year for stocks since 2008. The trifecta of crashing oil prices, confusion from the Federal Reserve (Fed), and trade issues with China all...
Read MoreBig Drops in Stock Valuations Historically Followed by Strong Rallies
The results may surprise you...
Read MoreMarket Fears and Economic Realities
(Fed) rhetoric has spooked financial markets, especially as uncertainty has clouded investors’ horizons. But we still believe the fundamental U.S. economic landscape is compelling,...
Read More9 Facts About Retirement
Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of what approach you intend...
Read MoreWhat is asset allocation and how does it work?
Answer: Asset allocation is the process of deciding how to divide your investment dollars across several asset categories. Stocks, bonds, and cash or cash alternatives are the most common components of an asset allocation strategy....
Read MoreHow aggressive should I be when I invest for retirement?
Answer: It depends. The right answer in your case will depend on a number of key factors. These include, among others, your income and assets, your attitude toward risk, whether you have access to an employer-sponsored plan at work,...
Read MoreShould I accept my employer's early retirement offer?
Answer: The right answer for you will depend on your situation. First of all, don't underestimate the psychological impact of early retirement. The adjustment from full-time work to a more leisurely pace may be difficult for you. So...
Read MoreHealth Care Costs Can Add Up In Retirement
Health Care Costs Can Add Up In Retirement Tip: Medicare beneficiaries spent an average of $4,734 out of pocket on health care in 2010, the most recent year for which figures are available. Forty-two percent of that went to premiums,...
Read MoreWhat is an Annuity?
Tip: Still Selling Strong. In 2015, investors purchased $236.7 billion in annuity contracts. Most of this capital—$133 billion—went into variable annuities. Source: LIMRA, 2016 Individuals hold more than $2.0 trillion in...
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