Blog
Leading Economic Indicators Signal Steady Growth in Early 2020
February 20, 2020
The first few months of 2020 are expected to see steady growth according to one index. The Conference Board’s leading economic index surged 0.8 percent in January, double what economists… Read more
Blog
Why are Americans Still Saving So Much of Their Income?
February 19, 2020
After the financial crisis, Americans started saving more. Now, 11 years into the current economic expansion, they are still saving. In the fourth quarter of 2019 Americans saved 7.7 percent… Read more
Blog
Japan Suffers Drastic Economic Contraction, Now Faces Recession
February 18, 2020
The world’s third-largest suffered a big setback in the final months of last year. Japan’s economy contracted at an annualized rate of 6.3 percent in the October-December quarter, much worse… Read more
Blog
U.S. Consumers Are Unfazed by Coronavirus Outbreak
February 14, 2020
The recent outbreak of the coronavirus has sparked panic in the stock market, but American consumers don’t seem concerned. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index for February was at… Read more
Blog
Labor Market Tightens as Job Opening See Big Drop
February 13, 2020
Fewer businesses were looking to hire at the end of the year. Total job openings for December were at 6.4 million, according to the Labor Department. This is down from… Read more
Blog
Household Debt Reached All-time High Last Year
February 12, 2020
Total debt for U.S. households has hit a record high, cresting above $14 trillion for the first time. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, household debt increased… Read more
Blog
Ponzi Schemes Hit Highest Level in a Decade
February 11, 2020
With a booming stock market, investors are being lured by the promise of easy money. Unfortunately, fraudsters are taking advantage of investors at a rate not seen in a decade.… Read more
Blog
Small Businesses Are Struggling to Find Workers
February 10, 2020
While the U.S. economy as a whole continues to add jobs at an impressive rate, small businesses aren’t keeping up. The number of workers at businesses with fewer than 20… Read more
Blog
Americans Are Entering the Workforce at a Record Rate
February 7, 2020
A booming labor market is pulling in new workers at a record rate. In recent months, nearly three-fourths of all new hires came from outside the workforce, meaning they were… Read more
Blog
Coronavirus Could Sidetrack Manufacturing Recovery
February 6, 2020
After a long slowdown, global manufacturing has finally begun to show signs of stabilization. Factories in Asia and Europe have been slowing their decline, and U.S. manufacturing hit an important… Read more
Article
Financial Planning and Tax Bulletin – Estate Taxes and Gifting
August 25, 2023
Estate planning is something that many of us may not want to think about for years or even decades. Unfortunately, changes to the tax code are creating a sense of… Read more
Article
Risks in the Banking System
March 17, 2023
The sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has roiled the markets, panicked investors, and left many observers wondering whether we are on the precipice of another financial crisis. The… Read more
Article
2023 Retirement Contribution Guidelines
January 12, 2023
Amidst rampant inflation, the IRS has raised the retirement account contribution limits and income requirements that govern tax deductibility. For a quick rundown on how you can maximize your retirement… Read more
Article
Why China’s Economy is Unlikely to Overtake the U.S.
July 12, 2022
For decades, the rise of China has been treated as something of a fait accompli. Economists, politicians and academics have wondered not if, but only when, China would surpass the… Read more
Article
I Bonds as an Emergency Savings Alternative
May 19, 2022
With inflation continuing to surge, it is more important than ever to protect the purchasing power of your money. We alerted you to the savings potential of inflation-adjusted I-bonds in… Read more
Article
The Benefits of Dollar-Cost Averaging
October 4, 2021
Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is an investment strategy in which an investor makes regular purchases of an asset at a fixed interval (usually monthly) using the same dollar amount each time,… Read more
Article
Asset Location for Tax-Optimization
September 5, 2021
We’ve all heard it said that when it comes to real estate, the most important factors are location, location, and location. Location also matters when it comes to investing, and… Read more
Article
ESG Investing Overview
July 29, 2021
For many investors, it is important that the money they invest is aligned with their personal values and has a positive impact on the world. With the advent of environmental,… Read more
Article
Is a Backdoor Roth Conversion Right For You?
April 30, 2021
Roth IRAs are one of the most versatile retirement investment vehicles available. Because they were originally intended to aid young and low-income workers in saving for retirement, Roth IRAs have… Read more
Article
Municipal Bonds in 2021
February 5, 2021
The municipal bond market demonstrated its resiliency in 2020 and enters 2021 in a strong position. That said, there are many unknowns in the months ahead. Our latest white paper… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter – December 2023
December 5, 2023
In a world where pension plans are becoming less common, Americans are increasingly relying on employer-sponsored, defined contribution plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s to cover their retirement needs. According to… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter – August 2023
August 30, 2023
Planning for retirement has become much more difficult in recent years. Aside from government workers and a few other industries, pension plans are largely a thing of the past. Social… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter – May 2023
May 31, 2023
Social Security is one of the primary sources of income for retirees, but determining how much you will receive can be a complicated process. Our latest financial planning newsletter includes… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter December 2021
December 31, 2021
2021 was a strong year for the stock markets, but with economic growth slowing and the Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy, uncertainty is on the rise as we head into… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter June 2021
June 25, 2021
The longest-ever bull market came to an end when the coronavirus pandemic began, and though the markets recovered quickly, the downturn highlights the importance of the issues covered in our… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter March 2021
March 30, 2021
Our latest Newsletter provides important considerations women should keep in mind when it comes to taking Social Security benefits. It also provides an overview of Health Savings Accounts, which can… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter December 2020
December 17, 2020
With the massive amount of stimulus spending, many economists fear we may see a spike in inflation. While we are of the mind that such a spike will likely be… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter September 2020
September 24, 2020
This has been a year unlike any other. Between the pandemic, hurricanes, and wildfires, millions across the globe have seen their livelihoods threatened and face tough times ahead. Those of… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter February 2020
February 27, 2020
It is no secret that most Americans are unprepared for retirement. Most retirees cannot maintain their standard of living on just their Social Security benefits alone. Americans know that they… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – January 2024
January 16, 2024
The past year was widely expected to be a challenging one for both the markets and the broader economy. For much of 2023, the question was not if, but when,… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – October 2023
October 6, 2023
As we head into the final quarter of the year, the prevailing theme regarding the economy has become “no boom, no bust.” Inflation is trending down, the economy is expected… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – July 2023
July 5, 2023
All eyes have been on the Federal Reserve, which is walking a precarious tightrope between slowing economic growth and easing, but still-high, inflation. Investors have pored over every piece of… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – January 2023
January 24, 2023
The past year was the first time in more than a century that cash outperformed both stocks and bonds. Stocks posted their worst year since 2008, when the economy was… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – December 2022
November 26, 2022
2022 has proven to be a tumultuous year for investors. Rampant inflation and central banks’ efforts to combat it have weighed heavily on the bond and stock markets alike. The… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – June 2022
June 29, 2022
The U.S. economy and stock market have both struggled in the first half of 2022. The highest inflation in more than four decades, aggressive tightening of monetary policy by the… Read more
Commentary
Market Commentary – Q1 2022
April 7, 2022
After a strong 2021, the first quarter of 2022 has been difficult for the markets. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has roiled the global economy, but even prior to the invasion,… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – March 2022
March 31, 2022
Uncertainty is on the rise as investors grapple with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, surging inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s tightening cycle. For our insights into how these trends will impact… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – November 2021
November 30, 2021
After stumbling somewhat in the third quarter, the economic recovery appears to be stabilizing as the impact of the Covid-19 Delta variant passes. However, ongoing supply chain disruptions and labor… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – August 2021
August 28, 2021
The economic recovery reached some important milestones recently. The S&P 500 has doubled its level from its pandemic low. This marks the fastest bull market doubling since World War II,… Read more
Presentation
2023 Third Quarter Review
October 10, 2023
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q3 2023. Read more
Presentation
2023 Second Quarter Review
June 10, 2023
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q2 2023. Read more
Presentation
2023 First Quarter Review
April 6, 2023
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q1 2023. Read more
Presentation
2022 Fourth Quarter Review
January 12, 2023
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q4 2022. Read more
Blog
Chinese Youth Unemployment Continues to Climb, Despite Methodology ‘Fix’
March 23, 2024
In the latest sign of China’s ailing economy, the nation’s youth unemployment continued to climb in February. The unemployment rate among 16-24-year-olds rose to 15.3% in February, up from 14.6%… Read more
Blog
Switzerland Becomes First Developed Economy to Cut Rates. Will Others Follow?
March 21, 2024
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) surprised the markets this week with its decision to lower the country’s main policy interest rate, making it the first developed economy to begin normalizing… Read more
Blog
The Fed Left Rates Unchanged. What Does That Mean for Consumers?
March 20, 2024
The Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation has hit something of a speed bump, Though down substantially from its most recent peak in July 2022, inflation has proven to be “sticky”… Read more
Blog
Home Sales Post Largest Monthly Gain in a Year as Supply Grows
March 19, 2024
The spring homebuying season got off to an early start this year, as sales unexpectedly spiked in February amid a rising inventory of homes for sale on the market. Sales… Read more
Blog
Weak Retail Sales and Slumping Sentiment Point to Stretched Consumers
March 16, 2024
American consumers are souring on the economy and spending less than expected, calling into question how much longer they can continue powering the U.S. economy’s impressive growth. U.S. retail sales,… Read more
Blog
Inflation Ticks Up in February as Price Pressures Prove Persistent
March 14, 2024
Inflation rose more than expected in February, likely pushing the data-dependant Federal Reserve to maintain its “wait and see” approach when it comes to cutting interest rates. The consumer price… Read more
Blog
Nearly Half of Young Americans Struggle with ‘Money Dysmorphia’
March 13, 2024
“Keeping up with the Joneses” has always been a concern for American consumers. Seeing a fancy car in a neighbor’s driveway or hearing about a friend’s luxury vacation can make… Read more
Blog
Rising Long-Term Inflation Expectations Complicate Fed’s Path
March 11, 2024
American consumers are increasingly doubtful that the Federal Reserve will be able to achieve its long-term goal to tamp down inflation, according to a recent survey from the New York… Read more
Blog
Labor Market Beats Expectations Again, but Signs of Cooling Emerge
March 9, 2024
The U.S. labor market remained red hot in February as job creation numbers crushed expectations, but cooling wage growth and climbing unemployment point to a slowdown. The mixed report is… Read more
Blog
Average Credit Scores Sees First Decline in More Than a Decade
March 7, 2024
Amid a period of rampant inflation, more Americans have been relying on credit cards to make ends meet, and for many, now that the bills have come due, they’re falling… Read more