Blog
Consumer Sentiment Deteriorates to Lowest Level in a Decade
May 27, 2022
U.S. consumers’ feelings about the economy deteriorated further in late May, falling to the lowest level in a decade as concerns about inflation weigh on households’ spending intentions. The University… Read more
Blog
Consumer Spending Climbs in April, but Inflation Weighs on Savings Rate
May 26, 2022
American households increased their spending for the fourth consecutive month in April, but the savings rate plummeted to a 14-year low, suggesting that more Americans are dipping into their savings… Read more
Blog
Soaring Gas Prices Cause Demand to Fall to Nine-Year Low
May 25, 2022
Gasoline prices in the U.S. have gotten so high that consumer demand is eroding in the run-up to the summer driving season. Demand on a four-week rolling basis has fallen… Read more
Blog
Sales of New Homes Plummet As Prices and Mortgage Rates Soar
May 24, 2022
Sales of newly built homes in April fell to the lowest level since the beginning of the pandemic as soaring prices and spiking mortgage rates weighed on buyer demand. April’s… Read more
Blog
Home Prices Slide Amid Chinese Real Estate Troubles
May 20, 2022
The prices of new homes in China fell for the first time in more than six years, as Beijing’s regulatory crackdown continues to weigh on one of the nation’s biggest… Read more
Blog
Home Sales, Mortgage Demand, and Builder Sentiment Fall as Housing Market Cools
May 19, 2022
Surging mortgage rates, sky-high prices, and low inventory are weighing heavily on prospective buyers and builders alike as several key gauges of the housing market have fallen to the lowest… 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
Blog
More than Half of CEOs Expect a Recession Ahead
May 18, 2022
Sentiment among corporate executives has fallen sharply in recent months, with the majority expecting a recession ahead, according to The Conference Board’s quarterly survey of CEOs. More than half, 57%,… Read more
Blog
U.S. Households Are Now Spending $5,000 Per Year on Gas
May 17, 2022
Gas prices continue to surge, and the annual amount American households are spending to fill their tank is nearly double what it was last year. U.S. households are now spending… Read more
Blog
Consumer Sentiment Falls to Lowest Level in More Than a Decade
May 12, 2022
Concerns about inflation have U.S. consumers feeling worse than they have in more than a decade. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index dropped to 59.1 from 65.2 in April,… 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
Article
Bond Markets and the Economic Recovery
May 29, 2020
The first quarter was one of the most volatile periods on record. The coronavirus’s rapid spread across the world has roiled the global economy in ways that even the Great… Read more
Article
Navigating a Market Downturn
March 10, 2020
Fears about the spread of the coronavirus have roiled the markets in recent weeks. The S&P 500, after hitting a record high just weeks ago, has entered correction territory. A… Read more
Article
The Impact of the Coronavirus Outbreak on the Economy and Your Investments
January 29, 2020
The recent coronavirus outbreak has already enacted a human cost. At the time of writing, there have been nearly 4,700 confirmed cases, resulting in more than 100 deaths. Both numbers… Read more
Article
How to Beat the Short Term Market Jitters
December 4, 2019
When the financial markets are in turmoil and account balances start to fall, there is a strong temptation retreat from the market to stem any perceived losses. Yet it is… 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
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter December 2019
December 16, 2019
Saving for your retirement was supposed to be the hard part. When the day comes, however, when you feel confident that you have enough of a nest egg accumulated and… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter May 2019
May 20, 2019
First Quarter GDP Beats Expectations, but May Not Tell the Whole Story The U.S. economy beat all estimates and grew by 3.2 percent in the first three months of the… Read more
Newsletter
Financial Planning Newsletter September 2018
October 1, 2018
Roth IRAs vs. Traditional IRAs: What You Need to Know Originally intended to aid young and low-income workers in saving for retirement, Roth IRAs have become one of the most… 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
Commentary
Market Commentary – Q2 2021
July 9, 2021
The global economic recovery continued its acceleration in the first half of 2020, though unevenly in some regions where lagging vaccination rates and the emergence of the “Delta variant” have… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – May 2021
May 27, 2021
As expected, economic activity boomed in the first few months of 2021. Widespread vaccinations, pent-up consumer demand, and a massive injection of government stimulus brought the economy roaring back to… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – February 2021
February 26, 2021
Despite a severe economic downturn caused by the coronavirus and ensuing shutdown, the U.S. economy staged an impressive comeback in the second half of 2020. At the end of the… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – November 2020
November 18, 2020
As we head into the final weeks of 2020, the economic recovery has continued its strong, if uneven, pace. Third-quarter GDP growth topped lofty expectations, expanding at a 33.1% annualized… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – August 2020
August 28, 2020
Following steep losses in the immediate aftermath of the coronavirus, the stock market saw a swift recovery, making up much of the losses and, in some cases, reaching new highs.… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – April 2020
April 27, 2020
The coronavirus outbreak and ensuing lockdown delivered an unprecedented hit to the global economy and the financial markets. Though recent weeks have seen millions of Americans file for unemployment and… Read more
Presentation
2022 First Quarter Review
April 5, 2022
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q1 2022. Read more
Presentation
2021 Fourth Quarter Review
January 10, 2022
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q4 2021. Read more
Presentation
2021 Third Quarter Review
October 7, 2021
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q3 2021. Read more
Presentation
2021 Second Quarter Review
July 7, 2021
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q2 2021. Read more
Presentation
2021 First Quarter Review
April 7, 2021
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q1 2021. Read more
Presentation
2020 Fourth Quarter Review
January 12, 2021
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q4 2020. Read more
Presentation
2020 Second Quarter Review
July 7, 2020
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q2 2020. Read more
Presentation
2020 First Quarter Review
April 12, 2020
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q1 2020. Read more
Presentation
2019 Fourth Quarter Review
January 8, 2020
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q4 2019. Read more
Blog
Mortgage Rates Plummet as Coronavirus Fears Spread
February 24, 2020
Concerns about the spread of coronavirus and its impact on global supply chains have roiled the markets. U.S. bond yields are dropping fast, and pulling mortgage rates down with them.… Read more
Blog
IMF Cuts Global Growth Outlook over Coronavirus Concerns
February 21, 2020
As the coronavirus continues to spread to new countries, the International Monetary Fund is trying to determine the outbreak’s impact on global growth. They have estimated that the impact of… Read more
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
