Blog
Retail Sales See First Decline Since March As Economic Growth Cools
November 17, 2023
U.S. consumers were less willing to open their wallets last month, cutting spending and leaving some analysts to wonder if we are headed for a gloomy holiday shopping season. Retail… Read more
Blog
Falling Global Inflation Has Investors Betting on Rate Cuts
November 16, 2023
Inflation has been falling faster than expected throughout the world’s developed economies, giving some investors reason to hope that central bankers may be about to pivot away from the tight… Read more
Blog
Have Foreign Buyers Lost Their Appetites for U.S. Debt?
November 15, 2023
The U.S. Treasury market is in the midst of a supply-and-demand shakeup. Supply is exploding, with the Treasury issuing a net $2 trillion in new debt this year, a record… Read more
Blog
CPI Was Flat in October as the Fight Against Inflation Potentially Turns a Corner
November 14, 2023
Consumers got a reprieve from rising prices in October, as inflation was flat from the month prior, with some economists calling the month a turning point for the fight against… Read more
Blog
Moody’s Cuts U.S. Rating Outlook Amid Deficit Concerns and Political Polarization
November 11, 2023
The U.S. may be at risk of losing its last perfect credit rating after Moody’s Investors Services changed the outlook for the nation’s debt from “stable” to “negative.” While the… Read more
Blog
Americans’ Attitude About the Economy Worsen for Fourth Straight Month
November 10, 2023
Americans are feeling worse about the economy amid the highest interest rates in 22 years, expectations that inflation will persist, and economic growth that is widely expected to slow. The… Read more
Blog
Chinese Exports Continue to Tumble As Economic Troubles Grow
November 8, 2023
China’s economy continues to struggle as exports fell for the sixth straight month, adding additional pressure for Beijing to boost spending at home as climbing global interest rates and wars… Read more
Blog
Record High Credit Card Balances, Rising Delinquencies Point to Consumer Distress
November 7, 2023
Consumers are entering the Christmas shopping season laden with debt that they are already having trouble paying off, prompting analysts to wonder if the year’s retail sales will end on… Read more
Blog
Unemployment Rise Nearly Triggers Recession Warning As Job Growth Slows
November 4, 2023
The U.S. labor market entered the Fall with a bit of a chill. Employers added 150,000 jobs in October, half the previous month’s gain and the smallest monthly increase since… Read more
Blog
“Higher for Longer” Interest Rates Could Be Good News for the Economy
November 2, 2023
As was widely expected, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at the latest meeting of the policy-setting committee this week. The Fed left its target for the key overnight… 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 – August 2022
August 30, 2022
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 2022
May 31, 2022
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
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
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
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
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
December’s Job Numbers Disappoint, but Cap a Winning Decade
January 10, 2020
The U.S. job market ended 2019 on a down note. The economy added 145,000 jobs last month, falling short of economist predictions of 160,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate remained… Read more
Blog
U.S. Population Growth Slows to Hundred-Year Low
January 9, 2020
The American population is growing at the slowest pace in more than a century, increasing by less than half of a percent in 2019. The last time the U.S. saw… Read more
Blog
The Inventory of Homes for Sale is Shrinking, Even at the High End
January 8, 2020
The shortage of homes for sale accelerated at the end of the year. The supply of homes for sale in December was down 12 percent annually, a steep decline from… Read more
Blog
Trade Deficit Narrows, Raising Q4 GDP Expectations
January 7, 2020
The U.S. trade deficit fell more than expected in November, falling to $43.09 billion, below the economist forecast of $43.6 billion. This was down substantially from October’s $46.9 billion, and… Read more
Blog
Consumer Confidence Down in December
January 6, 2020
U.S. consumer confidence saw a slight dip in December. The Conference Board reported a reading of 126.5 for the month, down from November’s 126.8. While this is a modest decline,… Read more
Blog
American Manufacturing Contracts for Fifth Straight Month
January 3, 2020
U.S. manufacturing is starting 2020 on a down note. December marks the fifth consecutive month that has seen manufacturing shrink as trade tensions continue to dampen the sector. The Institute… Read more
Blog
Jobs Lost Due to Bankruptcies Hit Highest Level in Years
January 2, 2020
Unemployment may be at a decades-long low, but that doesn’t mean that people aren’t losing jobs. A new report has found that 2019 saw 62,100 jobs lost due to the employer… Read more
Blog
Most Americans Expect to Work Past ‘Retirement Age’
December 30, 2019
The standard age for retirement has traditionally been 65. While changes to Social Security have gradually edged that number higher, most Americans have long seen 65 as the age that… Read more
Blog
Low-income Workers See Big Boost in Wages
December 27, 2019
As the labor market tightens, low wage workers are seeing their pay increase at the fastest pace in more than a decade. Their wage gains are even outpacing the bosses.… Read more
Blog
How Do Millionaires Expect the Economy to Perform Next Year?
December 26, 2019
The nation’s wealthiest are cautiously optimistic about the coming year. Just over half, 54 percent, of the millionaires surveyed by CNBC expect the S&P 500 to gain at least 5… Read more
