Blog
Only 57% of Americans Are Considered Financially Literate
April 14, 2021
April is financial literacy month in the U.S., and if one research study is to be believed, we may want to spend more than just one month a year focusing… Read more
Blog
How Does America’s Financial Literacy Rank Worldwide?
April 14, 2021
Yesterday we wrote about the S&P Global FinLit Survey, which analyzed the level of financial literacy worldwide. America’s financial literacy rate was 57%, based on survey respondents’ ability to successfully… Read more
Blog
The Global Middle Class Shrinks For the First Time in Decades
April 12, 2021
The global middle class shrank last year for the first time since the 1990s, according to a recent report from Pew Research. More than 150 million people fell down the… Read more
Blog
Surging Grain Prices Are Driving Up Farmland Prices
April 9, 2021
The American Farm Belt is in the midst of a resurgence. Dry weather and strong export demand from China have driven the prices of wheat, corn, and soybeans to their… Read more
Blog
Global Economic Outlook Gets More Optimistic
April 8, 2021
The global economy is expected to grow this year at the fastest pace in more than four decades as vaccine distribution and aggressive fiscal and monetary policy around the world… Read more
Blog
Online Shopping Grew by $900 Billion Last Year
April 5, 2021
With consumers stuck at home last year, online retail exploded. According to a report from Mastercard, consumers across the globe spent $900 billion more on online shopping than in the… Read more
Blog
March Jobs Report Far Exceeds Expectations
April 2, 2021
Job growth boomed in March, as vaccine distribution and economic reopenings fueled strong demand for labor, especially in the hospitality and leisure sectors. The economy added 916,000 jobs last month,… Read more
Blog
Home Prices See Fastest Increase in Nearly 15 Years
March 31, 2021
Home prices have seen the biggest annual gain since before the market crash, and now some economists are calling the pace alarming. Home prices nationally jumped 11.2% in January, according… Read more
Blog
How Are Americans Spending Their Stimulus Checks?
March 30, 2021
Since the passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, more than 100 million stimulus checks have been sent to American households, according to the White House. A recent survey… 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
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
Article
The Benefits of Account Aggregation
November 7, 2019
Good financial planning means taking into account the entirety of a person’s finances. At Hanover, we care about more than just the accounts you have with us. We know that… Read more
Article
The Myth of ‘Playing’ the Market
October 28, 2019
Investing is often referred to as “playing” the stock market, and this is how many investors approach their investment strategy. Like a game of chess, each move in the market… Read more
Article
Elevation Sickness
May 29, 2019
Last November, the Federal Reserve released the first of what are meant to be twice-yearly reports that examine the nation’s overall financial stability. In the report, the central bank highlighted… Read more
Article
Is America’s Mountain of Corporate Debt Too Big to Climb?
April 28, 2019
At a recent speaking event, former Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen sounded the alarm about corporate debt. In the event of an economic downturn, she warned that the current levels… Read more
Article
Blurring the Lines
December 1, 2017
How much are investors really paying Wall Street? Surveys from groups such as J.D. Power & Associates report that well over half of all investors don’t know how much they… 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
Newsletter
The Hanover Advisor – Newsletter November 2017
November 1, 2017
It’s no secret that living with a severe disability can result in an individual or family often incurring monumental expenses. These extra costs go far beyond just the additional medical… 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
Commentary
Investment Commentary – January 2020
January 28, 2020
Despite records gains in the stock market, including an increase of 29 percent for the S&P 500, economic growth slowed in 2019. While increased optimism surrounding trade negotiations, pre-emptive interest… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – June 2019
June 28, 2019
The current U.S. economic expansion, which began in June 2009, has now hit its 10th anniversary. Now, in the midst of the longest uninterrupted period of economic growth, the question… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – January 2019
February 8, 2019
In the fourth quarter of 2018, rising interest rates and the signs of decelerating economic growth crashed the richly valued stock market. Large U.S. stocks lost 13.8 percent of their… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – August 2018
August 13, 2018
While the U.S. stock market, by many broad, historical valuation measures, is alarmingly expensive, it remains reasonably priced in terms of the short-term profit perspective. The price to 10-year earnings,… Read more
Commentary
Investment Commentary – November 2017
November 1, 2017
President Trump and his new cabinet have proposed an ambitious agenda. They propose a sweeping overhaul of the tax code, claiming it will be the largest comprehensive change to the… 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
Presentation
2019 Third Quarter Review
October 10, 2019
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q3 2019. Read more
Presentation
2019 Second Quarter Review
July 8, 2019
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q2 2019. Read more
Presentation
2019 First Quarter Review
April 8, 2019
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q1 2019. Read more
Presentation
2018 Fourth Quarter Review
February 4, 2019
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q4 2018. Read more
Presentation
2018 Third Quarter Review
November 16, 2018
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q3 2018. Read more
Presentation
2018 Second Quarter Review
July 10, 2018
PowerPoint slides feature quarterly and annual performance of the global equity and fixed income markets. Updated for Q2 2018. Read more
Blog
Household Spending Drops for First Time in Months
December 29, 2020
Household spending in the U.S. fell in November, the first decline in seven months. After spending big over the summer, consumers were keeping their wallets closed amid surging cases of… Read more
Blog
Small Businesses Face Credit Hurdles As Lending Dwindles
December 28, 2020
Small businesses that have managed to navigate the coronavirus crisis are now facing another challenge in the difficulty of finding loans. As part of the initial stimulus package, the Paycheck… Read more
Blog
Consumer Confidence Falls for Second Consecutive Month
December 22, 2020
Consumer confidence fell for the second straight month in December, despite the coronavirus vaccine beginning its rollout. Economists have taken the decline as another sign that the economic recovery may… Read more
Blog
Americans Are Applying for Fewer Credit Cards
December 21, 2020
Demand for new lines of consumer credit has fallen during the pandemic, and those who do apply are seeing higher rates of rejection, according to data from the Federal Reserve.… Read more
Blog
Coronavirus Is Slowing the Pace of Tuition Increases
December 18, 2020
In recent years, the cost of college has increased rapidly. The coronavirus may be finally stemming the tide though. For the 2020-2021 academic year, average tuition and fees for public… Read more
Blog
Unemployment Claims See Unexpected Rise
December 17, 2020
The number of initial claims for unemployment benefits climbed to 885,000 last week, the highest since September. The previous week’s claims were revised upward by 9,000 for a total of… Read more
Blog
The Red Hot Housing Market May Be Starting to Cool
December 16, 2020
Home-builder confidence slipped in December, breaking a three-month-long string of record highs. The National Association of Home Builders’ monthly confidence index fell four points to 86. The index’s three main… Read more
Blog
Can China’s Real Estate Boom Keep Going?
December 15, 2020
China’s real estate construction and sales played a key part in the nation’s rapid economic recovery after the pandemic, but analysts are concerned that they may not be able to… Read more
Blog
Installment Payment Plans Are Booming This Holiday
December 14, 2020
Consumer sentiment surveys have shown that Americans are concerned about the current state of the economy, but optimistic about the post-pandemic future. This perhaps explains the recent popularity of “buy… Read more
Blog
Consumer Sentiment Rises Heading Into Holiday Shopping Season
December 11, 2020
American consumers were feeling more confident in the weeks following Thanksgiving, despite increasing coronavirus cases. The University of Michigan’s index of consumer sentiment climbed to 81.4 in the two week… Read more
