Blog
Weekly Jobless Claims Rise More than Expected
September 28, 2018
Claims for unemployment benefits rose to a seasonally adjusted level of 214,000 for the week ending September 22. This is up 12,000 from the previous week’s level of 202,000. Economists… Read more
Blog
Second-quarter GDP Holds Steady in Final Reading
September 27, 2018
The final reading of the GDP for the second quarter showed annualized growth of 4.2 percent. This number was unrevised from earlier estimates. Economists had expected a small upward revision… Read more
Blog
Home Price Gains Slow Down in July
September 26, 2018
Home prices showed an annual increase of 6 percent in July, down from June’s 6.2 percent. This data comes from the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index, which is considered to be… Read more
Blog
Consumer Confidence Hits 18-year High
September 25, 2018
Consumer confidence increased in September, rising to the highest levels since the year 2000. The Consumer Board’s index rose to 138.4, up from August’s revised reading of 134.7. Economists had… Read more
Blog
Unemployment Claims Fall to 49-Year Low
September 20, 2018
The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of Americans filing for unemployment fell last week. Initial claims fell by 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted level of 201,000 for the… Read more
Blog
U.S. Homebuilding Increased More than Expected in August
September 19, 2018
New home construction rose by 9.2 percent in August, with a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.282 million units. This is a positive sign for the housing market, which has slowed… Read more
Blog
Existing Home Sales Stabilize in August
September 18, 2018
Sales of previously-owned homes stabilized in August after four straight months of decline. August saw a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.34 million units, the same as in July. Existing… Read more
Blog
U.S. Retail Growth Slows in August
September 17, 2018
The Commerce Department has released numbers showing that retail sales increased by 0.1 percent in August. This falls below economist estimates of 0.4 percent and is the smallest rise since… Read more
Blog
Consumer Sentiment Shows Americans Optimistic on Economy
September 14, 2018
University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers has released preliminary numbers for September, and they handily beat economist predictions. Consumer sentiment hit 100.8, up from August’s 96.2. This marks the second… Read more
Blog
Inflation Rate Slower Than Expected in August
September 13, 2018
The Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), an index that tracks the prices consumers pay for goods and services, and thus serves as a strong indicator of overall inflation, increased… 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 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
Consumers Made a Record Number of CFPB Complaints in 2020
March 1, 2021
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received a record number of complaints from U.S. consumers last year, according to a study from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The watchdog group… Read more
Blog
Personal Income and Consumption Climb, but Inflation Remains Tepid
February 25, 2021
Another round of stimulus checks meant Americans had more money to spend in January. Personal income jumped 10% in January, following a 0.6% increase in January. The big gain was… Read more
Blog
Average Credit Score Hits A New High, Despite the Pandemic
February 24, 2021
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the average FICO credit score hit a new high of 711 in the U.S. last year. It may seem counterintuitive that credit scores would climb during… Read more
Blog
User Error Leads to ‘One of the Biggest Blunders in Banking History’
February 23, 2021
A subcontractor’s failure to check the correct boxes has cost Citigroup more than $500 million. Now, a federal judge, calling the mistake “one of the blunders in banking history,” says… Read more
Blog
Services Companies Rebound in the U.S. but Slump in Other Nations
February 22, 2021
Service companies in the U.S. saw a strong increase in activity in February, while their European and Japanese counterparts saw growing declines. The purchasing managers index (PMI) for the U.S.… Read more
Blog
Material Costs May Be Hindering the Housing Market
February 19, 2021
Demand for single-family homes is has reached a fever pitch, and builders are finding it harder to keep up. One of the major hurdles for homebuilders is the skyrocketing cost… Read more
Blog
Food Prices See Strong Inflation, And More May Be on the Way
February 17, 2021
With people on lockdown and eating more at home, commodity prices for ingredients like wheat and sugar and are surging, resulting in higher costs for producers. According to reporting from… Read more
Blog
U.S. Home Prices Post Record Gain, Surpassing Pre-Crash Peak
February 16, 2021
U.S. home prices have finally surpassed their previous peak set in the years before the housing crash and Great Recession. The median price of a single-family home climbed 14.9% to… Read more
Blog
U.S. Consumers Are Feeling More Downbeat in February
February 12, 2021
American consumers’ feelings about the economy started February on a down note. Concerns about future business conditions pulled the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index down. The index fell to… Read more
Blog
U.K. Suffers Sharpest Economic Contraction in Centuries
February 11, 2021
To find a comparison to the economic impact the coronavirus had on the U.S., economists have to go back nearly 80 years, describing the downturn as the most severe “since… Read more
