Blog
New Home Construction Slows As Labor and Material Costs Surge
February 22, 2022
New home construction fell in January, the first slowdown in four months, as builders contend with a shortage of skilled laborers and surging material costs. Construction starts on residential units… Read more
Blog
Will the Return to the Office Lead to More Inflation?
February 18, 2022
Last year saw millions of Americans voluntarily quit their jobs in search of better pay or benefits elsewhere, with the number of workers quitting hitting an all-time high in November.… Read more
Blog
Home Prices Continue to Jump as Inventory Falls to Record Low
February 17, 2022
Home prices climbed in January as buyers competed over a record-low number of homes, eager to purchase before mortgage rates climb higher. The median price for a home last month… Read more
Blog
Retail Sales Jumped in January Despite Surging Inflation
February 16, 2022
Consumer spending rebounded in January, even as shoppers faced the fastest price increases in four decades. Retail spending, which tracks spending at stores, online, and in restaurants, rose by a… Read more
Blog
Chinese Inflation Eases as Economic Growth Slows
February 15, 2022
Inflation for Chinese consumers and manufacturers both slowed in January, giving room for Beijing to ease monetary policy in an effort to stimulate the economy. The producer-price index (PPI), which… Read more
Blog
Economic Sentiment Falls to Lowest Level Since the Great Recession
February 11, 2022
Americans’ feelings about the economy are as low as they have been since the worst point of the Great Recession. The University of Michigan’s Economic Sentiment Index has fallen to… Read more
Blog
CEOs Expect Inflation to Persist, Despite Rate Hikes
February 10, 2022
The Federal Reserve is expected to kick off a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to combat surging inflation, but the nation’s CEOs expect inflationary pressure to persist,… Read more
Blog
Consumers Took on a Record-Breaking Amount of Debt Last Year
February 9, 2022
American consumers took on more debt last year than in any other year since before the 2008 financial crisis. U.S. consumer debt at the end of 2021 totaled $15.6 trillion,… Read more
Blog
More Americans Than Ever Think It’s a Bad Time to Buy a Home
February 8, 2022
Potential homebuyers are feeling pessimistic as home prices continue to climb and rising mortgage rates make pricey homes less affordable. A monthly survey from Fannie Mae showed that home purchase… Read more
Blog
Strong Jobs Report Points to March Rate Hike
February 4, 2022
The U.S. workforce grew at a rapid pace in January, despite concerns that the Omicron variant would slow hiring. The economy added 467,000 jobs last month, according to the Labor… 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 Fisrt 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
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
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
Blog
Inflation Slowed in April, but Remains Near 40-Year High
May 11, 2022
U.S. inflation cooled slightly last month but remained near the highest level in four decades as economists worry that upward price pressures are broadening. The consumer price index (CPI) climbed… Read more
Blog
40% of Bitcoin Investors are Underwater
May 10, 2022
Cryptocurrencies have not been spared from the recent market turbulence, with bitcoin plummeting nearly 55% from its peak, leaving 40% of traders underwater, according to data from Glassnode. The percentage… Read more
Blog
Taming Inflation Could Cost the U.K. 600,000 Jobs
May 6, 2022
The Bank of England (BOE) raised interest rates to 1% this week, the highest since 2009, in an effort to tamp down rampant inflation. Traders expect that the central bank… Read more
Blog
How Much Will Regular Covid Testing Cost the Chinese Economy?
May 5, 2022
In an effort to avoid costly lockdowns, Chinese cities are enacting regular mandatory Covid testing programs, though economists are split as to how costly and effective such programs will be.… Read more
Blog
What Do The Fed Rate Hikes Mean for Your Money?
May 4, 2022
The Federal Reserve raised its target federal funds rate by a half-point Wednesday, notching the largest increase in more than 20 years as the central bank seeks to tame inflation.… Read more
