Behavioral science tells us current events have a greater impact on our perception and decisions than the past. In 2022, investors are faced with extreme uncertainty given record inflation and recession fears. The stock market is pricing in that...
Read moreIs the US Headed for a Recession?
After stellar economic growth in 2021, the US economy declined 1.4% in the first quarter of 2022 1. This was the first contraction of the economy since the beginning of the economic recovery in 2020. The S&P 500 is down 12.9%2 for the year...
Read moreShould Investors Bail on Bonds?
Bonds are off to a rough start in 2022. The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, the proxy for core US bonds, has declined nearly 6% in the first three months of 2022. This loss is compounded by those from 2021, when the index returned -1.5% for...
Read moreRussia-Ukraine War: The Crude Awakening
• The Russia-Ukraine war has led to higher market volatility. However, the cost of an extended war and severe sanctions are likely to choke Russia’s small economy. • Despite a small economy, Russia has a significant contribution to global...
Read moreThe Uncertainty of War
The one thing that is certain when geopolitical events take hold is that uncertainty runs rife, and the one thing that investors and the markets don’t like is uncertainty. It’s during these times that market volatility picks up and emotional...
Read moreIn Today’s Economic Market – Video Series
Optimizing today’s tax discount and reimbursement opportunities to perform Roth IRA conversions.
Read moreOn the Mark – Volatility: The Painful Return to Normal
After a stellar and unusually calm year for stocks in 2021, so far 2022 might appear almost chaotic by comparison, with markets experiencing a sharp correction in January. A quick survey of history reveals that this type of recent volatility is...
Read moreMulti-year Guaranteed Annuity
A multi-year guaranteed annuity is a contract issued by an insurance company that offers a fixed interest rate for a specific period of time that varies depending on the contract. Unlike CDs which are guaranteed by the FDIC, the guarantees are...
Read moreThe Hidden Risk in the Stock Market
2021 delivered another stellar year in US stock markets. The S&P 500 index, a commonly used benchmark to measure the US stock market, generated 26.9% excluding dividends1. The index hit 70 new all-time highs, the second highest on record...
Read moreThe long-awaited unwinding road begins
In the November Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, Fed policymakers left interest rates near zero but also announced a plan to start winding down or ‘tapering’ its bond purchasing program . What happens now? The Fed has been...
Read moreWill Inflation Be Permanently Temporary?
Key Takeaways • Inflation remains an ongoing concern in 2021. • While inflation is higher and likely to remain elevated due to challenges created by the pandemic, a look into the structural composition and the types of inflation may provide...
Read more3 Financial Developments to be Thankful for in 2020
This year has been a rollercoaster ride. COVID has dominated the headlines and impacted every aspect of our lives. It has shut down businesses, schools, and workplaces. It’s changed the way we interact and socialize. And of course, it has deeply...
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