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...
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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 moreBonds 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...
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• 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...
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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 moreOptimizing today’s tax discount and reimbursement opportunities to perform Roth IRA conversions.
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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...
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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 more2021 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...
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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 moreKey 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...
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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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