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 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 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 moreAddressing the Income Challenge
Key Takeaways Low interest rates are likely to persist, limiting the income and return from cash and government bonds. Investors need to remain flexible on ways to address the income challenge by expanding the idea of where you can look for...
Read moreThe great disconnect: the markets & the economy
Key Takeaways The recent stock market rally has left many investors scratching their heads on what is driving the rally in the midst of terrible economic data. Resilience from a narrow group of mega cap technology and healthcare names have been...
Read moreThe stock market vs. the economy
Key Takeaways Fear of a COVID-19 led recession sent US stocks into the fastest bear market in history in March 2020. The stock market is typically a leading indicator, it tends to fall before the start of an economic recession and recover before...
Read moreKeeping Calm During Market Volatility
Key Takeaways The one certainty of investing is that your portfolio will experience volatility. Volatility can often lead to irrational decisions, such as exiting markets prematurely. Evidence shows that market timing is a poor investment...
Read moreDo presidential elections influence the stock market?
Key Takeaways With the 2020 presidential election less than a year away, the relationship between politics and stock markets is likely to be dissected endlessly by pundits. Historically, the strength of the economy matters more than politics...
Read moreFed Rate Cuts: Three strikes or third time’s the charm?
Key Takeaways The Federal Reserve (Fed) cut rates for the third time this year. Historically, three rate cuts have been the sweet spot for stocks. The Fed rate cuts have improved investor sentiment and “un-inverted” the yield curve, quieting...
Read moreAre we near a recession?
Is the U.S nearing a recession? That remains the key question on the minds of investors. One of the most closely watched predictors of a potential recession in the bond market, known as the inverted yield curve flashed red. Key Takeaways An...
Read moreWhat is Driving Market Volatility?
Key Takeaways The S&P 500 is off its high on heightened trade tensions, a lower than expected Fed rate cut, and a series of negative headlines in August. Bonds have posted strong returns this year as negative-yielding debt balloons to $15...
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