Changes in tax laws, insurance regulations, estate planning and the general fluctuations in the marketplace can affect your investment strategies. Our weekly blog will keep you current on everything you need to know to pursue your financial objectives.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Surprising to many, the stock market did not crash last week amidst tension and military activity between the US and Iran. As you will read in the Weekly Market Review, the stock market has recently demonstrated over and over again...
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Monday, January 13, 2020
In this weeks recap: Stocks end up higher and oil ends up lower after an up-and-down week, as traders react to events in the Middle East and the data in the December unemployment report.
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Monday, January 6, 2020
What a decade for investors it was! In fact, as you will read in the Weekly Market Review, the last half century has been pretty amazing for investors. However, the noise for investors never stops.
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Monday, January 6, 2020
In this weeks recap: Oil prices spike after a U.S. airstrike in Iran raises supply disruption concerns; a manufacturing activity index disappoints; stocks are little changed following an abbreviated trading week.
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We like to keep our clients up-to-date with industry news and trends!
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Monday, December 30, 2019
In addition, great information on the recently passed SECURE Act... Have a Happy New Year!
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Friday, December 27, 2019
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! 2019 has been a remarkable year with investors experiencing returns that haven’t been rivaled since 1997, when I was graduating senior from Russellville High School....
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Tuesday, December 17, 2019
They did it! Our Congress, saddled with a dreadful approval rating, agreed on a spending bill last week avoiding another government shutdown. Notable Number 2 of the Weekly Market Review details how long it would take to pay down the...
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Monday, December 16, 2019
In this weeks recap: the U.S. and China reach a phase-one trade deal, the Fed leaves the benchmark interest rate alone, and November retail sales come in below expectations.
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Monday, December 9, 2019
In this weeks recap: stocks ride out a choppy week, as traders react to a potential delay for a phase-one U.S.-China trade deal and a surprising jobs report.
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Monday, December 9, 2019
Low interest rates are great for borrowers buying homes, cars, and capitalizing business ventures. Over the last dozen years, the very low interest rates have been accommodative to those taking loans, but low rates also have their...
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The November 2019 Issue of Industry Insights is now available!
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Monday, December 2, 2019
From a financial perspective, Monday the 2nd and Tuesday the 3rd, are some of the biggest days of the year. Monday, December 2nd - With 86% of Americans feeling comfortable shopping online, Cyber Monday is projected to break last...
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Monday, December 2, 2019
In this weeks recap: a shortened trading week sees additional gains for the major stock benchmarks, as optimism about a new trade pact with China outweighs doubts; household spending rises, but confidence declines.
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Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Most days I feel like the luckiest man on Earth and if you have been around me much, you have probably heard me vocalize that. Of course we have our problems, but I truly feel that God has blessed me beyond what I could have ever...
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Monday, November 25, 2019
Click Here to view the Weekly Economic Update
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Monday, November 18, 2019
In this week’s recap: the Dow crests 28,000; more hints emerge that the U.S. and China could be heading toward a new trade pact; retail sales rise.
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Monday, November 18, 2019
The Rule of 72 is a fun math equation that is easy and always true. Take the number 72 and divide it by the annual return you expect to get and it will tell you how long it will take you to double your money; for example, 72 divided...
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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced cost-of-living adjustments for 2020, which affect dollar limitations for retirement plans and other retirement-related values. All limits increased from 2019 to 2020. The 2020 limits...
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Monday, November 11, 2019
Risk on or risk off? That is the question investors must be asking themselves right now. The stock market continues to set new records in both all-time highs and bull market duration. Those investors who have maintained a higher risk...
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Monday, November 11, 2019
In this weeks recap: the Dow and S&P 500 extend their winning streaks, even with conflicting messages emerging about U.S.-China trade negotiations; a gauge of U.S. business activity improves.
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Open Enrollment: 93% of Americans Are Making This Big Mistake With Their Healthcare. Read more about it here...
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Monday, November 4, 2019
Last Wednesday the Federal Reserve cut rates for the third time this year. If your mortgage rate is 4.00% or higher, it is a great time to discuss a potential refinance with a banker or mortgage lender. Many factors weigh into that...
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Monday, November 4, 2019
In this weeks recap: stock indices again set records, the Fed makes its third rate cut of the year, October’s employment report is a nice surprise, and U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators make some progress.
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We all want quality health care at reasonable prices, but will single-payer actually create better care through administrative efficiency? Advocates for a single-payer health care system claim Medicare has lower administrative costs...
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Monday, October 28, 2019
In this week’s recap: stocks flirt with record highs, China and the U.S. continue negotiations toward a trade deal, and consumer sentiment improves.
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Monday, October 21, 2019
Long-Term Care Insurance is a fun topic right? Unfortunately, a majority of aging adults will need some level of long-term care, generally towards the end of life.
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Monday, October 21, 2019
In this weeks recap: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite outperform the Dow Industrials, earnings season gets underway, and retail sales retreat for the first time since winter.
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We like to keep our clients up-to-date with industry news and trends! The October edition of the Retirement Times newsletter is now available...
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Monday, October 14, 2019
The United States of America’s population of 330 million represents 4.28% of the globe’s total population of 7.7 billion people. The United States stock market represents 55% of the globe’s publicly traded stock.
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Monday, October 14, 2019
In this weeks recap: Stocks pushed higher, the mood changed in the trade saga between U.S. and China, and quarterly earnings reports arrived.
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Monday, October 7, 2019
Modern medicine is amazing! From heart attacks to cancer treatments, the survival rates of serious medical issues and diseases have sky rocketed over the last twenty to thirty years. Unfortunately, the cost associated with modern...
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Monday, October 7, 2019
In this weeks recap: an index of manufacturing activity hits a 10-year low, the jobless rate falls to a 50-year low, and the Nasdaq Composite outperforms the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average.
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Monday, September 30, 2019
This week’s Weekly Market Review details the punt elected official used to allow our country’s new fiscal year to start October 1st. The government expects 3.2 trillion dollars in receipts, but unfortunately is scheduled...
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Monday, September 30, 2019
In this weeks recap: the S&P 500 loses 1% for the week after investors assess mixed economic data and hear that limits might be placed on U.S. investment in Chinese companies.
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Businesses in every industry, including employee benefits, are striving to meet the expectations of the on-demand consumer. Workers expect their employers to help them understand and use their benefits, and it’s time for employers to...
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Monday, September 23, 2019
In this weeks recap: oil prices spike, following drone attacks in the Middle East; the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, and a Chinese trade delegation decides to head home early from America.
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Monday, September 23, 2019
It’s simplistic, but not easy; spend less than you make and be intentional with the saved portion. Dave Ramsey has taken this very easy concept and built a profitable empire around implementing common sense financial planning...
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Monday, September 16, 2019
More questions than answers…that is how I feel today.
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Monday, September 16, 2019
In this weeks recap: the Dow logs an 8-day winning streak and Treasuries sell off as the mood brightens slightly in the U.S.-China trade dispute; yearly core inflation reaches a 13-month high.
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Monday, September 9, 2019
In this week’s recap: the three Wall Street benchmarks advance as investors respond to newly scheduled U.S.-China trade talks and see a silver lining in the latest employment and manufacturing data.
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Monday, September 9, 2019
How do you shop? Has it changed in the last decade? I find myself price checking items in stores against Amazon or other on-line retailers. If I can save money and can wait two or three days for the item to arrive I’m guilty of a...
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Tuesday, September 3, 2019
In this week’s recap: Wall Street finishes August with a rally, China decides to pause a potential response to oncoming U.S. tariffs, and two consumer confidence indices send different messages.
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Tuesday, September 3, 2019
What did you pay for a gallon of gas when you first starting driving? Inflation - the greatly discounted and often overlooked element of financial planning is real. The cost of your current standard of living and the basket of goods...
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The August 2019 Issue of Industry Insights is now available!
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Monday, August 26, 2019
In this week’s recap: China unveils new tariffs, the U.S. responds in kind, Jerome Powell speaks at Jackson Hole, leading economic indicators rise, and stocks fall.
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Monday, August 26, 2019
This week’s Weekly Market Review contains timely updates on the federal reserve, tariff rhetoric, and interesting statistics on where in our country the new jobs are. Today is my dad’s Full Retirement Age birthday (66)!...
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
In this week’s recap: equities are hit by considerable volatility, following developments in the bond market as well as the U.S.-China trade dispute.
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Monday, August 19, 2019
Most every piece of economic data suggest our domestic economy is very strong. Inflation, unemployment, consumer confidence, wage growth, accommodative interest rates, and on and on, but a moment of being able to earn more annual...
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Monday, August 12, 2019
My family loves the beach and we were able to squeeze in a long beach weekend before school started back. While walking down to the beach I noticed a handicap enabled boardwalk dedicated to an individual that “always had a heart...
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Monday, August 12, 2019
In this week’s recap: China jolts the markets by devaluing the yuan, aggregate second-quarter earnings top analyst projections, and stocks retreat for the week.
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Monday, August 5, 2019
It made front page news of every media outlet in the country in 2011. The USA has lost it's AAA credit rating! When the S&P downgraded US issued debt; rumors and predictions of our country’s financial demise ran rapid....
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Monday, August 5, 2019
In this week's recap: stocks fall after a Federal Reserve rate cut, new tariffs are planned for Chinese goods, and payrolls see triple-digit monthly growth.
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A bi-partisan effort in Congress is underway that would allow Medicare recipients to open and contribute to a health savings account (HSA).
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The July 2019 Issue of Industry Insights is now available!
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Monday, July 29, 2019
Did you ever play kick the can as a kid? I can remember the excitement of playing at night with all my cousins during a family get together! Our elected officials have gotten really comfortable with playing kick the can in relation to...
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Monday, July 29, 2019
In this week’s recap: stocks rise, data shows economic growth slowing from the first quarter, and the stage is set for further U.S.-China trade discussions.
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Monday, July 22, 2019
In this week’s recap: stocks dip as earnings season begins; investors wait for the July Federal Reserve meeting, while considering retail sales data and comments from Fed officials.
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Monday, July 15, 2019
We hope that you enjoy this week’s Weekly Market Review. Contained within are details behind last week’s record setting level reached by the Dow Jones Industrial Average. We all know how important oil is. Heck, many Wars have been...
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Monday, July 15, 2019
Since the Trump White House increased tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports...
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Monday, July 8, 2019
This week’s Weekly Market Review details the strong job report from last week and it’s predicted impact on interest rate policy. Coming off an ugly finish in 2018, the US stock market set all-time...
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The June 2019 Issue of Industry Insights is now available!
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Monday, June 24, 2019
Contained within are summations of the Fed’s meeting last week and the market’s expectation of the Fed’s future action related to interest rates. Also...
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Monday, June 24, 2019
The S&P 500 hit an all-time peak of 2,964.03, in intraday trading Friday, while improving 2.20% across five market days. . The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite posted respective, 5-day advances of 2.41% and 3.01%...
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Monday, June 17, 2019
The significance of the Strait of Hormuz is defined by numbers – 21% of the world’s daily output of oil travels by tankers out of the Persian Gulf via the strait. This body of water, only 24 miles wide, sits just south of Iran...
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Monday, June 10, 2019
The trade dispute with Mexico has been avoided and the markets are reacting very positively, despite lots of economic data slowing a upcoming slow down. Case in point was the May 2019 jobs report that you can read more about by...
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Monday, June 3, 2019
It might be time to fill up that extra gas can in the garage since oil prices have fallen rather dramatically in the last month. Both trade concerns and record production are contributing to the falling price.
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The May 2019 Issue of Industry Insights is now available!
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Monday, May 20, 2019
Good morning! Please find attached this week’s Weekly Market Review which centers on trade relations with China. While the market remains optimistic about a resolution; 25% tariffs on $200 billion goods are in place. The longer...
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