Category: Newsletters

Responding to the changing needs of consumers, the life insurance industry has developed some alternatives that go much further in satisfying a variety of financial needs and objectives than some of the…

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not require small businesses with fewer than 50 full-time employees to offer health insurance. Still, many would like to do so, in part to stay competitive…

Market Commentary – 2.5.15 The Case for Active Management and Diversification The financial markets opened 2014 with caution and an expectation that a rising interest rate environment in the U.S. may hurt…

Market Commentary – 5.4.15 Don’t Let the Strong Dollar Limit Your Diversification Despite the significant multi-year outperformance of domestic markets over most foreign markets, we continue to emphasize diversification on a global…

Market Commentary – 1.16.15 Using Alternatives to Diversify Portfolios So far this year, equities have struggled with most major indices suffering from both selling pressure and increased volatility. As seen in the…

Market Commentary – 5.30.14 During the June Gloom of Investing, Listen to Southern Californians In Southern California, the weather is beautiful most of the year. However, there is the annual June Gloom…

Sometimes it takes tough economic times and natural disasters to unite and bring out the best in people. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes have served to bring communities together and…

College graduates generally earn more, have lower rates of unemployment, lead healthier lifestyles, and are more active citizens than those without a degree.1 One estimate places the lifetime value of a bachelor’s…

Surveys show that tolerance for investment risk rises and falls with the stock market. In mid-2008, 36% of mutual fund investors said they were willing to accept substantial or above-average risk for…

Bonds are issued by federal, state, and local governments; agencies of the U.S. government; and corporations. There are three basic types of bonds: U.S. Treasury, municipal, and corporate.

Mutual fund transactions can be complicated, especially with the fees and expenses that accompany the process. It’s important to understand mutual fund loads, or sales charges, and exactly what they entail so…

John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” This is certainly true of…

Market Commentary – 11.14.14 Hey Consumer, You’re Looking Good! It is common knowledge that consumer spending represents at least two-thirds of the U.S. economy. As such, readings on the state of the…

Market Commentary – 8.1.14 U.S. Stocks Suffer an Ugly Day Today, the S&P 500 dropped 39 points (loss of 1.98%), enduring its biggest single-day drop in terms of points since February 3rd.…

Universal life insurance was developed in the late 1970s to overcome some of the disadvantages associated with term and whole life insurance. As with other types of life insurance, you pay regular…

First available in 2006, the Roth 401(k) is a relative newcomer to the retirement savings world, and employers were slow to adopt it. That has changed in recent years. A 2017 survey…

A strong savings program is essential for any sound financial strategy.

Quarterly Recap – 3rd Quarter 2013Market Indices1Sept 20133Q2013Year-to-DateS&P 500+3.14% +5.24% +19.79%Russell 3000+3.72% +6.35% +21.30%MSCI EAFE+7.42% +11.61% +16.59%MSCI Emerging Markets+6.53% +5.90% -4.05%Barclays US Aggregate Bond+0.95% +0.57% -1.89%Barclays Municipal+2.15% -0.19% -2.87%Barclays US Corporate High…