Timely newsletters to help you stay current on the markets, tax rules, retirement planning and the wider economy.
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Market Commentary – 4.7.14 In Times Like These, Remember Our Old Friend Diversification After posting gains in the first quarter, U.S. equities have reversed course and have started the second quarter in negative territory.…
Monthly Market Monitor – July 2014 Recap Market Indices1 July Year-to-Date S&P 500 -1.38% 5.66% Russell 3000 -1.97% 4.83% MSCI EAFE -1.97% 2.72% MSCI Emerging Markets 1.93% 8.19% Barclays US Aggregate Bond -0.25% 3.66%…
Market Commentary – 9.18.14 September FOMC Meeting Update This past Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Reserve concluded its sixth scheduled Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) policy meeting for 2014. As is normal at the end…
Blockchain Buzz: Emerging Tech Offers Potential, Not Promises
Blockchain is a data structure used to create a digital ledger shared among a distributed network of computers. It was initially designed for the peer-to-peer exchange of the virtual currency bitcoin. However, businesses are…
Financial Management Insight: Strategies to Help Build Your Future
Named after Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code, a 1035 exchange allows life insurance policy owners (and annuity contract owners) to exchange an old policy (or contract) for a new one from a…
Do You Need a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives another person the authority to act on your behalf. Unless you have authorized someone to carry out your medical or financial affairs in…
Seeking Synergy: Why Mergers and Acquisitions Matter to Investors
Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in U.S.-targeted transactions surged to the highest level on record in the first half of 2018. There were 4,425 deals worth $1.06 trillion : a 74% increase in deal…
Understanding Social Security and Medicare: America’s Retirement Safety Net
Market Commentary – 10.15.14 Flight to Quality The benchmark 10 year U.S. Treasury yield fell from 2.2% to as low as 1.858% on Wednesday morning. The move was quick and sharp and the yield…
Annual Market Recap – 2013 Market Indices1 December Fourth Quarter 2013 Dow Jones Industrial Average +3.19% +10.22% +29.65% S&P 500 +2.53% +10.51% +32.39% NASDAQ Composite +2.94% +11.10% +40.12% Barclays U.S. Government -0.87% -0.69% -2.60%…
A 401(k) plan is a self-directed, qualified retirement plan established by an employer to provide future retirement benefits for employees. Employee contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, and employer contributions are often tax…
Bonds Can Offer Stability Even with Rising Rates
Bonds can be a tricky investment when interest rates are rising, as they have been for the last few years. The value of bonds sold on the secondary market typically falls as rates rise,…
What are some tips for managing my money?
As with virtually all financial matters, the easiest way to be successful with a cash management program is to develop a systematic and disciplined approach. Spending a few minutes each week to maintain your…
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company that is funded by the purchaser and designed to generate an income stream in retirement. It is a flexible financial vehicle that can help protect…
Insurance with Potential Cash Value
The simplest and most cost-effective type of life insurance is generally term insurance, which provides coverage for a specified number of years, as long as you pay the premiums, and pays a death benefit…
No one wants to be admitted to a hospital, but for Medicare beneficiaries the distinction between inpatient and outpatient treatment can be confusing and potentially expensive. The key issue is observation care (also called…
Crude oil plays an important role in the manufacturing and worldwide distribution of numerous products ranging from food to electronics. When rising fuel costs are passed on to consumers, it can drive up inflation…
Market Commentary – 2.18.14 Remember that Key Market Fundamental:Stock Prices Follow Earnings The stock market has enjoyed a very solid run over the past five years. Unfortunately, over the last few weeks, potential market…
Virtually every investment has some type of risk associated with it. The stock market rises and falls. An increase in interest rates can cause a decline in the bond market. No matter what you…
Community Property Laws: Yours, Mine, and Ours
The question of asset ownership can be contentious in the event of a divorce, but even in the happiest marriage it may be helpful to understand the laws regarding ownership of property obtained before…
When Must Taxes Be Paid on IRA and Employer-Sponsored Retirement Funds?
Traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans are tax-deferred accounts, which means they are typically funded with pre-tax or tax-deductible dollars. As a result, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn, generally in…
The Fed Hits the Brakes: No Rate Hikes Projected in 2019 At its meeting on March 20, 2019, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintained the benchmark federal funds rate at the target range…
Market Commentary – 3.17.14 Just Like Your NCAA Bracket, Make Sure You Seek Some “Cinderella Stories” for Your Portfolios March Madness has officially begun : that time of year when we complete our NCAA…
Annual Market Recap – 2014 Market Indices1 December 4th Quarter 2014 Dow Jones Industrial Average +0.12% +5.20% +10.04% S&P 500 -0.25% +4.93% +13.69% NASDAQ Composite -1.09% +5.70% +14.75% Barclays U.S. Government +0.13% +1.86% +4.92%…