Another Strong Year Sets Stage for 2026 The "Dogs of the Dow" is an investment strategy that focuses on selecting the 10 highest-yielding dividend stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). The idea behind the strategy is simple: by buying the stocks that offer the highest dividend yields in the DJIA, investors can potentially benefit from both dividend income and capital appreciation. The strategy is based on the belief that companies with higher-than-average dividend yields are often … [Read more...]
How to Stay Safe from Holiday Scams
FRAUDSTERS DON'T TAKE HOLIDAYS: IMPERSONATION SCAMS ARE EVOLVING - SO SHOULD YOUR DEFENSES During this holiday season, it's important to remember that fraudsters are trying to impersonate precisely the people you trust the most, posing as financial employees, trusted institutions, or even family members. As they incorporate AI into their schemes, they become more effective at manipulating their targets, and become ever-harder to detect. Two major impersonation threats to watch for: … [Read more...]
The K-Shaped Economy: Navigating an Uneven Recovery
The K-Shaped Economy: Navigating an Uneven Recovery As we progress through the final quarter of 2025, we wanted to share this comprehensive economic and market update to help you stay informed about the current investment landscape. Understanding today's economic dynamics—from technology-driven growth patterns to evolving consumer trends—provides valuable context for ongoing financial planning discussions. This analysis examines key economic indicators, policy developments, and market forces … [Read more...]
October 2025 Recap
October 2025 Recap … [Read more...]
Required Minimum Distributions & Tax Strategies
Tips to minimize tax burdens in order to maximize your retirement wealth Once retirees reach age 73 (as per the latest SECURE Act changes), they must start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred accounts such as 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. Failure to comply can result in hefty penalties. Understanding how to calculate and manage RMDs is essential to maintaining tax efficiency and financial stability. How to Calculate and Take RMDs Without Unnecessary Tax Burdens The … [Read more...]
Walking the Tightrope – Navigating Growth Concerns and AI Optimism
The investment landscape in late 2025 is defined by a paradox that's keeping even seasoned strategists up at night. Markets are experiencing a powerful convergence of AI-driven growth and evolving central bank policies, with scenarios ranging from a soft landing with managed disinflation to more challenging outcomes like stagflation or increased market concentration. Understanding this tension is crucial for positioning your portfolio effectively. The Growth Dilemma While pro-business … [Read more...]
October Market Commentary
Boo! At least that is what it feels like around my neighborhood. Halloween decorations everywhere… Will the market give us a trick or a treat? That is the question every October. This year it feels more like a treat into the new year. Unemployment numbers have gone up and the Fed has lowered rates to combat it. Was it enough? That question is only answered “after” a few years have passed and then the economists can get an accurate calculation and say whether it was the right call. So, … [Read more...]
September 2025 Recap
A Strong September S&P 500 and Nasdaq score their best September in 15 years. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted their strongest September in 15 years. September 2025 was notable as investors navigated Federal Reserve policy changes, moderating inflation, and ongoing economic resilience. The Fed implemented its first interest rate cut of the cycle, which investors interpreted as a positive sign for potential economic support, though risks remain from inflation and global trade … [Read more...]
The Two-Track Economy
How Wealthy Consumers Are Keeping Growth Afloat As financial professionals, we often describe the U.S. economy as primarily driven by the consumer. Household spending accounts for nearly two-thirds of total economic activity, making it the cornerstone of both growth and resilience. Recent data, however, underscores an important nuance: not all consumers are contributing equally. The spending power of the wealthiest households is carrying a disproportionate share of activity—more so than at any … [Read more...]
Private Equity Could Be Headed for Your 401(k)
Approach very carefully and with a clear understanding of the trade-offs One of the most significant shifts in retirement investing in decades is underway: the Trump administration has signed an executive order intended to open up 401(k) accounts and other employer-sponsored retirement plans to private-market assets – including private equity, private credit, and real estate. For private-asset firms like Apollo, KKR, Carlyle, and Blackstone, this is an enormous opportunity. A $12 trillion … [Read more...]