In this week’s recap: Stocks kept cool, even as inflation came in hot. THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks ended the week mixed as investors appeared to shrug off a hotter-than-expected inflation report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.80%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 0.41%. The Nasdaq Composite index led, tacking on 1.85%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.31%.1,2,3 ANOTHER QUIET WEEK The market traded in a narrow … [Read more...]

This year, markets have experienced an odd phenomenon. A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for uncertainty in the future than anything else.1 There are many reasons for this change, but here are a few of the most impactful to keep in mind. Pandemic worries. One reason for this shift is directly related to life prior to COVID-19. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed believe protecting their financial assets and … [Read more...]

How many pieces do you have in place? When you read about money matters, you will sometimes see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean? When your financial “house is in order,” it means it is built on a solid foundation. It means that you have six fundamental “pillars” in place that are either crucial for sustaining your financial well-being or creating wealth. #1: A savings account. This is your Fort Knox: the place where you store and build … [Read more...]

What to know about shifting market attention, and investor burnout. It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street. Lately, the financial markets have been fixated on federal taxes and what may be proposed on Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead. Wall Street’s focus on taxes closely follows its attention on the 10-year Treasury yield. And it wasn’t that long ago that the financial markets were influenced by reopening and vaccine distribution … [Read more...]

What role should taxes play in your investment decisions? Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? Do you have a 401(k) or a traditional IRA? If so, you will receive income from both after age 72. However, if you have saved and invested much of your life, you may also end up retiring at a higher marginal tax rate than your current one. In fact, the income alone resulting from a Required Minimum Distribution could push you into a higher tax bracket. While retirees with lower incomes may … [Read more...]

Here’s what the financial forecast may have in store. It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs) that double in price on the first day of trading. But a recent survey by The Wall Street Journal showed just how upbeat economists are about 2021.1 Here’s a quick summary of the highlights. Increased projected economic … [Read more...]

Time to tune up your financial strategy. January is Financial Wellness Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy.1 For a financial professional, it’s time to connect with new clients and discuss their financial situation and aspirations for their future. It’s also a good time to connect with established clients and check it to see if their financial strategy needs any adjustment, as well as talk about any changes they want to discuss. Having your … [Read more...]

Aspects of your financial life to review as the year draws to a close. The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and the goals we want to accomplish. To that end, here are some aspects of your financial life to think about as this year leads into the next. Keep in mind, this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice. Make certain to contact a tax or legal professional before modifying your tax strategy. … [Read more...]

Six areas of personal finance to review. When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to review those six personal finance areas.1 Cash Management: This is a broad topic that can address many issues. One area is creating an emergency fund, which is money that's set aside for unplanned expenses. Cash management … [Read more...]