RECENT NEWS
- Social Security 2025 COLA Is the Lowest in Four Yearson October 22, 2024 at 5:20 am
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- 3 Ways To Make Sure AI Doesn't Take Your Jobon October 22, 2024 at 5:20 am
Here's how to thrive (not just survive) during the 'Great AI Reskill.'
- Retired boomers have one big regreton October 22, 2024 at 5:20 am
Ron Sherman has always had what he considers a typical baby-boomer attitude toward work: You're loyal to your employer, you give 100%, and you never call out sick unless you really have to — and even then, you might try to push through anyway.
- The Need For Financial Literacyon October 22, 2024 at 5:20 am
Financial literacy crucial for a comfortable retirement across all life stages.
- Family is Like a Built-In Drama — 3 Tips for Making Family Business Transitions Harmoniouson October 22, 2024 at 5:20 am
Separating the family business from the business of the family can be tricky, but preserving family harmony even as you transition away from your business is possible.
Weekly Market Commentary
Q3 Earnings Should Be Fine, but Expectations Beyond This Quarter Are High | Weekly Market Commentary | October 21, 2024
The S&P 500 consensus earnings growth number of 3% for the third quarter is not something to write home about, especially after double-digit earnings growth in the second quarter. The soft number is partly due to a tougher comparison. In Q2 2024, earnings had an easier comparison with a 3.3% drop in earnings in the prior-year quarter (Q2 2023 vs. Q2 2022). For the third quarter now being reported, the comparison gets tougher as earnings growth in Q3 2023 was over 5% (vs. Q2 2022).
Gold Rally Is No Flash in the Pan | Weekly Market Commentary | September 30, 2024
When it comes to investing, gold may be the antithesis of artificial intelligence (AI). The precious metal has acted as a store of value for thousands of years with zero technological innovation — gold is discovered, not developed. Gold is also a real tangible asset and can act as a potential hedge against inflation or a safe haven during times of crisis.
Policy Crosscurrents: Potential Market Impacts | Weekly Market Commentary | September 23, 2024
Of course, last week’s headliner was Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve (Fed) cutting rates by a half percent on Wednesday, September 18, the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020. The Fed “pause” ended at 423 days and now stands as the second-longest on record, while the 26% gain for the S&P 500 during the pause (7/27/23–9/18/24) ranks first. Here we share some thoughts on the Fed’s move last week and some potential market implications of not only Fed policy but also fiscal policy post-election.
Election Implications on the Municipal Market | Weekly Market Commentary | September 16, 2024
While there are still several months until the election is decided, the expectation is that regardless of who ultimately becomes our 47th president, the biggest loser could be the fiscal deficit. Per the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the U.S. government is expected to run sizable deficits over the next decade — to the tune of 5% – 7% of gross domestic product (GDP) each year. According to the CBO, the deficit increases significantly in relation to GDP over the next 30 years, reaching 8.5% of GDP in 2054.
Second Quarter Earnings Recap: Good, Not Great | Weekly Market Commentary | September 9, 2024
Second quarter numbers were quite good and generally in line with LPL Research’s expectations. In our earnings preview on July 1, we called for double-digit earnings growth and we got it — S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) grew nearly 12% in the quarter, or over 13% excluding a $9.1 billion write-down of media assets by Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD). Profit margins expanded quarter over quarter by a not insignificant 0.4%, indicating companies did a good job controlling costs.