RECENT NEWS
- Protecting Your Assets: Tax Planning Tips In Case Of The 2025 Gift Tax Sunseton November 5, 2024 at 1:53 pm
The estate tax exemption is set to expire at the end of 2025. In order to preserve wealth, a person must strategize what to do over the next year.
- Stress-Adjusted Investment Returns: A Key To Financial Peace Of Mindon November 5, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Explore stress-adjusted investment returns to find financial peace. Learn why reducing investment stress can support both your financial goals and personal well-being.
- Myths and Facts About Social Securityon November 5, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Here are some facts about Social Security that might surprise you.
- Google’s Upcoming Ad Change Could Spell Disaster For Millions Of Unprepared Small Businesseson November 5, 2024 at 1:53 pm
A major update to Google Local Services Ads requires businesses to link their accounts to a Google Business Profile by November 21, or risk having their ads paused. Here are the steps business owners should take right away.
- Businesses change over time — here’s how investors can capitaliseon November 5, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Companies often evolve through restructuring. As investors, we have to be on top of the detail.
Weekly Market Commentary
What Scares Us About the Economy and Markets | Weekly Market Commentary | October 28, 2024
Stocks have done so well this year that it’s fair to say market participants haven’t feared much. But just because risks haven’t affected markets lately doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. In that “spirit,” as Halloween approaches, we discuss what scares us about the economy and financial markets.
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.