Markets opened the year mixed.
U.S. stocks declined in the first quarter, while international stocks posted unexpectedly strong results — outperforming U.S. markets by 10.9%. That’s the widest margin in more than 35 years! European markets, in particular, responded favorably as the EU began reconsidering limits on debt spending for defense. It’s a reminder of how quickly sentiment can shift in the markets.
Replay of our webinar hosted October 31, 2024, where we discussed recent alarming headlines - from fears of the dollar’s potential demise and concerns about U.S. debt, to worries over artificial intelligence taking jobs, and a few large stocks dominating the U.S. market. These stories can stir up fears of an economic apocalypse, but is rushing to gold or bitcoin really the answer? We welcomed Stephanie Aliaga from J.P. Morgan’s Market Insights team to discuss why there’s still plenty of reason for optimism.
The Federal Reserve recently made its first interest rate cut in more than four years, reducing their benchmark rate by 0.50% at their September 18 meeting. Although this move was widely anticipated, we want to unpack what this means for your investments and where we expect interest rates to go from here.
In an unpredictable world, securing your financial future and protecting your loved ones is paramount. Life and disability insurance are vital components, ensuring you and your family remain financially stable regardless of what life throws your way.
Asset allocation is a crucial strategy for anyone looking to protect their wealth. It involves spreading investments across various asset classes—stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash— to balance risk and reward according to an individual's goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
Replay of our webinar hosted July 23, 2024, where we discussed historical perspectives on elections and markets, how the government and stock market are intertwined, what does control of congress tell us about market performance, how do specific policies of the president impact the market, and most importantly what should you be doing with your investment portfolio during the run up this November’s election.
As we sit here in mid-July and reflect on the first half of 2024 there is so much good news to talk about regarding the US economy, the global capital markets, and the exciting wave of technology innovation being driven by Artificial Intelligence. US markets have reached all times (S&P 500 closed the quarter at 5,460 +53% from its Oct. 12, 2022, low); US GDP rose 1.4% in Q1 and 2.9% Year over Year; Headline CPE moderated slightly to 3.3% and the Fed’s preferred metric PCE was at 2.6%, much closer to their 2% target. Outside of the US, emerging markets have returned 7.7% YTD through June and developed international markets have returned a solid 5.7% over the same period.
Whether it's a tropical beach getaway, an adventurous trek through the mountains, or a cultural immersion in a foreign city, we all have dream vacations on our bucket lists. But how do you turn these dreams into reality without breaking the bank?
Here are some insights and strategies to help you plan and save for your perfect vacation.
Many of you may not remember The Twilight Zone, a Sci-Fi TV series from the early 60’s, created by Rod Sterling. I have vague memories from watching reruns as a child. One episode stuck with me. It was about a neurotic older man who was obsessed with organization and detail; to the extent it drove him crazy, and he ended up in a mental institution. He kept muttering, “a place for everything and everything in its place”.
