Monthly Archives: May 2019

  • Identity Theft - Man Looking At Laptop In Dark, Identity Theft. Eight Steps to take if you are a victim.

Identity Theft. Eight Steps to take if you are a victim.

2025-03-26T08:31:08-05:00May 31, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|

Identity Theft. Eight Steps to take if you are a victim.

You’ve spent years building, managing, and securing your financial life. But what happens if your identity is stolen? Unfortunately, it happens regularly. In 2018, over 5.5% of consumers had their identity stolen.

Identity theft is a growing concern, affecting millions of Americans each year. There are two main types: conventional identity theft, where criminals impersonate you using your personal information, and synthetic identity theft, where they combine your data with fake details to create a new identity. Methods like dumpster diving, phishing, hacking, and data breaches are commonly used to collect this information.

If you become a victim, take immediate action by contacting your financial institutions to shut down any compromised accounts. Review statements for fraudulent charges, request a copy of your credit report to spot new accounts, and file reports with the Federal Trade Commission and local police to create …

Trade Tensions Linger

2019-05-28T13:50:10-05:00May 28, 2019|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of May 28, 2019
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks drifted lower last week as investors considered the possibility that the world’s two largest economies might take some time to resolve key trade issues.

The S&P 500 retreated 1.17%; the Nasdaq Composite, 2.29%; the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 0.69%. The concern over trade was felt elsewhere: the overseas developed markets benchmark, the MSCI EAFE, also lost 1.41% in five sessions.

Market Waits for Further Trade Talk Cues
A compromise on tariffs between the U.S. and China did not seem forthcoming last week. Negotiations appeared stalled. Regardless, President Trump and Chinese President Xi are slated to meet at June’s G20 summit in Japan.

The Department of Commerce has effectively banned U.S. companies from doing business with Chinese tech giant Huawei, a major global player in 5G technology. Some analysts think China may respond with retaliatory measures.

Leading Retailers …

Trade News Moves the Market

2019-05-20T12:22:18-05:00May 20, 2019|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of May 20, 2019
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks fell sharply at the start of last week over trade tensions, then recovered with help from strong earnings and indications that U.S.-China trade talks would continue. Even so, the major indices had a down week. The S&P 500 lost 0.76%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.27%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.69%.

In contrast, the MSCI EAFE benchmark for international stocks rose 0.19%.

The Latest Trade Developments
A broad selloff occurred Monday after China announced it would respond to increased U.S. tariffs by boosting its own import taxes on $60 billion of U.S. products. Friday morning, the Street breathed a sigh of relief as the Trump administration decided to delay 25% tariffs planned for imported cars and car parts; they had been slated to take effect on May 18. Just hours later, President …

  • Astronaut On Moon, 59 ½. Why is this age so important?

59 ½. Why is this age so important?

2025-03-26T08:34:36-05:00May 16, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

59 ½. Why is this age so important?

59 ½. Why is this age so important?

If you’re 59½ and believe you’re not financially equipped for retirement, there’s still hope. The IRS grants those at that age special allowances to help bolster their retirement savings.

As you approach your 60th birthday, significant milestones in your retirement and healthcare journey are on the horizon. At 59½, you can begin withdrawing from retirement accounts without incurring early withdrawal penalties, and you’re also eligible to contribute more to your IRA. In 30 months, you can claim Social Security benefits, and in 66 months, you’ll be eligible for Medicare. The decisions you make now regarding retirement savings, healthcare, and financial planning will shape your upcoming golden years.

For many nearing retirement, financial concerns are common, with many Americans falling short of having enough saved. However, at 59½, the IRS allows catch-up contributions to retirement plans, helping to …

Higher Tariffs Take Effect

2019-05-13T12:50:48-05:00May 13, 2019|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of May 13, 2019
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
As we noted recently, Wall Street has a wandering eye. Last week, it focused on the new tariff threats in the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. Stocks fell across five trading sessions: the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.12%, the S&P 500, 2.18%; the Nasdaq Composite, 3.03%. International stocks also fell: the MSCI EAFE index declined 3.06%.

Earnings and big-name initial public offerings mattered little last week. Traders were more concerned about how consumers and corporations might be affected by higher import taxes in future quarters.

Tariffs Increase
At 12:01 a.m. Friday, duties on $200 billion worth of Chinese products coming to the U.S. rose from 10% to 25%. Just days earlier, President Trump had tweeted that the U.S. might also tax another $325 billion of Chinese imports, mainly consumer goods.

While the proposed new taxes might take …

Major Indices Have a Mixed Week

2019-05-06T11:56:04-05:00May 6, 2019|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of May 6, 2019
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks were up and down last week, and the three major benchmarks ended up little changed after five trading days. The S&P 500 rose 0.20% for the week; the Nasdaq Composite, 0.22%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.14%.

The MSCI EAFE index, a benchmark for international stocks, declined 0.21%.

The Fed Emphasizes Patience
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its May meeting. Its May 1 policy statement noted “solid” job growth and economic activity, but only tame inflation pressure.

While the Fed was not expected to make a move, some investors wondered if its latest policy statement might hint at the possibility of a rate cut later this year. No such hint appeared. Fed chair Jerome Powell told the media Wednesday that “we don’t see a strong reason for moving in one direction or …

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