(312) 337-1040

Monthly Archives: April 2020

  • Person Rock Climbing, Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

2025-03-25T13:07:23-05:00April 29, 2020|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , |

Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

Benefits of the Right Amount of Active Management

For years, the debate has been whether active or passive management investing was ideal.

When it comes to investing, many people fall into one of two extremes: being too passive or too active. Passive investors often rely on tools like target date funds or robo-advisors, which can be risky during market volatility due to their equity-heavy portfolios. On the other hand, too-active investors may fall into emotional traps like market timing or buying and selling based on fear of missing out, which often leads to underperformance compared to the broader market.

A balanced approach is ideal, and this is where professional financial advice can make a significant difference. A trusted advisor provides active management that goes beyond stock picking. They help assess your risk tolerance, ensure proper diversification, and tailor investment strategies based on your long-term goals. …

Markets React to Oil Prices

2020-04-27T14:53:30-05:00April 27, 2020|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 27th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Stock prices bounced around last week as investors reacted to wild swings in the price of oil and reports that called into question the efficacy of two potential virus treatments.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated 1.93%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.32%. The Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.18%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 1.21%.

Oil Wavers, Promising Virus Treatments Disappoint
Stocks opened the new week lower on the heels of a plunge in oil prices that saw the May oil futures contract fall into negative territory. While negative prices were largely reflective of technical issues associated with trading the contracts rather than the actual price of oil, the unprecedented move unsettled investors.

Stocks found some positive momentum as the week wore on, buoyed by corporate earnings reports that …

First Post-COVID-19 Data Arrives

2020-04-20T13:45:14-05:00April 20, 2020|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 20th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Stock prices pushed higher last week as news of a White House plan to reopen the economy and reports of a potential COVID-19 treatment helped the market overcome weak economic data and an ugly start to the corporate earnings season.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 3.04%. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 6.09% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slumped 1.75%.

Reality Hits
Until last week, the extent of the economic damage from COVID-19 lacked a lot of hard data. With the release of retail sales (down 8.7% for March), industrial production (down 5.4% in March), and new jobless claims of 5.2 million (bringing the four-week total to 22 million), the scope of economic trouble became clearer.

Stocks wavered throughout the week …

Markets Rally

2020-04-13T14:12:43-05:00April 13, 2020|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 13th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
The stock market staged a broad rally this week, buoyed by the prospect that COVID-19’s grip on the nation may be easing and news of another Federal Reserve program to help stabilize businesses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 12.67%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 12.10%. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 10.59% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 6.32%.

A Change in Sentiment
Market sentiment took a more hopeful turn on news of an apparent peaking of cases in Italy and New York State. Investors also welcomed comments by Dr. Anthony Fauci that the start of a turnaround in the outbreak is close at hand.

The S&P 500 Index surged 7.03% to start the week and added to gains as the week progressed. Positive trends in COVID-19 …

  • Couple Hugging

CARES Act Overview

2020-04-10T09:44:59-05:00April 10, 2020|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: |

CARES Act Overview

As the CARES Act was signed into law very recently, we wanted to share a summary of the key provisions and how they might affect you. Take a look at our quick overview. In particular, small business assistance and the waiver of Required Minimum Distributions. https://bit.ly/3e9kZvt.

Special Update: Quarterly Report

2020-04-06T13:15:27-05:00April 6, 2020|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 6th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Modest declines in stock prices this week masked the volatile inter- and intraday price swings as investors digested poor economic data and a warning from the president that the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic may still lie ahead. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 2.70%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2.08%. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.72%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 2.76%.

The Quarter in Brief
The spread of COVID-19 sent stocks tumbling in the first quarter as health and economic costs of the pandemic began to mount. Stocks remained under pressure, despite the Federal Reserve’s lowering of short-term interest rates and the government’s stimulus efforts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act. The DJIA sank 23.2% and the S&P 500 …

Go to Top