alternative investments Archives - CTS Financial Group

Mixed Data, Mixed Results

jmuch2024-12-16T08:42:48-06:00December 16, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of December 16th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks finished the week mixed, bookending losses around midweek gains as investors digested fresh inflation data.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.64 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index ticked up 0.34 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.82 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 1.48 percent.

Up and Down Week
Stocks fell broadly over the first part of the week. Leading chipmakers who produce semiconductors for artificial intelligence applications were under pressure after Chinese regulators announced an antimonopoly investigation.

Investors breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday morning following news that consumer inflation in November was in line with expectations. Mega-cap tech stocks led the rally, with the Nasdaq closing above 20,000 for the first time. Meanwhile, the Dow fell as healthcare stocks came under pressure.

Stocks remained in the trading range for the …

Rally Loses Steam; Fed Weighs Move

jmuch2024-11-18T08:50:26-06:00November 18, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: alternative investments, chicago, CPI, estate planning, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, retirement, risk management, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of November 18th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as the post-election rally lost momentum amid an inflation uptick and cautious comments from Fed officials.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.08 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 3.15 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.24 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, dropped by 2.38 percent.

Rally Fizzles, Data Rattles
Stocks began the week with modest gains as all three major indexes hit record highs. On Tuesday, stocks took a breather with monthly inflation pending.

News that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) ticked up slightly in October injected some uncertainty into the markets. The Producer Price Index released the following day showed wholesale inflation ticked up last month. While both the CPI and PPI aligned with expectations, investors hoped for better news.
Comments from Fed Chair Powell that the …

Sixth Week of Gains on Wall Street

jmuch2024-10-21T10:15:54-05:00October 21, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: AI, alternative investments, chicago, CPI, debt, estate planning, financial planning, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, taxes, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of October 21st, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks posted modest gains last week, with quarterly earnings season in full swing and the election on the horizon.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.85 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.80 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 0.31 percent.

Six in a Row
Stocks bolted out of the gate as the week began. The S&P 500 and the Dow Industrials hit record highs, with the Dow crossing 43,000 for the first time.

Midweek, the news of stronger-than-expected retail sales report contributed to overall market momentum. Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent in September, topping economists’ forecasts.

As the week wrapped up, the technology sector helped fuel a rally that pushed the S&P and Nasdaq to another record high. It was the sixth …

Legendary Women of Finance

jmuch2023-03-20T11:03:22-05:00March 15, 2023|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: alternative investments, financial planning, wealth management, women|

In honor of National Women’s Month, we pay tribute to some of the very important women who have made lasting impacts on the world of finance.

Alternative Investments – Luxury Collectibles, A Growing Asset Class

Dana Mahoney2022-03-06T19:47:04-06:00February 13, 2022|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: alternative investments, financial planning, wealth management, women|

Alternative Investments

In our new infographic below, we examine a unique alternative investment category — luxury collectibles. Along with the infographic, download our latest article on alternative investments here – https://bit.ly/3gKB4KM