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Markets Rise Thanks to Upbeat Indicators

jmuch2024-08-19T09:12:53-05:00August 19, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, Fed, financial planning, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, taxes, wealth management|

The Weekly Update

Week of August 19th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks posted solid gains last week, buoyed by robust economic data and constructive comments from Fed officials.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.93 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 5.29 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged a bit, picking up 2.94 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, powered ahead by 4.31 percent.

Upbeat Economic News
Three critical economic data points gave investors what they were looking for: wholesale inflation, consumer prices, and retail sales.

Both the Producer Price Index and the Consumer Price Index rose less than expected in July, reinforcing a picture of cooling inflation. The July retail sales report on Thursday was stronger than expected, which added more fuel to the week-long rally.

Market action slowed down on the week’s final trading day, with positive consumer sentiment gains countered only by a …

Stocks Stage Comeback After Heavy Monday

jmuch2024-08-12T10:23:05-05:00August 12, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, CPI, Fed, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, risk management, taxes, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of August 12th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks ended last week with modest losses, masking a volatile five-day trading period that saw investors embrace recession concerns and then dismiss the slow-down talk as speculation as the week progressed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.60 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index ended flat (-0.04 percent). The Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.18 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 1.21 percent.

Stocks Stage Comeback
Monday was the worst day for the S&P 500 and the Dow in nearly two years. As recession talk grew louder, investors took a “risk off” position.

On Monday, the Japanese market had its worst drop since 1987 as market participants unwound positions from a popular trading strategy called a “carry trade” amid a global sell-off in stock prices.

But on Thursday, initial jobless claims fell less than expected—a positive …

Started in Chicago

jmuch2019-12-20T13:59:47-06:00December 20, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago|

Started in Chicago

Every year, Chicago further strengthens its position as a business and tech hub, serving as home base to many fantastic young companies and well-known, industry powerhouses. Watch our latest presentation that takes a look at some big Chicago companies that started small, and small companies ready to do big things, along with the ecosystem of launch pads that are empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. http://bit.ly/36NtAiV

Boss Ladies of Chicago

jmuch2019-09-12T11:31:42-05:00September 12, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago|

Boss Ladies of Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S. but has the highest concentration of women founders. With such a large population of boss ladies in our great city, we thought it was time to celebrate the work being done by six of these visionaries. Take a look at this. http://bit.ly/bossladieschicago

See What’s Cooking with Max Lukawski

jmuch2018-11-16T09:45:17-06:00November 16, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago, taxes|

See What’s Cooking with Max Lukawski

See what’s cooking with Max Lukawski, CTS Financial Group’s Director of Tax Services. Max took a crack at the Proust Questionnaire, revealing what he likes to do when he’s not crunching numbers. Wait ‘till you see what a Renaissance man he is. http://bit.ly/max_proust

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

jmuch2018-09-07T13:00:26-05:00September 7, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago, investing, wealth management|

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

Christopher Much steps up to the Proust Questionnaire plate today, giving us some visibility into what makes him tick. Did you know that when he’s not crunching numbers and consulting with clients, Chris throws on a Gi and can be found studying the art of jiu-jitsu? Meet Chris. http://bit.ly/cts_proust2

Urban Exploration

jmuch2018-08-10T13:34:34-05:00August 10, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago|

Take only photos, leave only footprints

Urban exploration is the pursuit of a time gone by, involving the documentation of abandoned man-made structures and the not-usually-seen components of the man-made environment. Digital images and traditional film allow us to stop time and memorialize a way of life – before demolition, erosion and looting take their toll. An urban explorer for most of his adult life, Jonathon Much shares with us some of his most beautiful and haunting photographic work from the Chicagoland area. https://bit.ly/2LGDfSx

Jonathon Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

jmuch2018-07-12T12:26:24-05:00July 12, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago, wealth management|

Jonathon Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

In the late 1800’s, the Proust Questionnaire emerged as a popular parlor game and a way for friends and associates to better get to know one another. We distributed the questionnaire to the CTS team so that you could see what makes them tick. Jonathon Much is first up in answering the Proust Questionnaire.

Choosing a Financial Advisor: What to Know Before You Invest

jmuch2018-06-28T10:24:44-05:00June 28, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago, financial planning, taxes, wealth management|

Choosing a Financial Advisor: What to Know Before You Invest

Choosing a financial advisor may be one of the most important financial decisions that you’ll ever make, and the quality of this advisor’s advice could heavily influence your long-term financial success. Consider these things before making your selection. http://bit.ly/choosing_advisor

The Best Super Bowl Commercials Ever

jmuch2018-01-31T14:08:15-06:00January 31, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago|

… which awesome commercials will run during this match-up?

Sunday, February 4th. Super Bowl LII. With the Eagle’s Carson Wentz out for the season, will Nick Foles be able to take the heat from Tom Brady and the Patriots? And, an even bigger question … which awesome commercials will run during this match-up? We are looking forward to an exciting game, great food, and the best ads of the year.

Check out our new video, The Best Super Bowl Commercials Ever, a compilation of CTS Financial Group’s favorites. https://youtu.be/NqMGke-8IAQ