insurance Archives - CTS Financial Group

Solid Gains for Thanksgiving Week

jmuch2024-12-02T05:45:52-06:00December 2, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, CPI, estate planning, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

December 2nd, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks posted solid gains over a short and busy holiday week as investors parsed fresh economic data, comments on potential future trade policy, and a few Q3 reports from technology companies.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.06 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.39 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 2.02 percent.

Rally Extends
Stocks staged a broad-based rally to start the week as investors reacted to the nominee for Secretary of the Treasury. Small-cap stocks continued their month-to-date surge as the Russell 2000 Index rose to an all-time high. News that consumer confidence rose in November appeared to contribute to gains.

Then stocks took a pre-Thanksgiving pause as investors digested economic data. Also, disappointing Q3 updates from two computer hardware manufacturers weighed on the tech …

Stocks Retreat on Jobs and Election Concerns

jmuch2024-11-04T14:45:53-06:00November 4, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, estate planning, financial planning, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, sustainability, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of November 4th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks slid last week as mixed economic data and strong-but-not-spectacular Q3 corporate reports failed to inspire investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.50 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.15 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 0.96 percent.

Q3 Reports Uninspired
Stocks rallied early Wednesday after the gross domestic product report showed a strong economy that appeared on the path to a soft landing. However, stocks moved lower throughout the day as investors digested mixed Q3 reports from a few mega-cap tech names.

Stocks were under more pressure Thursday as disappointing outlooks for some key tech companies pulled the market down. A softer-than-expected jobs report on Friday unsettled investors, but stocks picked up as the day progressed, and attention shifted to how the …

Mixed Data Leaves Investors Anxious

jmuch2024-10-14T10:29:24-05:00October 14, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, CPI, Fed, financial planning, insurance, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of October 14th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.11 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.21 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.23 percent.

Up And Down Week
Stocks slipped on Monday as oil continued to rise but moved higher on Tuesday as the technology sector showed the way. Oil prices fell back as investors took a wait-and-see stance concerning Middle East tensions.

The S&P 500 and Dow Industrials hit fresh record highs on Wednesday but dipped Thursday morning after the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed inflation was warmer than expected.

Earnings season kicked off Friday, and update reports from a few money center banks injected some enthusiasm …

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 …

The Great Resignation

Dana Mahoney2022-03-07T22:27:35-06:00March 6, 2022|Categories: Resource Center, Weekly Update|Tags: financial planning, insurance, investing, retirement, women|

The Great Resignation

The Great Resignation — a popular phrase referring to the roughly 33 million Americans who have resigned since the spring of 2021 — is far more than just a movement of people quitting their jobs. It’s a shift in the mindset of primarily Millennial and Generation Z workers, who are fed-up and looking for a change.

In our latest article, we take a look at the phenomenon that is The Great Resignation and unpack why people are resigning and how companies are addressing this unprecedented labor market issue. Download the article here.

Money Tips for Better Relationships

jmuch2021-06-07T23:17:49-05:00May 26, 2021|Categories: Resource Center, Weekly Update|Tags: financial planning, insurance, investing, retirement, women|

Money Tips for Better Relationships

Research suggests that 70% of married millennial couples argue about financial decisions. However, when couples work together to address their finances, they may be able to mitigate many of the problems money may cause in a marriage. Grab a copy of our new resource for 10 money tips to build better relationships. https://bit.ly/2RCJOtt

Insurance Golden Years

jmuch2021-02-18T10:07:13-06:00February 18, 2021|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: insurance, retirement|

Insurance Golden Years

As you approach retirement, preserving your assets requires more than a thoughtful investment strategy. You may also need insurance to protect you against an array of financial risks, especially health care. Grab a copy of our new article in our insurance series. https://bit.ly/3jSB3F7

Insurance at Every Stage: Raising a Family

jmuch2020-10-28T09:09:46-05:00October 28, 2020|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: insurance|

Insurance at Every Stage: Raising a Family

A growing family, by definition, means an ever-increasing financial obligation – both now and in the future. Amid the increasing expenses and life demands that come with parenthood, thinking about your insurance needs can be tough. But now’s the time to consider what is at stake and make sure you’re protecting your family from whatever life may throw your way. Grab a copy of our new article that examines the different types of insurance to consider when you’re a parent. https://bit.ly/37BEn3q.

Insurance: Getting Married

jmuch2020-06-19T11:50:26-05:00June 19, 2020|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: insurance|

Insurance: Getting Married

Marriage changes everything, including insurance needs. Even if you and your spouse lived together and shared expenses while dating, you may have new responsibilities – and opportunities – for your insurance policies. We examine six topics to help you better understand the insurance landscape after marriage. http://bit.ly/3ebCV8C

Insurance: Just Starting Out

jmuch2020-01-17T09:27:36-06:00January 17, 2020|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: insurance|

Insurance: Just Starting Out

The transition to adulthood is an exciting time that marks true independence. With this new freedom comes some real responsibility, including the need for protection against the financial risks that life can present. Consider the following guidance as you determine your insurance strategy and decide how to protect your financial future http://bit.ly/2TeIeMP.