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Powell: Fed Is Ready for a Rate Cut

2024-08-24T16:51:53-05:00August 24, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

The Weekly Update

Week of August 25th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF

Stocks notched a solid gain as dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials boosted the market’s recovery from early August lows.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.45 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite added 1.40 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.27 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained 2.98 percent.

Dovish Week
Stocks started the week strong, rallying after Wall Street welcomed dovish comments from Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq each posted gains on Monday–the 8th consecutive winning session. The Dow rose for the 5th session in a row.

From there, markets traded in a narrow band until Wednesday afternoon when minutes released from the July 30-31 FOMC Meeting revealed more dovish comments. On Thursday, stocks dipped ahead of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s annual Jackson Hole, Wyoming, speech.

Well-received …

Markets Rise Thanks to Upbeat Indicators

2024-08-19T09:12:53-05:00August 19, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

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

2024-08-12T10:23:05-05:00August 12, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

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 …

  • Alternative Investments - Luxury Collectibles, A Growing Asset Class

Alternative Investments – Luxury Collectibles, A Growing Asset Class

2025-03-25T12:27:44-05:00February 13, 2022|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , , |

Alternative Investments – Luxury Collectibles, A Growing Asset Class

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

Alternative Investments: Luxury Collectibles as a Growing Asset Class

In the wake of the 2008 financial meltdown and the uncertainty of the global pandemic, investors have increasingly turned to alternative investments. Concerned that traditional stock markets no longer offer reliable capital preservation, many have sought new opportunities. Luxury collectibles, such as fine wine, art, jewelry, and watches, have become popular asset classes, offering low correlation to the market and potential for high returns.

Fine Wine

Investing in fine wine has gained traction as an alternative investment, particularly in times of market instability. After the 2008 crisis, the Liv-Ex 100 Index saw a remarkable 40.5% return. Even more recently, fine wine prices have continued …

  • Woman Drinking Coffee On Bench With Dog At Her Side, 9 Crucial Steps to Ensure You’re Prepared for Retirement

9 Crucial Steps to Ensure You’re Prepared for Retirement

2025-03-25T12:40:57-05:00March 26, 2021|Categories: Resource Center, Weekly Update|Tags: , , , |

9 Crucial Steps to Ensure You’re Prepared for Retirement

As retirement approaches, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to ensure a smooth transition. The pre-retirement checklist is an essential tool to help you assess how ready you are. By breaking down key elements, you can better understand your goals and progress. Start by determining your goals—consider when and how you want to retire, your desired lifestyle, and where you plan to live. Whether you plan to downsize your home, travel, or enjoy a more relaxed pace, defining these aspects will shape your retirement.

Health insurance, long-term care, and Medicare strategies are also important considerations. Since 52% of people turning 65 will require long-term care, planning ahead is essential. Similarly, understanding your health coverage options and preparing for potential medical costs is vital. When it comes to finances, reviewing your spending and budget is crucial. Assess your current savings and …

  • 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. …

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