Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Weekly Market Insights: Attention Turns to the Debt Ceiling
Stocks were mixed last week as good inflation news was offset by mounting debt ceiling concerns and rekindled regional banking fears.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.29%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally As Attention Shifts to Fed's May Meeting
Strong earnings from several mega-cap technology companies offset renewed regional banking jitters and weak economic data, leaving stocks higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.86%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks show small losses after mixed week
Stocks remained resilient last week amid mixed earnings reports, hawkish Fed-speak, and lingering recession fears, closing out the five trading days with small losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.23%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Lower inflation lifts spirits in uneven week.
The combination of an improving inflation outlook resulted in a week of uneven, albeit positive, performance, in which cyclical and financial stocks rallied while technology, real estate, and utilities lagged. The Dow Jones...
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Weekly Market Insights: FOMC Says Inflation is Still Too High
Concerns over a firmer monetary policy were heightened by fresh economic data, touching off a climb in bond yields and a slide in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
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Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results As Interest Rate Concerns Grow
Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: Powell: Inflation Heading in the Right Direction
Stocks were mixed last week following better-than-expected corporate reports and increasing optimism over a slowdown in interest rates.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged lower, slipping -0.15%. The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose...
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Weekly Market Insights: Earnings and Data Tell Two Different Stories on Near Future.
Stocks added to their early 2023 gains amid a busy stream of mixed corporate earnings results and conflicting economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.47%. The Nasdaq...
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Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results Following Weak Economic Data
Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season. The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: New Year's Rally in Reply to Positive Economic News
A strong Friday rally triggered by fresh signs of moderating inflation pushed stocks into positive territory to begin the new year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.45%....
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Weekly Market Insights: Recession Concerns, Fed Talk Keep Stocks Cold
Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.08%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Slide on Recession Concerns
Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights: Fed Talks Turkey on Lower Rates, Boosting Markets
Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets Down Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday
The stock market edged lower last week as it digested a crosscurrent of conflicting economic data and contrasting comments from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.01%), while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: Cooling Inflation Brings Market Gains
A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Slip After Powell Comments
Hawkish comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, following the announcement of another 75 basis points interest rate hike last week, cast a pall over financial markets, sending yields higher and stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial...
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Weekly Market Insights: Plenty of Treats for Wall Street This Week
Stocks overcame poor earnings results from some of America’s largest companies to post gains last week as investors cheered positive earnings surprises, easing inflation and a rebound in economic growth.The Dow Jones Industrial...
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Weekly Market Insights: Volatility Reigns; Inflation Remains Unchecked.
Stocks were mixed last week amid wide intra- and inter-day price swings, as technology shares bore the brunt of the downdraft.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.15% for the week. Meanwhile, the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: U.S. and U.K. See Financial Turbulence
Rising recession fears and uncertainty in the bond and currency markets sent stocks to new 2022 lows last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.91%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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Weekly Market Insights: White Hot Inflation Report Alarms Investors
A hotter-than-expected inflation report sent stocks sharply lower last week as investors faced the prospect of more aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve for perhaps a longer period.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets Sag, Job Numbers Soar
The overhang of Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech the previous week carried over into last week as investors recalibrated stock valuations amid a seemingly more assertive monetary policy stance.The Dow Jones Industrial...
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Weekly Market Insights: Powell comments spur sell-off on Wall Street
A comprehensive sell-off on Friday following comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell drove stocks to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 4.22%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 4.04%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets React to Dim Forecast, 2Q Reports
Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Friday Rally Stems Week of Losses
A record-high inflation report, the prospects of a more aggressive Fed, and growing recession fears sent stocks lower– though losses were pared by a Friday rally.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the Standard...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally, Despite Recession Concerns
Prospects of cooling inflation powered a rally in stock prices last week despite growing recession concerns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5.39%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 6.45%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Dip on Inflation Report
A higher-than-expected inflation report triggered a sell-off on Friday, leaving stocks in the red for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights: Inflation and Ukraine Fears Cool Markets
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Weekly Market Insights: COVID-19 Variant Clobbers Markets
News of a new, highly virulent COVID variant triggered a market sell-off on Friday, sending stocks into negative territory for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Mixed on COVID-19, Powell
Stocks were mixed last week in choppy trading as investors battled the crosscurrents of good economic data and a troubling rise in COVID-19 infections globally.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.38%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Tap the Brakes
Stocks posted small declines last week as investors digested recent stock market gains and an unexpectedly high inflation read.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 0.31%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Fed Says Tapering Ahead
A Federal Reserve announcement on tapering, a fresh batch of corporate profits, and encouraging economic data lifted stocks to another weekly gain.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: Earnings Build; GDP Slows
A fresh wave of positive corporate earnings surprises sent markets to new record highs last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.40%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.33%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked...
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Weekly Market Insights: Strong Week on Wall Street
Stocks rallied last week on a stream of positive corporate earnings surprises.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.64%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 1.29% for the week....
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Weekly Market Insights: Delta Variant Concerns Markets
In a quiet week of news, stocks moved lower amid simmering concerns over the Delta variant’s effect on the progress of economic reopening.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: Powell: Tapering Likely in 2021
The stock market powered to record levels last week amid talk of Fed tapering and a deceleration in new Delta variant cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased 1.52%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Passage of Infrastructure Boosts Stocks
Looking past inflation figures and Delta variant trends, stocks last week found a way to climb higher and set fresh record highs in the process.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.87%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: Jobs Strong, Earnings Strong
Overcoming jitters about the Delta variant and the reintroduction of mask requirements, stocks climbed higher on strong employment data and a fresh batch of strong corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.78% while...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets Overcome Delta Variant Reports
Overcoming a COVID-related economic growth scare, stocks moved higher amid a week of strong corporate earnings reports.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.96%. The Nasdaq...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Edge Higher in Short Week
Stocks managed small gains as investors wrestled with concerns over economic growth prospects and a rise in COVID-19 infections.The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 0.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.40%....
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Stay Cool, Inflation Heats Up
Stocks ended the week mixed as investors appeared to shrug off a hotter-than-expected inflation report.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.80%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 0.41%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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Weekly Market Insights: Labor Numbers Positive
A strong, but not too strong, employment report sparked a rally on the final day of trading, propelling stocks to a modest gain for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed by 0.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: Upbeat Feelings Boost Market
Optimism over the economic reopening and renewed enthusiasm for technology and other high-growth companies powered the stock market higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
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Weekly Market Insights: Inflation Concerns Continue
Stock prices fluctuated amid inflation concerns and bargain hunting, leaving stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.51%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.43%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks React to Big CPI Shift
A surge in consumer inflation unsettled investors, leading to a turbulent week of trading on Wall Street.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.14%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights: Labor Numbers Reflect Uncertainty
Stocks closed mixed last week as signs of continued economic recovery and upbeat earnings helped some sectors while the struggles persisted for high-growth companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.67%, while the Standard...
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Weekly Market Insights: Earnings Season Crests Some Expectations
Stocks meandered around a flatline in a busy week of corporate earnings, ending the trading week slightly lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.50%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 was flat (+0.02%). The Nasdaq...
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Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Signals, Choppy Week
The crosscurrents of strong corporate earnings, rising global cases of COVID-19, and the specter of higher capital gains taxes led to a choppy week of trading that left stock prices slightly lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Move Higher on Latest Numbers
Stocks reached record highs last week, riding the tailwind of improving economic data and a strong start to the earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.18%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.37%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Tech Stocks On the Rise
Strong economic data and a resurgent technology sector propelled stocks to solid gains last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 2.71%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq...
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Weekly Market Insights: S&P 500 Rises Above 4,000
Overcoming a rocky start, stocks rallied into the close of a holiday-shortened week of trading as technology shares staged a powerful recovery and investors reacted positively to President Biden’s infrastructure spending...
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Weekly Market Insights: Rocky Week Despite Upbeat Signals
A rocky week with wide price swings led to mixed results for stocks last week, as investors grappled with anxieties over economic growth and weakness in technology and other high-growth stocks.The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1...
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Weekly Market Insights: Modest Losses After Choppy Week
Rising bond yields and improving economic conditions led to a choppy week of trading that ended in modest losses for investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 0.77%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks React Sharply to Bonds, Inflation
Stocks were mixed last week as rising bond yields and heightening inflation fears sent stocks on a wild ride, capped by a remarkable Friday afternoon rally.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.82%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Rising Bond Yields Diminish Stocks
Stocks dropped amid rising long-term bond yields, with sharp declines in high-valuation growth stocks leading the overall market lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...
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Weekly Market Insights: Rising Inflation Concerns
I know you are bombarded with emails which can be all too impersonal. I’d like to change that! Hopefully, you’ve found our weekly Market Insights email valuable. In addition to the market and economic review each week, I...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets Go Back to Basics
Stocks notched strong gains last week, paced by a string of solid economic reports and consensus-beating corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 4.65%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Unexpected Trading Rattles Market
Despite strong corporate earnings, stock prices closed lower after a volatile week of trading triggered by unprecedented activity in a handful of companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.27%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Optimism Stimulates Markets
Anticipation of a new fiscal stimulus and improved vaccine distribution powered stocks to fresh record highs last week with technology stocks leading the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Reaction from Markets
Markets drifted lower last week as uninspired investors digested mixed news on the economic front.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.91% while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slid 1.48%. The Nasdaq Composite index stumbled 1...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets Start 2021 on a High
Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Weekly Market Insights: The Year in Review
Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased...
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Weekly Market Insights: Vaccine Rollout Spurs Markets
Stocks climbed higher amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and an improving outlook for a fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged all year, gained 0.44%. The Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 1.25%...
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Weekly Market Insights: Cases Rise, Stocks Retreat
Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Weekly Market Insights: Vaccine Triggers Rally
News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh lockdowns.The Dow Jones...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rise, Stimulus Uncertain
Stocks staged a powerful rally last week, riding a wave of optimism over the prospect of the passage of a new fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased 3.84%....
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Weekly Market Insights: Quarterly Report
Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings.The Dow Jones Industrial...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Mixed Amid Uncertainty
Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.75%,...
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Weekly Market Insights: Tech Sector Slip Continues
Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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As a College Football Coach & Spouse Today – How Much Cash Do You Need?
I crossed my 35th week of pregnancy this week. As a first-time mom, with somewhere between 5 weeks to go – things are way past real. And to add to my excitement and nervousness, my husband, Football Coach at Furman University had...
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Race for a Vaccine
A U.S. drug company recently said that it’s in late-stage trials for its coronavirus vaccine and reported that it could be given to Americans as early as the end of the year.1Great news. But it seems like every few days...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Continue Downward Slide
Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.66%, while the...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Stall as Recovery Continues
A late week sell-off sent stocks broadly lower as investors took some profits after stocks reached all-time highs earlier in the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.82%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.31%...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Power Higher
Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Reach New Highs
Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose by 0...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks and Consumer Prices Rise
Stock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard...
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Weekly Market Insights: Earnings Season Winds Down
Overlooking stalled efforts by Congress to pass a new fiscal stimulus bill, stocks marched higher last week with the Dow Jones Industrials leading the way and the NASDAQ Composite setting multiple fresh record highs.The Dow Jones...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Have Mixed Reaction
Stocks were mixed last week amid a busy week of earnings, some troubling economic data, and seemingly little progress on a new fiscal stimulus package.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks React to Jobs Report
Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dipped 0.28%. The...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks See a Mixed Week
Stocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%, while the Standard...
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Weekly Market Insights: Quarterly Report
In a holiday-shortened week, stock prices turned higher as encouraging economic data outweighed an increase in COVID-19 cases and a rollback in economic re-openings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.25%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Rise in Cases Inspires Turbulence
A jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: U.S. Economy Gains Momentum
Stocks moved higher last week on news of more Federal Reserve market support and diminished concerns that new COVID-19 cases might lead to another economic shutdown.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.04%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets React to Fed Report
Investor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
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Weekly Market Insights: Recovery Optimism Builds
A positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 6.81%, while...
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Weekly Market Insights: Optimism for Re-Opening
The shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced...
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Weekly Market Insights: Markets React to Positive Outlook
Upbeat comments by the Federal Reserve Chairman and more signs of an economic turnaround combined to help fuel a powerful rally in the stock market last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.29%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreMONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | May 2020
US Markets Stocks rebounded sharply in April, fueled by a flattening pandemic curve and positive results from a clinical trial investigating a treatment for the virus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which dropped 14 percent in March...
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FAQs about 2020 stimulus checks
Are you eligible for a stimulus check from the Treasury Department?As of Friday, April 24, the Internal Revenue Service said it had issued 88 million payments to individuals across the country. It plans to send out more than 150...
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Weekly Market Insights: Economic Normalization Near?
Stock prices ended the week slightly lower, despite news of positive results from a test trial of a COVID-19 drug treatment and several states easing their economic lockdowns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.22%, while the...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | February 2020
US Markets Stock prices were mixed in January as prices surged, thanks to strong economic news, only to retreat sharply in the second half due to concerns of the potential economic impact of the coronavirus. The Dow Jones Industrial...
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THE SECURE ACT
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement savings law in recent years. While the new rules don’t appear to amount to a massive...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | January 2020
US Markets Riding a wave of trade optimism and solid economic data, stocks notched solid gains in December, capping off an exceptional year for the equity markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.74 percent, while the Standard...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | December 2019
US Markets Stocks notched solid gains in November, thanks to solid economic data, improving trade sentiment, and upside earnings surprises. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 3.72 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | November 2019
US Markets Following an early-month stumble, stocks rallied in October on news of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations as well as a solid kickoff to earnings season. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 0.48 percent, while...
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A Key Financial Lesson Your Kids or Grandkids Can Learn From Halloween
According to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, U.S. consumers plan to spend $3.2 billion on costumes, $2.6 billion on candy, $2.7 billion on decorations and $390 million on...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | September 2019
US Markets Stock prices choked in August as concerns about an economic slowdown and global trade tensions proved more powerful than upbeat news about the American consumer. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.72 percent, while...
Read MoreBest Mortgage Rates Based on In-Depth Reviews
My first base as a Financial Officer in the United States Air Force was at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. That was also where my wife (expecting our first child) and I purchased our first home together. Similar to a lot of my...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | August 2019
US Markets Stocks raced to new highs in July, propelled by an expected cut in interest rates and better-than-expected corporate earnings. Despite a sharp sell-off on the final day of the month, the Dow Jones Industrial Average tacked...
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A Cheat Sheet for Sending Your Kid to College
College marks a great milestone in a child’s life. It may be the first time he or she will live away from home. Dropping off your child at college may be an experience loaded with emotions, so here are a few tips for a smoother...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | June 2019
US Markets Investors’ hope of an imminent trade deal with China was shattered in May, driving stocks lower and increasing market volatility. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 6.69 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | May 2019
US Markets Stocks extended their rally this year on the heels of reinvigorated economic strength and better-than-expected corporate earnings, setting record highs in April. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.56 percent, while...
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The Ins & Outs of 529 Plans
Last week, I posted a blog about the ABCs of Education Investing. I know paying for your child's education may be the furthest from you mind as you approach summer, but needless to say it is NEVER too early to prepare and strategize....
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The ABCs of Education Investing
With school almost out for the summer in most of the country, you may not be thinking about how best to prepare for your child's future college expenses, but you should. Now is a good time to sharpen one’s pencil for a few...
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MONTHLY MARKET INSIGHTS | April 2019
US Markets Stock prices finished the month higher despite a volatile domestic bond market and several poor economic reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.05 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.79...
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Mortgages in Retirement
Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the...
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Does Your Child Need To File An Income Tax Return?
As parents, we encourage our children to work so they can learn important values about work and independence. At what point, if at all, do children need to file an income tax return for the money they earn? The IRS does not exempt...
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And The Executor Is...
In her will, American businesswoman Leona Helmsley left $12 million in a trust fund to her dog Trouble. Her four executors were responsible for seeing that her wishes were carried out. In the years after her death, they dealt with...
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A Home Insurance Claim: To File Or Not To File
Insurance is meant to protect you against financial loss. But is it really meant to protect you from any and all financial loss? When it comes to filing a loss claim on your home insurance, there may be times when not filing may be the...
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Monthly Market Insight - March 2019
US Markets Stocks rallied on growing optimism that a trade agreement between the U.S. and China may be imminent as well as news that the Fed has paused any further interest rate hikes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led for the month...
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Tax Deductions You Won't Believe
While Americans are entitled to take every legitimate deduction to manage their taxes, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) places limits on your creativity. Here are some examples of deductions from the IRS that were permitted and some...
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Red Flags for Tax Auditors
No one wants to see an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) auditor show up at his or her door. The IRS can’t audit every American’s tax return, so it relies on guidelines to select the ones most deserving of its attention. Here...
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Monthly Market Insight - February 2019
US Markets A change in tone by the Federal Reserve and a solid start to earnings season sparked a stunning reversal in investor sentiment and ignited a sharp rally to begin the new year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 7.2...
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What The New Tax Bill Means For You
The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act represents “the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years.”1 For millions of Americans and businesses it means an altered financial and investment landscape...
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Coping With the Shutdown
Right now, many households across the country are contending with the financial pressures resulting from the partial federal government shutdown. About 800,000 federal workers have been furloughed, and about 4 million government...
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Investing in your Health Savings Account
Health savings accounts (HSA) are one of the few investment vehicles that are available that are triple tax advantaged. This means that when you earn money today, it is not taxed. It grows inside the HSA tax free, and when you take it...
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Getting A Mortgage In Retirement
It’s not so uncommon when you hear someone who retired wanting to pack up their things and move. While it can be an exhilarating time, it can also be rather difficult, especially if their planning on buying a new house altogether...
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Monthly Market Insight - January 2019
US Markets A steep drop in investor sentiment, exacerbated by programmatic selling, sent stocks lower in December, resulting in deep losses across the major market indices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 8.7 percent, and the...
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Financial Goals for 2019
2018 was an up-and-down year for many Americans. The stock market boomed, and then it busted. No one knows what is on the horizon for 2019, but it doesn't hurt to set goals. Here are some financial goals that could help you get off to...
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Stock Market & Economy: What's Ahead in 2019
Since 2008, stocks have rewarded investors with solid returns. Can equity investors count on a repeat of recent history? Well, precise predictions about the market are notoriously difficult to distinguish from luck, and very easy to...
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2018 Year End Contribution Reminders
Tax season comes quickly after the year comes to a close. In 2018, a few changes have occurred due to legislation that was created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. One of the main changes was a lowering of tax rates and a near...
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What You Should Know About 2018 Qualified Charitable Distributions
You have until December 31 to do a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) for 2018. This is an effective tax strategy that many individuals are overlooking. A QCD is worth considering if you are donating to charitable organizations...
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Long Term Care Planning Could Save Your Retirement
Yes, saving for retirement and planning for income is important but so is planning for the unexpected. It is incredibly easy to get caught up in the present and not think about how much one needs to take care of themselves in the...
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Retirement Planning & Holiday Spending
You've spent the better part of your working years planning for your comfortable retirement. As you celebrated your last official day of work, you already had a pretty good idea of the value of your financial investment portfolio and...
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2019: Contribute More Toward Your Retirement
Planning for retirement will be easier for those contributing to in 2019! Recent changes to a list of savings accounts are going to yield higher returns for savers in the new year. You will be able to take advantage of...
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Monthly Market Insight - November 2018
US Markets Stock prices took investors on a volatile ride in October as interest rates, global economic health concerns, and a smattering of disappointing corporate earnings reports dominated trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
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Medicare Fall Open Enrollment Ends Soon
Time is almost up for this years Medicare Open Enrollment period. You have until the 7th of December to modify your existing Medicare plans. In this period you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Part D drug plan. Any...
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Your Social Security Benefits Get A Boost
Some seniors are dependent on their Social Security benefits, but the majority of your retirement income may be derived from other sources. While your Social Security income may not be your primary source of income in retirement, you...
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Retirement Should Not Scare Women
Halloween may be an appropriate time for a good scare, we should limit unwanted surprises in retirement! Generalizations may not necessarily reflect your individual circumstance although there are fact-based reasons why the average...
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October is National Financial Planning Month
You have worked hard for your money, because you have a bigger goal than just paying the monthly expenses. You have a long term goal that is important to you. For some, that goal is to be able to retire comfortably, while others have...
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Retirement Planning Mistakes To Avoid
Retirement should be a time of rest, relaxation, and play. It should be about focusing on those pursuits that you wanted to do when you were younger, but you have yet to cross them off of your bucket list. Failing to plan for a...
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Monthly Market Insight - October 2018
US Markets Stock prices turned in a mixed performance for September as large-cap issues trended higher and trade talks progressed. Meanwhile, technology stocks struggled, pulling the NASDAQ Composite down. The Dow Jones Industrials...
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Passing Your Estate to Imperfect Heirs
When planning one’s last will and testament, one always hopes that the people they will be passing on their hard-earned wealth to will be responsible enough to handle it well and if possible, carry on their legacy. This is a hope...
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Life Insurance, It's Not For You!
Life insurance is one of those things that many people prefer to avoid thinking about because it often conjures up dark images. Many people are jarred into realizing the importance of buying life insurance after a close friend or...
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Start Your Year End Planning Now
It may seem as if the end of the year is very far away and that there is no need to start making end of the year financial plans as of yet. However, the reality is that the end of the year, and the activities which surround it are busy...
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The Executive Order on Retirement Savings
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday, August 31, that proposes asking for reviews on changing certain rules for tax-deferred retirement savings such as 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts, or IRAs. Trump...
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Monthly Market Insight - September 2018
US Markets Strong corporate earnings and ongoing trade talks propelled stocks higher in August, as investors largely ignored economic events overseas. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 2.16 percent, while the Standard &...
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Charitable Giving And Retirement
The average individual can spend less during their retirement due to a budget. One exception can be giving to charitable causes. A study by the WPI or the Women's Philanthropy Institute looked at the way households in America spent...
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Retire Early, Tap Your 401k Early... Penalty?
The way we work and save for retirement has changed and the old rules no longer apply to every individual's situation. There are many professionals with the resources to retire early, but continue working until retirement age just to...
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Top 5 Things You Could Spend Less On In Retirement
In retirement it’s not always about the money you have, it’s about how much you are spending. As you prepare or revise your retirement plan, one of the most important steps that you can take is to ensure that your projected...
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One Basket, All Eggs. Risky!
Achieving a high income and net worth is half the battle in the quest for financial security. The other half is trying to keep and grow your assets once you have them. While this latter half is perhaps a nice problem to have, it has...
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Procrastinating; The Cost To Your Retirement
If you are like many other hardworking adults, you may find yourself periodically dreaming about what life will be like after you leave the workforce and enter retirement. Regardless of whether you plan to simply kick back and relax...
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Monthly Market Insight - August 2018
US Markets Stock prices moved higher in July, propelled by strong economic reports and robust corporate earnings while ignoring the woes of some high-profile tech names. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 4.71 percent....
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A 1035 Exchange, Know The Facts
A common problem faced by insurance and annuity holders relates to a need to upgrade to a better financial option without paying taxes on gains earned on the old policy. There are many legitimate reasons for wanting to upgrade. AAFMAA...
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Will Power: Should You Update Your Will and Estate Plan?
Everyone should have a will; it ensures that your loved ones will receive the assets you wish them to have in the event of your death. To be clear, a will is a legal document that states how you want your property to be distributed and...
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To Know The Road Ahead, Ask Those Coming Back
“To know the road ahead, ask those coming back” is the famous Chinese proverb although for this article it may be more fitting to say, to know the road ahead, ask those looking back. Everyone has different ideas of what it...
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How Bolt Financial Group Helps Clients
Know the Bolt difference. The purpose of this video is to explain how Bolt Financial Group helps individuals achieve their long-term goals. Reference below for key components on how we add value. After watching the video, if you have...
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The Affordable Care Act & Your Retirement
What is the status of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA)? High-end net worth “seniors” planning for retirement need to know. How will the changes in the Affordable Care Act impact your retirement?...
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Monthly Market Insight - July 2018
US Markets Markets were mixed in June amid more menacing trade tariff talk and a rising U.S. dollar. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.59 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.48 percent. The NASDAQ...
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Rising Interest Rates And Your Portfolio
Rising Interest Rates And Your Portfolio The reality is that rising interest rates will likely continue through 2018. This has been choreographed by the Fed Reserve for some time now, and even most of the talking heads on television...
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Bucket List Retirement Trips
Summer seems to be the time to travel and the best thing about retirement is that you finally have time to travel. Whether you want to see more of the United States or explore foreign lands, the following list will help you find the...
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Social Security Depletion Timeline
Social Security has been a hot button topic for political pundits for decades. Many younger Americans fear that by the time they get to retirement age, the program's funds will be so depleted that they will receive little, if any,...
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Don't Ruin Your Retirement This Summer
Few Americans have employers that save for their retirements automatically. Pensions are going the way of the dinosaur. Therefore, Americans are required largely to save for their own retirements. This means that it's important to make...
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Thinking About Downsizing in Retirement?
With the exception of those under 35 years of age, between 60 and 70 percent of the median household wealth in the US is tied up in home equity. Those within 10 years of retirement have about 40 percent of their net worth held outside...
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Monthly Market Insight - June 2018
US Markets Despite political drama in Italy and continuing trade friction, stocks posted their best monthly performance since January. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.05 percent while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up...
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What Keeps You Up At Night?
For millions of Americans, it's the question of how they will fund their healthcare expenses in retirement, according to a recent poll by Franklin Templeton. With the high costs of care, hospitalization, pharmaceuticals, and nursing...
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A Better Client Experience
Do you have a financial advisor? If so, how often do you speak to them? At Bolt Financial Group, we want you to be informed. Our goal is to create peace of mind for our clients so they have confidence in their plan and look forward to...
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Retirement & Healthcare: The Fight Is Yours To Win
When you think of retirement, you probably think of a relaxing lifestyle free from the stresses of a 40-hour workweek. Life could instead get more stressful due to rising health care costs, which is one of the most expensive...
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No Products for Sale at Bolt Financial Group
We build relationships and partner with people to help maximize their potential and help them achieve their goals.
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Financial Scams: How to Avoid Them in Retirement
Sadly, unscrupulous people often prey on the most vulnerable among us, and too often that means our senior citizens are targeted. Even worse, in some instances these abuses can go unreported. Perhaps because of embarrassment or fear...
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Separating Myths from Truths: The Story of Investing
Don't get tricked by the Wall Street bullies. Watch this quick educational video where we dispel some of the investing myths, so that you can pocket your wealth instead of the Wall Street bullies. If you're interested in learning more,...
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Finding Balance
You take one kid to soccer, another kid to gymnastics, respond to e-mails, knock out some homework, jump on a conference call, practice for a spelling test, take the dog for a walk, attempt to get a work-out, answer more e-mails, help...
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Do You Need A Coach?
A lot of people hire financial advisors in hopes the advisor will improve their investment returns, lower their taxes, or improve their income stream. As such, the advisor sees themselves as an investment guru, tax management expert,...
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Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Transitioning Out of The Military to Corporate America
Taking the leap, like any dive into the unknown, can be scary. Transitioning from a culture unified by integrity and service before self adds to the uncertainty of an industry built quite differently. I transitioned from active duty...
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Monthly Market Insights - April 2018
US Markets Trade jitters and growing concerns about big technology companies facing greater government regulation sent stocks on a volatile ride in March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.48 percent, while the Standard &...
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Family is Hard to Beat
An underlying question always seems to present itself when I’m at networking events or just out meeting new people – “Why Bolt Financial Group?”. Bolt doesn’t necessarily scream finance or banking in any...
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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement: The 5 Most Important Things to Consider
A common question I get asked is, "should pay off their mortgage before retirement?". Read further to discover 5 things to consider when deciding if you should get rid of that monthly payment.
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Mind Over Model
Checking the weather? Guess what—you’re using a model. While models can be useful for gaining insights that can help us make good decisions, they are inherently incomplete simplifications of reality. In investing, factor...
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4 Reasons for the Return of Market Volatility
Until early 2018, stocks were enjoying their longest period without a five percent pullback in nearly 90 years.1,2 But in early February, that calm came to a sudden and decisive end, as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell more...
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Bolt Financial Group Emerges to Provide Fee-Only Financial Planning in Worthington, OH.
Bolt Financial Group, a new financial planning firm co-founded by Shaun Carney and Nora Lamendola, is set to open this week in Worthington, Ohio. Their strategy is based on sixty years of Nobel Prize winning research, together forming...
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