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Soft Jobs Data, Inflation on Deck, the Fed’s next move.

jmuch2024-09-09T10:01:03-05:00September 9, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, CPI, Fed, financial planning, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, PPI, retirement, risk management, wealth management|

The Weekly Update

Week of September 9th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as soft economic data rattled investors focused on the Fed’s next move with interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.93 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 4.25 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 5.77 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 2.91 percent.

Economic Data Unsettles Investors
The four-day trading week got off to a rough start as weak manufacturing data reawakened recessionary fears. All three major averages were down for the first session after the Labor Day holiday. For many, it was reminiscent of August 5, when stocks tumbled as recession worries unsettled investors.3

Attention shifted to Friday’s jobs report as stocks traded narrowly. Markets initially reacted positively to news that job growth rebounded slightly, and unemployment ticked down. However, selling pressure increased as the trading …

Stocks React To Key Data And Earnings

jmuch2024-09-03T09:21:29-05:00September 3, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, financial planning, financial strategy, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, risk management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of September 3rd, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

There were mixed results for stocks last week as upbeat economic data and a critical Q2 corporate report shaped the week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.24 percent. The Nasdaq Composite lagged, falling 0.92 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained 0.35 percent.

Key Economic Data
Markets began the week quiet as investors awaited Q2 earnings from Nvidia, the world’s most influential name in artificial intelligence.

The chipmaker–the second largest stock in the S&P 500 by market capitalization–dipped on the news, putting pressure on the Nasdaq and S&P 500. (The Nasdaq and S&P 500 are market-weighted averages, so larger companies have an outsized impact.)

Nvidia is mentioned to show its influence on the overall stock market. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase …

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

jmuch2025-03-26T08:02:42-05:00December 20, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago|

Started in 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.

Chicago has been home to many successful businesses that started small but grew into major players. FCB, an advertising agency founded in 1873, is known for global campaigns, including one that popularized orange juice. Basecamp, originally 37signals, started as a web design firm in 1999 and now supports over 3 million users with its project management platform. Crate & Barrel began with a trip to the Caribbean and grew into a leading retailer with 122 stores nationwide.

Some newer companies, like The Mom Project and KNTXT Group, are poised for big things. The Mom Project connects companies with parents seeking part-time work and recently secured significant funding. KNTXT Group uses virtual reality to help visualize homes and office buildings before they’re …

Boss Ladies of Chicago

jmuch2025-03-26T08:21:00-05:00September 12, 2019|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago|

Boss Ladies of 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.

Chicago, the third-largest city in the U.S., is home to an impressive concentration of women entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making waves across various industries. With its dynamic and gritty culture, the city has become a hub for female-led businesses. Here are six standout women who are leading the charge in Chicago’s entrepreneurial scene.

Jennifer Brandel is the founder of Hearken, a platform that allows journalists and the public to collaborate in creating relevant news stories. With a background in journalism, Brandel has worked with top organizations like Thoughtly Crew, Zebras Unite, and has freelanced for Vice and The …

See What’s Cooking with Max Lukawski

jmuch2025-03-26T08:55:40-05:00November 16, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago, taxes|

See What’s Cooking with Max Lukawski

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.

When asked about his idea of perfect happiness, Maxim shares that it’s simply spending a quiet night at home with his wife and a glass of wine. He confesses that his greatest fear is spiders, admitting it’s an irrational fear. Maxim also speaks candidly about his anxiety, acknowledging that he often struggles to balance being a good husband, dog dad, and excelling in his job. On the other hand, he dislikes dishonesty in others, as he prides himself on always being truthful.

Maxim greatly admires Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, for his mission to educate the world, believing it will shape a better future. His greatest extravagance …

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

jmuch2025-03-26T09:02:29-05:00September 7, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago, investing, wealth management|

The Proust Questionnaire Journey Continues with Christopher Much

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?

Maxim Lukawski, Director of Tax Services, enjoys financial planning because it blends data analysis with helping clients. He feels fulfilled when he sees the relief in clients’ eyes as they create a solid plan.

He views his greatest trait as tenacity, though his wife might call it stubbornness. He never gives up on tough tasks and pushes forward until he succeeds. Maxim values generosity in his friends. He believes it’s essential for being a good person.

Maxim admires Batman for his skills and humility, and Bruce Lee for his contributions to martial …

Urban Exploration

jmuch2025-03-26T09:11:39-05:00August 10, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago|

Urban Exploration: 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.

Urban exploration captures history through abandoned buildings and forgotten spaces. It preserves these remnants before time, decay, or demolition erases them. Through photography, we glimpse once-bustling places now silent and decaying.

St. Stephen’s Church was built in the early 1900s as a Christian Science Church. In the 1980s, a new congregation took over. By the late 1990s, financial struggles led to the church’s sale to a developer. The 1917 façade was preserved in the redevelopment to honor its history.

The Joliet Correctional Center operated from 1858 to 2002. It’s famous for its appearances in The …

Jonathon Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

jmuch2025-03-26T09:16:35-05:00July 12, 2018|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: chicago, wealth management|

Jonathan Much Takes the Proust Questionnaire

Jonathan 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.

The CTS Vice President values the balance between work, family, and martial arts training. He finds happiness in watching his daughters grow and spending time with his family. His biggest fear is not having enough time to visit every country he wants to see with his wife. He admires Bill Gates for his work as a technologist and philanthropist, and he strives to be loyal and respectful.

He also values loyalty and respect in others and dislikes being late. He treasures his grandparents’ wooden and glass bookcases, which are rare and irreplaceable. He doesn’t see any place better than Chicago and believes life without love would be unbearable.

In terms of talents, he’d like to …