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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 …

  • retirement planning in age of longevity

Retirement Planning In The Age Of Longevity

2025-03-26T20:55:54-05:00July 18, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , , |

Retirement Planning in the Age of Longevity

Over the past 75 years, advancements in healthcare and healthier lifestyles have significantly increased the average American life expectancy. In 1950, the average life expectancy was 68 years, but by 2022 it had risen to 77.5 years. This increase in longevity means retirement planning has become more complex, as the retirement phase now has the potential to span decades. Longer life expectancies bring the challenge of ensuring savings last throughout an extended retirement, alongside rising inflation and healthcare costs.

The longer retirement period increases the risk of outliving savings, necessitating larger savings pools and more careful planning. Inflation further complicates retirement by eroding purchasing power, while healthcare costs often escalate with age, adding pressure to finances. To successfully navigate these challenges, retirees need a strategy that incorporates early and consistent saving, diversified investments, and multiple streams of income, such as Social Security, pensions, 401(k)s, …

  • Active Management: A FIDUCIARY STRATEGY FOR LONG-TERM ASSET PROTECTION

Active Management

2025-03-25T10:09:34-05:00July 18, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: , , |

Active Management: A Fiduciary Strategy For Long Term Asset Protection

Active management is a key investment strategy aimed at preserving and enhancing assets over time. Unlike passive management, which tracks a market index, it involves portfolio managers making specific, dynamic investment decisions to meet financial goals. This hands-on approach allows managers to adapt to market fluctuations, identify growth opportunities, and potentially reduce risks, all while maintaining a strong fiduciary commitment to act in clients’ best interests.

The core of active management lies in its ability to mitigate downside risks, especially in volatile markets. Active managers can adjust strategies in real-time, using tactics like asset reallocation, derivatives, or stop-losses to protect portfolios from significant losses. For instance, during the 2008 financial crisis or the 2020 COVID-19 market downturn, active managers may have reduced exposure to at-risk sectors or shifted into defensive areas, while passive strategies simply followed market declines. This flexibility makes …

The Great Resignation

2022-03-07T22:27:35-06:00March 6, 2022|Categories: Resource Center, Weekly Update|Tags: , , , , |

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.
  • Two People Reviewing Finances, Money Tips for Better Relationships

Money Tips for Better Relationships

2025-03-25T12:33:26-05:00May 26, 2021|Categories: Resource Center, Weekly Update|Tags: , , , , |

Money Tips for Better Relationships

Financial disagreements are a significant challenge in marriages, with research indicating that 70% of married millennial couples argue about money more than any other topic. These disputes can contribute to marital strain and even dissolution. However, couples who approach their finances collaboratively can often overcome these challenges and strengthen their relationship.

Effective communication is crucial for navigating financial discussions. Couples should openly talk about their financial goals, habits, and past experiences, as these factors often shape how each partner views money. Setting shared goals and creating a mutually agreed-upon budget can provide clarity and foster unity. Additionally, regularly meeting to review financial matters, establishing a clear threshold for big purchases, and working together on decisions can minimize conflict and ensure both partners feel involved.

Trust, honesty, and a willingness to update financial plans as life changes are also vital. Couples may benefit from seeking the advice of …

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