An Investment Fiduciary

The Markets   A change in leadership.   Last week, investors were presented with a stew of economic and policy developments. These included the surprising announcement that the United States would “run” Venezuela, disappointing jobs data, signs of improved consumer optimism, and a flurry of new policy proposals. Investors weighed what it all means for financial markets, and stocks moved higher.   Here’s what happened:   Geopolitical tensions heightened . “The arrest and indic

The Markets   Lots of people are willing to predict what’s ahead.   If the past is prologue, few will be accurate. You don’t have to look far to find an example. In 2023, a majority of economists agreed recession was ahead. They were wrong. Tyler Cowen of Bloomberg explained:   “Last year at this time, 85 [percent] of economists in one poll predicted a recession this year — and that was an optimistic take compared to the 100 [percent] probability of a recession forecast two m

The Markets   What is the most important principle of investing?   People have different opinions, but these three tend to be at or near the top of the list:   Have a plan for reaching your financial goals. Hold a diversified portfolio that reflects your goals, circumstances, and risk tolerance. Keep a long-term perspective (a.k.a. avoid short-term noise, exercise long-term discipline).   2025 offered some wonderful opportunities for investors to practice that last one.   “It

Happy holidays!   Over the past year, financial markets reminded all of us that progress is rarely linear. As markets gyrated higher and lower, one truth remained constant – building wealth is the result of diversification, discipline, and thoughtful planning.   An important aspect of planning is the year-end review. If you haven’t yet taken steps to make sure your portfolio is well-positioned for 2026, here are some important things to consider as 2025 comes to a close:   Po

The Markets   Last week, the United States Federal Reserve (Fed) played “Would You Rather?”   Would You Rather? is a board game that presents players with classic dilemmas and asks which options would be more palatable to them. For example, a game card might ask, Would you rather:   ·         Be able to run on your hands or write with your feet? ·         Eat chocolate-flavored broccoli or broccoli-flavored chocolate? ·         Have the ability to see 10 minutes into the futu

The Markets   It’s beginning to look a lot like a rate cut…   A lot of information about the economy arrived last week. Some was delayed by the government shutdown. Some was right on time. Investors took a look and decided their holiday wish could come true. The Federal Reserve (Fed) might deliver a cut rate cut this week. Here’s a brief recap of the information that landed just in time for the Fed to consider it.   Inflation rose in line with expectations . From August to Se

The Markets   Uncertainty abounds.   Investors were skittish last week. Share prices jolted higher and lower amid concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) data center spending, upcoming Federal Reserve rate decisions, and the strength of consumer spending, reported Phil Serafino and Natalia Kniazhevich of Bloomberg. These issues will affect the future performance of companies, and investors are trying to anticipate what may be ahead.   In the third quarter, companies were

The Markets   It was another turbulent week.   Investors cheered the end of the shutdown, pondered strong third-quarter earnings, and questioned the artificial intelligence (AI) spending spree. Some reduced their exposure to risky assets, while others bought the dip. Here are a few of the factors that influenced markets last week.   Doubts about rates . The shutdown ended, but the White House said the official inflation and employment reports for October may never be released

The Markets   There were bearish undercurrents in the bullish sea.   While there are many reasons to be optimistic about the long-term prospects for U.S. stocks, investor concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) spending and the possibility of a market correction roiled markets last week.   “All eyes were on the parade of earnings reports from the technology behemoths this past week. But what grabbed the markets’ attention were the implications of their massive capital inv

The Markets   Like walking on cobblestones…   If you’ve ever walked down a road paved with cobblestones, you know the uneven surface can be challenging. Today, financial markets are paved with a variety of challenges and concerns. A recent survey from Charles Schwab found that its clients remain bullish; however, they have concerns about how the political landscape, market valuations, and geopolitical and macroeconomic issues will affect markets over the next three months. Th

The Markets   Stock markets celebrated, but bond markets were cautious.   Last week, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed that inflation for September was lower than economists had anticipated. Both headline and core inflation (the latter excludes volatile food and energy prices) rose 3.0 percent year over year.   “While the September figure is still a full percentage point above the Fed’s 2 [percent] target—and the highest level of inflation seen since January—it signals th

The Markets     Emotions were running high in financial markets.   You may recall the week before last ended with the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index falling more than two percent after a flare-up in the trade war between the United States and China. It marked the end of the longest streak of trading days without a move of one percent or more since 2020, wrote Connor Smith of Barron’s.   “On Monday, [stocks] bounced much of the way back after President Donald Trump said ove

The Markets     Filling the data void.   Ancient Greek Philosopher Aristotle theorized that nature abhors a void and fills it. Anyone who has ever cleared a garden patch and delayed planting understands the idea. Before long, the empty ground is teeming with opportunistic plants.   The government shutdown created a data void. Usually, the government delivers robust economic data that analysts and investors rely on to better understand where the American economy has been, wher

The Markets     It was a stellar quarter for investors.   The last three months have delivered stock market gains amid signs the economy...

The Markets     The economy is all right.   Last week, revised economic figures showed the United States economy grew faster from April...

The Markets   The Markets   The bulls were running.   Last week, investors rejoiced after the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee...

The Markets   What are your expectations for inflation?   Inflation occurs when the prices of goods and services increase. Last week, the...

The Markets Was the jobs report good news or bad news for the stock market?   In financial markets, sometimes bad news is good. It looked...

The Markets Will the bull market in stocks continue?   There is always a diversity of opinion about whether stocks are headed higher or...

The Markets Was inflation higher, lower, or steady?    Will the Fed lower rates?    Last week, in a much-anticipated speech, Federal...