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Fed Attempts to Calm Markets
Jerome Powell is a man of his word. And the financial markets believe that's an excellent trait for the Federal Reserve Chairman.Powell told the financial markets to prepare for a 25 basis points increase in short-term rates in early...
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Are Interest Rates Heading Lower?
As the financial markets sort through the banking sector's issues, speculators have adjusted their outlook for interest rates for 2023 and beyond.In the first table, you can see that on March 3, speculators were expecting the Federal...
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Fascinating Financial Facts | March 2023
March 2023 People who spend money on experiences, such as vacations or concerts, tend to be happier than those who spend money on material possessions. There is a sense of lasting satisfaction that experiences bring and material...
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Social Security 2023 COLA Increase Kicks In
While you probably already found your notice in the mail, you may be curious about the COLA increase happening for Social Security recipients in the New Year. Starting in January, beneficiaries will see an 8.7% increase to help offset...
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Oil Prices Make a Round Trip in 2022
The financial markets are complex systems. They can move from one event to the next so quickly that it's hard to know what’s driving prices.For example, look at the roundtrip oil prices in the chart below.Oil prices surged to...
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Discussing Finances Over the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us; from story time with sorely missed grandchildren to laughter with friends and family over long-cherished memories, there's little doubt that "the most wonderful time of the year" has arrived.For my family...
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Outlook 2023: CEOs Are Cautious
It appears that America’s corporate leaders are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.Almost half of S&P 500 CEOs in second-quarter conference calls pointed to “recession” as a potential headwind in 2023....
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Is the Fed Ready to Pause?
Over the years, the Fed has followed a similar pattern with interest rates. It raises interest rates, then pauses, so it can see how the economy is adjusting to the higher rates. The chart below shows the Fed’s pattern with...
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October CPI: Game Changer or Head Fake?
October's Consumer Price Index (CPI) had some encouraging news for investors, but others asked, "Is this a game changer or another head fake?" While it's a bit early to know the answer, it was great to see that inflation rose at a...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
So the IRS has released the New Limits for 2023 for contributions to your retirement accounts. Watch this three-minute video to find out what those limits are and how they'll affect you.
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Ahead of the Midterms 2022
The midterm elections are underway. In many states, ballots have been delivered and, in several cases, already returned by Americans exercising one of the most sacred of their Constitutional rights.Election Day is always the Tuesday...
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Fascinating Financial Facts | September 2022
September 2022 Please reach out via phone or by replying to this email if you have questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment.FACT: The S&P 500 gained +9.2% (total return) in July 2022 but remains down 12.6% YTD...
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The CEO's Unofficial Q2 Buzzword
You may have heard the expression, “You can talk yourself into just about anything.” If that’s true, corporate America better watch out.As publicly traded companies report quarterly sales and earnings, they often...
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These Months are More Volatile Than Others
We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...
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1% Moves in S&P 500
If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money.The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...
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Important Details on Student Loan Relief
What Do We Know So Far About Student Debt Relief?
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