Don’t Watch The Markets Too Closely
One of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes is, “Remember that the stock market is a manic depressive.” What he’s suggesting is that stock prices can sometimes swing wildly from day to day in response to even minor news. One moment stocks can celebrate comments from a Fed official, and hours later, they can vilify the […]
Is the Bear Market Over?
“Is the bear market over?” That’s a question I’ve been asked a number of times in recent weeks. And my answer is the same, “Let’s give it a little time.” But people are quick to remind me that stocks are off to a good start in 2023, inflation appears to be trending lower, and the […]
SECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement. The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it’s a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, passed in 2019. […]
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 over $120 a barrel in the first half of 2022 on concerns over how […]
Warren Buffett on Contrarian Investing
You may have heard the phrase “contrarian investing,” but did you know that one of the most reliable contrary indicators is individual investors? Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year, they have been mostly correct in their bearish view. In the chart below, you can see that for […]
How You Can Purchase I Bonds Direct from the Treasury
With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for investments that keep pace with rising prices. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection and are backed by the U.S. government. It’s been big business. The Treasury sold more […]
Stubborn Inflation Tests Fed’s Resolve
Stubborn doesn’t seem like a strong enough word, but that’s how Fed officials are describing inflation. Inflation’s “stubbornness” has been on full display in recent weeks: First, the Producer Price Index (PPI) showed that costs remain high for producers of goods and services. Then in September’s more widely followed Consumer Price Index (CPI) high prices […]
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 other seasonal trends can also play a part. Investopedia found that institutions start preparing for year-end distributions around this […]
How SECURE 2.0 Might Change Retirement
The SECURE Act of 2019 represented the biggest update to retirement law in over a decade. Now, Congress is deliberating on what “SECURE 2.0” legislation might entail. In March, the House passed the Securing a Strong Retirement Act with a bipartisan 414-5 vote. The Senate is still weighing numerous proposals for their version, the Rise […]
3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market
It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current market downturn. Invest Your Excess Cash: If you have excess cash earmarked for a long-term goal (retirement or college, for example), […]