Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary March 18, 2019

The S&P 500 rebounded 2.9% after last week’s decline as positive sentiment overcame a number of mildly negative economic reports and continued uncertainty regarding trade. The global MSCI ACWI shed 2.1%. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index climbed 0.7%.

News

Why You Need Disability Coverage

A group policy from work probably won’t replace enough of your income to meet your needs. You may think that your financial life is in perfect order. You have a solid plan to reach your goals, including maxed-out retirement savings and enough life insurance to protect your family in case you die while you’re still earning an income. But it’s a safe bet you’ve left one gaping hole that could jeopardize all of your planning: the risk that you will become disabled and unable to work.

News

Ensure you get a tax deduction for that charitable donation

As they say, good deeds are their own reward. Even so, there’s nothing wrong with taking a tax deduction for a charitable donation. Not surprisingly, the end of the year — a time when people like to wrap up loose ends — is an especially popular time for giving. December takes the top spot for giving, with 18 percent of donations occurring in that month.

News

How to Retire Comfortably While You’re Still in Debt

Retirement plans often involve traveling, socializing and feeling financially secure, but they don’t usually include paying off debt. However, the reality is that many Americans close to retirement will carry debt into their golden years and must plan accordingly.

News

Think you’re not rich enough to need a will? Think again

Does everyone need a will? And if so, when is the time to get one? “Many people think that they don’t need a will … since they don’t have an ‘estate,’” said certified financial planner Scott A. Bishop, partner with STA Wealth Management. “That is just wrong.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary March 11, 2019

The S&P 500 finally experienced a meaningful decline after posting gains nearly every week this year. The index dropped 2.2% last week.

Monthly Newsletters

Retirement Fund Catch-Up Contributions: An Ace Up Your Sleeve for the Long Game

For many of us, retirement planning is a persistent boogie man in the back of our minds. The statistics on people’s lack of retirement preparation are staggering, and the official retirement age seems to increase by the minute. Life expectancy is getting longer, and resources seem to be getting scarcer. Any hand that savers and wage-earners play at this point in life seems like a bet against the house, sure to lose.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary March 4, 2019

The S&P 500 used another good-news Friday to move into positive territory for the ninth week out of the last 10. Last week, the popular measure of domestic stock performance increased another 0.5%.

Blog

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Changed Things More Than You Realize

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made a lot of changes. It was the single largest tax reform bill in nearly 30 years. However, the impact of the TCJA might be a lot broader than most realize. Almost every small business owner in the country is impacted by a new tax deduction called 199A.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary February 25, 2019

The S&P 500 added another 0.7% to its impressive gains since late December. Optimism about a trade agreement between the U.S. and China continued to support markets. While trade negotiations between the U.S. and China remain the key focus, a number of other key events and data releases are likely to move markets this week.

Insights