What’s moving the markets?

Posted by & filed under Investments, Personal finance.

Reopening and resurgence. The U.S. is struggling with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in several states as the country reopens for business. Texas, Florida and Arizona are being hit especially hard, forcing the states to recommit to mitigation practices to try and stem the rising tide of positive cases. Two unemployment scenarios. Many companies were able Read More

Higher education: A pandemic induced financial scramble

Posted by & filed under Personal finance.

Higher education is facing a crisis. Before the pandemic, new college grads were struggling to find consistent incomes to pay back massive student loan debts. Entry level employment was in jeopardy, making landing on solid financial footing post-graduation increasingly difficult. The inherent value of obtaining a college diploma was being questioned. Meanwhile, this shifting landscape Read More

What’s moving the markets?

Posted by & filed under Investments, Personal finance.

The Fed is winning. The Federal Reserve’s unparalleled stimulus measures have, in essence, placed a floor under the markets barring any additional unexpected shocks to the system. Much of the stresses of equity and bond market collapse brought on by the COVID-19 shutdown during February and March were successfully alleviated. Usually the earnings of a company and Read More

What’s moving the markets?

Posted by & filed under Investments, Personal finance.

Market vs. economy. The country seems to be in the thick of a tug-of-war battle as May approaches. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the largest dislocation of jobs, economic activity and consumer demand in generations. Oil prices went negative a week ago. Other commodities are falling from lackluster demand. The food supply is staring at Read More

The “sandwich generation”: Financially stuck in the middle

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Personal finance, Retirement.

The “sandwich generation”: Those Americans thrust into the precarious position of financially juggling young children and elderly parents. Lots of older Millennials and Gen-Xers are finding themselves in this bucket, with plenty more being thrown into the mix each year. Grappling with the daily responsibility tug-of-war can be a real emotional struggle. Figuring out how Read More

COVID-19: Where we are and where we are headed

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Investments, Personal finance.

Unprecedented. A virtually nationwide lockdown to mitigate the ongoing spread of disease. The inability to be anywhere near one another for fear of transmitting the virus. The astronomically negative impact on our healthcare system. The gut punch to the U.S. economy and the global marketplace. Yes, most everything at this present moment is aptly described Read More

What’s moving the markets?

Posted by & filed under Investments, Personal finance.

Pandemic causes economic freefall. The markets are responding to the rippling effects caused by the continued spread of COVID-19. The broadening self-distancing and containment efforts of major global economies are having a profound impact on all levels of commerce. The economy has ground to a halt at the local, state and federal levels here in the Read More

COVID-19: Economic uncertainty and the emotional toll

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Personal finance.

How quickly things can change. The past few weeks have been unprecedented. The health crisis of COVID-19 has permeated our daily lives and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This abrupt transformation is creating drastic economic uncertainty. Investors are revaluing what the next 12-18 months look like for companies and their earnings. Most Read More

The tipping point: When hiring a financial advisor makes sense (and when it doesn’t)

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Investments, Personal finance.

People often waver on when to hire a financial advisor. Culling through the plethora of general financial and investment advice on Google may do the trick for years. Chatting with close friend and family circles can be helpful. Yet there still may be an underlying hesitation, fear, confusion, or lack of confidence on how to Read More

What’s moving the markets?

Posted by & filed under Investments.

Coronavirus hits the globe. Covid-19, the Coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China is now spreading throughout the world. The continued uncertainty is starting to materially infect the global economic system. The virus appears to be easily transmitted and governments are grappling with containment. Quarantines are in place. Travel to and from afflicted areas is prohibited. Throw in Read More