Homeownership has long been viewed as a major component of the American Dream, complete with the image of a quaint house, white picket fence and a friendly neighborhood. Renting tends to play second fiddle in our society, being seen as a temporary housing solution while people save for a down payment or otherwise financially prepare Read More
Posts By: Matt McKay
What’s moving the markets?
Infrastructure deal. The bipartisan infrastructure deal has come out and is already in jeopardy of failing. The $1 trillion plan has caused much handwringing and negotiating between Republicans and Democrats over funding and spending levels. The Biden administration spent the last few days busily working to walk back the President’s suggestion that he would not sign the bipartisan Read More
Carpe diem: Keeping our celebratory spending urges in check
After more than a year of pandemic chaos, Americans are well on their way to getting back out into the world. Letting loose, seeing old friends, taking big trips, living it up. All those long months of worry have left us with a carpe diem attitude toward life in general. Attempting to make up for Read More
What’s moving the markets?
Q1 earnings recap. Now that 95% of the S&P 500 have reported 1st quarter earnings, it’s clear that corporate America is well on its way to a historically strong recovery. Not only are more companies beating their earnings but, as we said before, it’s by a historic margin. Yet the markets have stayed put for the month, with the Read More
Elephant in the room: Talking about debt with your significant other
Bringing up debt in any conversation can feel like a social taboo. Oddly enough, the more intimate the relationship, the more awkward debt discussions can be. We worry we will suddenly be viewed in a negative light: “What if they judge me? What if they start lecturing me? What if my financial burden creates this Read More
What’s moving the markets?
Earnings, earnings, earnings. Earnings expectations were high heading into this reporting season, and companies have not disappointed. Year-over-year comparable earnings were easy to beat but uncertainty still lingered. The markets are absorbing the positive earnings news with relief and trending higher. So far 84.6% of S&P 500 reporting companies have beaten their EPS estimates. More Read More
Risk vs. reward: Finding your comfort level as an investor
People tend to harbor this notion that investing is all about stock picking, industry monitoring, and company analysis. What is so often left out is the human emotion side, which is arguably the biggest determinant of success in the investment world. Your investing comfort level is the key to productively putting your money to work Read More
What’s moving the markets?
Interest rates march higher. Rates have continued their upward climb through March, a trend leading to sustained volatility in investment markets. Investors keep adjusting their portfolios to account for the rising rate environment. Want to dive into the nitty gritty? Find out why the recently rising rate on the U.S. 10-year note is adding to market jitters here. Ultimately, Read More
Wants and needs: How pandemic life has taught us what matters
Living in a pandemic has highlighted a stark reality. Financial stability is integral to our overall wellness. Money impacts our personal relationships, stress levels, and ability to interact with the rest of the world. When COVID-19 hit, our days were turned upside down. Those creature comforts we often took for granted – visiting friends and Read More
What’s moving the markets?
Moving on up. Rates that is. Rates are on the rise. While not the end of the world, this shift has certainly reintroduced volatility into the investment market. Everyone is working to adjust their portfolios for a future with higher inflation, growth and interest rates. This rotation has hit the high-flying tech sector, which has been the Read More