Big earnings week. 4th quarter earnings are shaping up to be weaker than expected. This week is a big one as many of the mega cap names are scheduled to report. The underlying concern? If earnings continue to weaken with U.S. equity markets at already elevated valuations, it might lead to additional weakness in stock Read More
Today’s inflationary economy is putting the spotlight on an all-too-common issue: families often live at the very edge of their financial means. One unexpected expense can be all it takes to tip the household budget scales. As we have all learned over the past few years, there will always be external factors that impact our Read More
Inflation update. Inflation data continues to point towards further easing, particularly on goods as customers cut back on the ‘stuff’ they purchase. Consumption of services remains strong. The slowing inflation data is a promising sign that price pressures are abating. The abatement reasons are twofold – resolutions to supply chain kinks and the slowing of Read More
Fed policy ‘roadmap’. As the market expected, the Federal Reserve increased rates by .75% at their most recent meeting. The consensus is that they will begin to slow down future increases with an expected .50% hike in December. From there, rate hikes are likewise projected to move down towards more traditional .25% bumps. The Fed’s Read More
The housing market is a sector of the U.S. economy that affects everyone. We all need a place to live. Whether you are a homeowner, a renter, or someone currently caught in the middle, what is going on in the housing world is likely shaping your financial plans. It may be putting the squeeze on Read More
The markets rebound. The markets have finally had a good month, as the previous two were quite ugly. The rebound we have been experiencing can likely be traced to the hopes of a Fed pivot away from rising interest rates by year end. A narrative is taking hold that inflation may have finally peaked, leaving Read More
Federal Reserve and interest rates. A hawkish mentality has entrenched itself amongst the powers that be at the Federal Reserve. The commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials (i.e. continued big rate hikes to deal with inflation) may be laying it on a bit thick. In reality, they may be overselling their Read More
Jerome Powell resets expectations. When Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell spoke at the annual Jackson Hole Symposium, he let the world know that inflation is the Fed’s number one concern. He went so far as to explicitly state that the remedy to address inflation will lead to “some pain to households and businesses.” The comments did not Read More
In Part 2 of this blog series, let’s cover those regular estate planning to-do’s. By “regular”, we’re talking about those items that need to be reviewed, updated, and checked on from time to time. An annual check-in is ideal. Add it to your New Year resolutions list perhaps. Once you have your estate plan groundwork Read More
Interest rate hikes. The Fed is showing its biggest concern in the short run is fighting inflation. Understandable, as the prospect of continued uncontrolled price increases would strike fear in most any economist. Jay Powell and Co. are certainly showing they are going to address inflation now, with a 0.75 percentage point rate raise this week Read More
