The stock market is in essence a cyclical marketplace. Share prices go up and down as investors decide whether to buy or sell. Some years moods are bullish, others bearish. The entire U.S. economy goes through cycles, between recessions and economic booms. Of course, what goes on in the world around us in any given Read More
Federal Reserve and interest rates. The Federal Reserve has changed the way it seeks to achieve its dual mandate of full employment and stable prices. The revision essentially translates to lower interest rates for longer than previously expected. The impact? Not much in the lives of most people. Potentially quite a profound one on inflation levels, Read More
Historic Q2 GDP drop. The GDP numbers for the second quarter showed a historically unprecedented decrease of 32.9%. Read more… Resurging COVID cases. A massive uptick in U.S. coronavirus infections is causing the economic bounce from the depths of the shutdown to stall. It’s looking to be a rough second half of the year for the Read More
A “black swan” is a completely unanticipated event which, usually, has a resoundingly negative impact on the economy. These events take everyone by surprise, even the smart folks who spend their days constantly analyzing, monitoring, and crunching the financial numbers. Forecasting out the short and long term ramifications of black swans can be a nearly Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
