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Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results Following Weak Economic Data
Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season. The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreFinancial Wellness Barometer
Did you know that according to a recent Betterment survey, 93% of employees say that it is at least somewhat important that their employer provides financial wellness benefits? More than 54% of employees would be enticed to change jobs...
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: New Year's Rally in Reply to Positive Economic News
A strong Friday rally triggered by fresh signs of moderating inflation pushed stocks into positive territory to begin the new year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.45%....
Read MoreHappy Holidays
Once again, the year has flown by! In these final weeks of the year, our thoughts often turn to the comforts of home and family — of sharing good cheer with neighbors, friends, and loved ones.In that spirit, I would like to wish...
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Outlook 2023: What's Next for Interest Rates?
What does the bond market know that the Fed isn’t telling us?Fed officials recently have said that short-term rates will need to climb to over 5 percent to bring inflation under control. But in the table below, you can see that...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Recession Concerns, Fed Talk Keep Stocks Cold
Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.08%. The...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Slide on Recession Concerns
Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreOutlook 2023: CEOs Are Cautious
It appears that America’s corporate leaders are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.Almost half of S&P 500 CEOs in second-quarter conference calls pointed to “recession” as a potential headwind in 2023....
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Easing on Rate Hikes and Job Numbers Cheer Markets
Stocks ended higher last week as investors navigated the crosscurrents of a potential easing in future rate hikes and continued strength in the labor market.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.24% higher, while the Standard &...
Read MoreIs the Fed Ready to Pause?
Over the years, the Fed has followed a similar pattern with interest rates. It raises interest rates, then pauses, so it can see how the economy is adjusting to the higher rates. The chart below shows the Fed’s pattern with...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed Talks Turkey on Lower Rates, Boosting Markets
Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving 2022
The warmth of the holiday meal beckons. Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones and observing gratitude.So, as you gather around the table, look around and give thanks for the family and friends surrounding you. Give...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Down Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday
The stock market edged lower last week as it digested a crosscurrent of conflicting economic data and contrasting comments from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.01%), while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Cooling Inflation Brings Market Gains
A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Slip After Powell Comments
Hawkish comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, following the announcement of another 75 basis points interest rate hike last week, cast a pall over financial markets, sending yields higher and stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Plenty of Treats for Wall Street This Week
Stocks overcame poor earnings results from some of America’s largest companies to post gains last week as investors cheered positive earnings surprises, easing inflation and a rebound in economic growth.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Volatility Reigns; Inflation Remains Unchecked.
Stocks were mixed last week amid wide intra- and inter-day price swings, as technology shares bore the brunt of the downdraft.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.15% for the week. Meanwhile, the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Boost Early in Week Keeps Markets Ahead
A powerful two-day stock rebound cemented a positive week for investors as a new trading month began.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.51%. The Nasdaq Composite index increased 0...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: U.S. and U.K. See Financial Turbulence
Rising recession fears and uncertainty in the bond and currency markets sent stocks to new 2022 lows last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.91%. The Nasdaq Composite...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fallout From Powell Comments Continues
Last week, Fed Chair Powell said the U.S. would not tame inflation without economic pain. This week heightened recession fears and sent stocks broadly lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4.00%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreThe CEO's Unofficial Q2 Buzzword
You may have heard the expression, “You can talk yourself into just about anything.” If that’s true, corporate America better watch out.As publicly traded companies report quarterly sales and earnings, they often...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: White Hot Inflation Report Alarms Investors
A hotter-than-expected inflation report sent stocks sharply lower last week as investors faced the prospect of more aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve for perhaps a longer period.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell...
Read MoreHelping Latinx Employees With Their Unique Retirement Needs
Celebrating #HispanicHeritageMonth - a time to honor the cultures, contributions, and lives of Hispanic and Latin Americans. We are vehttps://www.betterment...
Read MoreWhat is Happening with CPI and Inflation?
Believe me, everyone on Wall Street wants inflation to go away, or at least shrink back to below 2%, a level we enjoyed not so long ago.But Tuesday's Consumer Price Index report showed it might be some time before we see 2% again....
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Upbeat, Despite Gloomy Inflation Talk
In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Sag, Job Numbers Soar
The overhang of Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech the previous week carried over into last week as investors recalibrated stock valuations amid a seemingly more assertive monetary policy stance.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreThese Months are More Volatile Than Others
We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...
Read More'Smart Money' on Interest Rates
Have you ever heard the expression, "What's the smart money doing?""Smart money" is an expression that often refers to experts and suggests that well-informed people have a better perspective on current events and what actions to take....
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Have Warmer Week as Inflation Cools
An improving inflation outlook buoyed investors’ spirits last week, helping lift stocks to solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreThe Fed's Inflation Nowcasting Tool
Does waiting 30 days for a government report seem a bit unreasonable? After all, we live in a world of instant messages and real-time quotes. Why should we wait a whole month between updates on the Consumer Price Index to see what's...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Mixed Week For Markets; Jobs On The Rise
Stocks turned in a mixed performance last week as investors struggled with headlines suggesting that the Fed was unlikely to soon ease up on its current monetary tightening policy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while...
Read MoreFed keeps up inflation fight, but for how long?
With the federal funds rate range now set at 2.25% to 2.5%, matching its peak from the last hiking cycle and in line with the central bank’s long-term estimated neutral rate, the question becomes how much further the Fed will go.
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets Rally; Earnings Better Than Expected
Undaunted by another Fed rate hike and news of a contracting economy, the stock market rallied last week on better-than-expected corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 2.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets React to Dim Forecast, 2Q Reports
Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The...
Read More3 ways to prepare for down markets
Risk management is critical to portfolio construction, as shown by this year's choppy markets. Resilient funds have common traits, some of which can help manage risk, enhance outcomes, and more closely align funds with investor's objectives
Read MoreInflation, Interest Rates, & Indiana Jones
Stop me if you heard this already—roughly half the population wasn’t alive last time inflation was at this level.It’s true. According to IMDb.com, Raiders of the Lost Ark was the #1 movie at the box office the last...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Friday Rally Stems Week of Losses
A record-high inflation report, the prospects of a more aggressive Fed, and growing recession fears sent stocks lower– though losses were pared by a Friday rally.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the Standard...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally, Despite Recession Concerns
It's all about the "I" word !!
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed Rate Hike Triggers Market Dip
Stocks moved lower last week as recession fears deepened following a Fed hike in interest rates and weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.79%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.79%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreU.S. Outlook: time to pursue all weather investing
U.S. Outlook: time to pursue all weather investing
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Dip on Inflation Report
A higher-than-expected inflation report triggered a sell-off on Friday, leaving stocks in the red for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Economy Slows; Stocks Retreat
On Friday, a sharp sell-off sent major stock market indices into negative territory for the week, capping a volatile close to April.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.47%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 tumbled 3.27%....
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Powell Favors Quick Movement
Hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell overshadowed many largely positive earnings results, sending stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.86%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2.75%....
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed Signals More Aggressive Action on Interest Rates
Stock prices fell last week in response to the Fed’s plan to combat inflation, which staked out a more aggressive stance than investors had anticipated.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.28%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Confidence Grows In Resilient Economy
With growing confidence in the economy’s resilience, stocks posted another week of solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.31%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.79%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Ukrainian War Impacts Global Economy
Intensifying hostilities in Ukraine continued to unsettle markets, as investors grappled with the war’s impact on the global economies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2...
Read More3 views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict
3 views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict
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