Wealth Management

Publicly traded companies are required to report their financial performance to regulators and shareholders on a quarterly basis. Earnings season is the often-turbulent period when most companies disclose their successes and failures. U.S...

Economy In the Federal Reserve’s 2018 Q3 release of economic projections, voting FOMC members forecast additional tightening for 2019. The last update from June showed a levelling off for interest rate expectations for 2019. Since then, the Fed has moved twice (In July and recently in September) to lower its benchmark Fed Funds rate to 1.75 percent to 2...

As you move through different stages of life, you will face new and unique financial situations. Did you just get engaged? Perhaps you are wondering how you and your partner are going to manage your money together. Do you have children?..

Each year for its Retirement Confidence Survey, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) surveys 1,000 workers and 1,000 retirees to assess how confident they are in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement. Once again, in 2019, retirees expressed stronger confidence than workers: 82% of retirees reported feeling "very" or "somewhat" confident, compared with 67% of workers. A closer look at some of the survey results reveals various lessons today's workers can learn from current retirees. Current sources of retiree income Let's start with a breakdown of the percentage of retirees who said the following resources provide at least a minor source of income: Social Security: 88% Personal savings and investments: 69% Defined benefit/traditional pension plan: 64% Individual retirement account: 61% Workplace retirement savings plan: 54% Product that guarantees monthly income: 33% Work for pay: 25% Lesson 1: Don't count on work-related earnings Perhaps the most striking percentage is the last one, given that 74% of today's workers expect work-related earnings to be at least a minor source of income in retirement...

Economy As expected, the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee voted in favor to lower the Federal Funds rates by 25 basis points. Two members voted to leave rates unchanged, citing strengths within the labor market. The decision to lower the benchmark rate was framed by global developments and below-target inflation. While the Fed did leave open the possibility of an additional cut, Chairmen Powell stated that this was a mid-cycle adjustment rather than the beginning of a prolonged rate cutting cycle...

Most of us know by now that getting regular exercise and eating our veggies is good for us. We may prefer swimming over running, or broccoli to brussels sprouts, but like our preferences for improving personal health, we also make choices for the types of businesses we support through our investing habits. When it comes to investing, incorporating environmental, social, and governance-focused investments may be healthy for you and your portfolio. Environmental, socially responsible and governance (ESG) investing has evolved over time, with socially responsible investing (SRI) laying the groundwork...

Golf and owning a business are a lot alike. It takes hard work and dedicated practice to succeed. Those who reach higher levels usually have a trusted team supporting them. Of course, golf and business can provide ample frustration too!..

Economy During the second quarter, global central banks shifted towards increased accommodation against rising geopolitical risks, prolonged trade disputes, slowing growth and below-target inflation. The Federal Reserve appears poised to cut the federal funds rate while the European Central Bank (ECB) has indicated a willingness to increase monetary stimulus. The potential for future rates cuts benefited fixed income assets as the market values of bonds carry an inverse relationship to the level with interest rates. Equity markets also rallied as central bankers signaled their collective intent to prolong the current economic expansion...

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam artist who is trying to steal money or personal information, you're not alone. According to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, older Americans lose an estimated $2.9 billion annually to fraud and exploitation, a number that is probably substantially underreported.  Most scams start with a call, an email, a text, or an official-looking letter that appears to be from a government agency or a legitimate company...

Defensive investment strategies share a common goal — to help a portfolio better weather an economic downturn and/or bouts of market volatility. But there are some key differences, including the specific criteria by which particular stocks are selected. If you are nearing retirement or just have a more conservative risk tolerance, one of these defensive strategies may help you manage risk while maintaining a robust equity portfolio. Tilt toward value Growth and value are opposite investment styles that tend to perform differently under different market conditions...