The terms “stock market” and “economy” are often used interchangeably, but they are not one in the same. Perhaps this has never been more evident than over the past several months. The state of the economy, according to most measures, is bleak, with economic activity contracting, an unemployment rate of more than 10%, and an…
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After a surprisingly strong year for stocks in 2019, the new decade got off to a rough start for investors with one of the most abrupt and rapid stock market declines on record. In just 5 weeks, the S&P 500 declined by more than 33%. Overall, U.S. stocks ended the quarter down about 20%, while…
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There are several provisions in the CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, that provide flexibility to retirement account owners. In a previous blog post, we discuss the suspension of Minimum Distribution Requirements for 2020. But perhaps the most significant change to IRAs under the CARES Act was the establishment of…
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Global markets closed on Monday approximately 30% off of the highs reached just one month ago. The sell-off has been dramatic and breathtakingly swift. We have been getting some great questions from clients, so we thought we might share some of them along with our thoughts in the following Q&A. We hope you find it…
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Fueled by fears related to the Coronavirus and compounded by a drop in oil prices, the US stock market has exhibited extreme volatility over the past several weeks. While double digit corrections are not unusual, this has been an historically abrupt decline. When you hear about stock market risk, this is it. It is the…
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After a down year in 2018, the outlook for stocks in 2019 was not positive. The markets had experienced an abrupt decline in the last quarter of 2018, and many thought the bull market that had begun in March of 2009 was coming to an end. But those who stayed invested were rewarded with a…
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As the markets continue to move up and down and as the media continues to have a field day playing with our emotions, it is no wonder that many investors find themselves questioning what lies ahead. While no one can predict what the markets will do or how people will react to the news of…
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Stock prices change as new information becomes available. It’s not surprising that many investors believe that it is crucial to follow financial news carefully and then act quickly on news that might be relevant to their investments. While this may sound like a good idea, the reality is that you cannot expect to consistently improve…
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Doctors write prescriptions. Auto mechanics perform tune-ups. Lawyers prepare briefs. Financial advisors help you manage your money. Ultimately, it’s that simple. But like any other profession, we sometimes have a funny way of saying it. Following are a few of the most common terms related to money management. Assets Your assets sustain your financial being…
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In the hierarchy of tax-preferenced savings vehicles, the Health Savings Account (HSA) sits at the top. Unlike an IRA or 401K, an HSA offers a triple tax benefit: contributions to the account are tax-deductible, earnings grow tax-deferred and distributions are tax-free as long as they are used to pay for qualified health expenses. In contrast,…
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