Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Navigating the Markets - Buy Japan, Hold U.S., Sell Europe
Recent data suggests economic conditions in Europe are deteriorating, removing a key element of LPL Research’s positive view of the attractively valued developed international equities asset class. Previous U.S. dollar weakness and strong..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - The Growing List - And Politicization- of Brics and Friends
The BRIC acronym, without the “S,” was introduced in 2001 by the Goldman Sachs chief economist who highlighted the prodigious growth and investment prospects of Brazil, Russia, India, and China combined. In 2009, Russia advanced the BRIC...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - What is Normal?
Fixed income investors have had a rough time over the last few years. Normally a staid asset class, core bonds (as proxied by the Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index) have seen negative returns over the last two calendar years and could...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - Lessons Learned From the Grand Tetons
The Federal Reserve (Fed) often uses the Jackson Hole Symposium to announce tweaks in policy. Other central bank leaders are also worth watching as investors try to perceive where rates will be in the coming months. In this piece...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - Pullback Perspective
Volatility has returned right on queue as U.S. equity markets continue to pull back from overbought levels. The recent jump in interest rates has proven to be too much too fast for stocks to absorb, especially for the heavyweight...
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Navigating the Markets - How This U.S. Debt Downgrade is Different From 2011
It’s different this time. The four (or five) most dangerous words in investing. We’ll take the risk and use those words here as we break down the recent decision by credit rating agency Fitch to downgrade U.S. government debt to its...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - Key Earnings Season Takeaways
Earnings season is mostly behind us with about 85% of S&P 500 companies having reported second quarter results. The high level results aren’t particularly impressive, but if we peel back the onion, the numbers are encouraging. Results...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - A Cloudy Outlook Makes For Choppy Markets
The economy is doing better than expected, and the markets are responding accordingly. In this piece, we discuss some of the factors that cause us to think the Federal Reserve (Fed) hiked for the last time in this cycle as inflation is...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - (Still) Waiting on the Fed
The first half of the year probably didn’t go the way many fixed income investors had hoped, particularly after the historically awful year last year. It wasn’t a horrible start—more in line with recent years—but expectations were high...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - Earnings Need To Do Some Heavy Lifting To Keep This Rally Going
Earnings season is upon us as some banks and a small handful of other blue chip companies have already reported results for their quarters ending June 30. The results on the surface probably won’t offer much to write home about given...
Read MoreMidyear Outlook 2023: The Path Toward Stability
The insights in the Midyear Outlook will help position investors, along with guidance from their financial professional, to achieve their financial professional, to achieve their goals by providing guidance and actionable insights.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets- Capital Markets: The Essence of American Capitalism
The long dormant capital markets have recently begun showing signs of interest from institutional investors and deal makers anxious to bring companies to market. While activity remains muted at best, expectations are focused on 2024...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - New Bull May Need a Breather
We know it’s old news at this point, but on June 8, 2023, the S&P 500 entered a new bull market. After such a strong rally off the October lows, this young bull probably needs a breather. A look at the charts suggests this market may be due
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - FOMC Preview: Skip, Pause, or Hike?
The Federal Reserve (Fed) meets this week where it is largely expected to not raise short term interest rates for the first time in 15 months. However, Fed messaging has been all over the place in recent weeks. While some Fed officials...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - How Much of a Problem is Concentrated Leadership?
The mega-cap technology companies have powered the broad market higher this year. In fact, the 8.1% gain in the S&P 500 year to date has been driven entirely by six mega-cap stocks: Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), NVIDIA (NVDA), Meta...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets- Will History Rhyme? A Fed Pause Has Been Good For Fixed Income
Economists like to remind us there is no such thing as a free lunch. In investment parlance, that just means all investments carry risk—even cash. And the big risk with cash is reinvestment risk. That is, while short-term rates are...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - Earnings Update: Better Than Feared Undersells These Results
First quarter earnings season is nearly complete, and it has caused us to regret titling our earnings preview commentary on April 10, “Malaise Continues.” While the “better than feared” label fit the past couple of earnings seasons...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets - King Dollar Still Rules
Much has been written lately about the threats facing the reserve currency status enjoyed by theU.S. dollar. “De-dollarization” headlines appear on a near-daily basis, suggesting the dollar’s reign is in looming jeopardy, while counter...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets- Sell in May?
“Sell in May and go away” is probably the most widely cited stock market cliché in history. Here we take our annual look at this historical seasonal pattern which, as you will see below, has started to lose some of its street cred recently.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 24, 2023 DRAINING THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE ECONOMY
DRAINING THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE ECONOMY Investors use various analogies to describe the importance of small businesses in the domestic economy. Some refer to the small business sector as the backbone or the lifeblood of the economy.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 17, 2023 A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATEAdam Turnquist, CMT, Chief Technical StrategistThe commercial real estate (CRE) market has recently captured the spotlight after being flagged asthe next potential shoe to drop following last...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 10, 2023 EARNINGS PREVIEW—MALAISE CONTINUES
EARNINGS PREVIEW—MALAISE CONTINUES First quarter earnings season kicks off this week with some big banks reporting toward the end of the week.
Read MoreWhat's the Crew Been Up To?
It has been a busy end of 2022 and beginning of 2023 for the Silver Sail Crew. We continue to work hard for you, our clients, as we keepour eye on current trends and what is happening in our world. We also find it important to make...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 3, 2023 WHO IS RIGHT, FED OR MARKETS?
WHO IS RIGHT, FED OR MARKETS? LPL Research discusses the Fed and the financial markets' current outlook on rates, and who they believe is right.
Read MoreSilver Sail celebrates 13 years!
April 1st marks the 13th anniversary of Silver Sail Wealth Advisors. We are honored to serve you and work with you to make intentional decisions that can lead to a life of abundance based on financial confidence and independence....
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 27, 2023 THE 36-HOUR SVB COLLAPSE AND HIERARCHY OF BLAME
THE 36-HOUR SVB COLLAPSE AND HIERARCHY OF BLAME A lot has changed in the past few weeks, both in terms of expectations for interest rates and lost confidence in the health of the banking system as a result of the sharp rise in interest...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 20, 2023 WADING THROUGH FINANCIAL STABILITY RISKS: AN ACTION PLAN
WADING THROUGH FINANCIAL STABILITY RISKS: AN ACTION PLAN The Federal Reserve (Fed) has a history of raising short-term interest rates until something “breaks.” Considering the Fed has raised rates from a near-zero level to 4.75%...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 13, 2023 LATEST EQUITY ASSET ALLOCATION VIEWS
LATEST EQUITY ASSET ALLOCATION VIEWS Last week did not play out how we anticipated. This commentary is focused on our asset allocation views, but no doubt the Silicon Valley Bank saga will require more attention from investors...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 6, 2023 NO LANDING = NO SENSE
NO LANDING = NO SENSE Suggesting an economy makes “no landing” makes no sense. Analogies eventually break down, especially this one. Economic activity does not stop like an airplane eventually does, but rather the economy will settle into..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 17, 2023 DEBT CEILING PRIMER
DEBT CEILING PRIMER While concerns about the debt ceiling have been increasing, markets, businesses, and the economy are likely to see only minimal impact until we are days, or maybe a few weeks, from the “x date,” the date on which the...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 21, 2023 WHAT’S CHANGED AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN
WHAT’S CHANGED AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN Markets have adjusted to several changes this year. The pace at which inflation has cooled is slowing. The market has started to believe the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) “higher for longer” message.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 13, 2023 TRYING TO STICK THE LANDING
Navigating the Markets February 13, 2023 TRYING TO STICK THE LANDING LPL Research discusses the potential for a soft landing, the possible role China might play in that, and whether markets are pricing in too much good news.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 6, 2023 BRIGHTENING OUTLOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES
BRIGHTENING OUTLOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES Investors got more excited about international investing late last year. Some of that was chasing better returns, as developed international equities solidly beat the U.S. over the last...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 30, 2023 WILL JANUARY HIT THE TRIFECTA?
WILL JANUARY HIT THE TRIFECTA? The script has been flipped in 2023. Last year’s underperformers have turned into outperformers this year, driving the S&P 500 Index up over 5% this month. The pace and composition of the rally have left...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 23, 2023 A FEISTY BULL-BEAR DEBATE
A FEISTY BULL-BEAR DEBATE The latest episode of the debate between stock market bulls and bears has gotten more interesting. For every valid point from one side, there’s an equally compelling argument on the other side. Perhaps the best...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 17, 2023 Q4 EARNINGS PREVIEW: PESSIMISM MAY BE OVERDONE
Q4 EARNINGS PREVIEW: PESSIMISM MAY BE OVERDONE Fourth quarter earnings season is underway and probably won’t bring much good news. Lackluster global growth, ongoing profit margin pressures from inflation, and negative currency impacts...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 9, 2023 LESSONS LEARNED IN 2022
LESSONS LEARNED IN 2022 We believe accountability and modesty are among the keys to success in this business. In striving for those qualities, LPL Research has a tradition of starting off a new year with a lessons-learned commentary.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 3, 2023 2023 MARKET OUTLOOK
2023 MARKET OUTLOOK LPL 2022 was a dizzying year as markets and the global economy continued to find itself out of balance due to the still present aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the policy response to it.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets December 12, 2022 DECEMBER DOWN BUT NOT OUT
DECEMBER DOWN BUT NOT OUT Despite the S&P 500 Index starting December with five consecutive days of losses, we think December is down but not out. December often starts slow but historically has been a strong month. There are also some...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets December 5, 2022 RESILIENT CONSUMERS HAVE NOT SAVED RETAIL STOCKS
RESILIENT CONSUMERS HAVE NOT SAVED RETAIL STOCKSJeffrey Roach, PhD, Chief Economist, LPL FinancialThomas Shipp, CFA, Quantitative Equity Analyst, LPL FinancialEconomic and corporate data support the initial strong reads on holiday...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets November 21, 2022 PLAYBOOK FOR A FED PIVOT
PLAYBOOK FOR A FED PIVOT Recent inflation data has tempered expectations for future Federal Reserve tightening, including a potential peak in the terminal rate near 5.0% in May or June of 2023. While the market has welcomed this news...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets November 14, 2022 HIGH INFLATION AND RISING RATES SUPPORTED VALUE IN 2022
HIGH INFLATION AND RISING RATES SUPPORTED VALUE IN 2022 The growth vs. value debate has been pretty one-sided in 2022, with value outperforming growth for a sustained period for the first time in almost 15 years. However, the debate is...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets November 7, 2022 HOW MIDTERM ELECTIONS MAY MOVE MARKETS
HOW MIDTERM ELECTIONS MAY MOVE MARKETS Midterm elections are upon us, with Election Day on Tuesday. Republicans are strongly favored to win the House, and the Senate is roughly a tossup. We believe either outcome would be market-friendly...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 31, 2022 FEDERAL RESERVE PREVIEW: TRICK OR TREAT?
FEDERAL RESERVE PREVIEW: TRICK OR TREAT? With a series of important economic indicators suggesting the economy is declining and inflation is finally decelerating, albeit very slowly, markets are beginning to factor in that the Fed may...
Read MoreNavigating the Market October 24, 2022 THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RECESSIONS
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RECESSIONS If the U.S. economy enters a recession, the causes and potential outcome will be hotly debated. At LPL Research, our starting point is always looking at history.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 17, 2022 LOW BAR FOR EARNINGS SEASON
LOW BAR FOR EARNINGS SEASON Expectations are very low for this earnings season. The challenges are many, with intense cost pressures and slowing economic growth at the top of the list. The chorus of analysts and strategists calling for...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 10, 2022 POCKETS OF VULNERABILITIES
POCKETS OF VULNERABILITIES As Federal Reserve (Fed) officials continue to emphasize the Fed’s commitment towards restoring price stability, the dollar marches ever higher. Markets are currently pricing in another 75-basis point rate hike...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 3, 2022 MARKETS ON WATCH AS XI JINPING’S INFLUENCE TO BE TESTED IN OC
MARKETS ON WATCH AS XI JINPING’S INFLUENCE TO BE TESTED IN OCTOBERQuincy Krosby, Ph.D., Chief Global Strategist, LPL FinancialOn October 16, China will begin its 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing....
Read MoreNavigating the Markets September 26, 2022 TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER YIELDS
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER YIELDS The LPL Research Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee is increasing its recommended interest rate exposure in its tactical allocation from underweight to neutral. Now that interest rates...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets September 19, 2022 HOW MUCH HIGHER CAN RATES GO?
HOW MUCH HIGHER CAN RATES GO? Inflationary dynamics continue to surprise to the upside, and markets now expect the Fed to pursue one of its most aggressive rate hiking campaign in years. U.S. Treasury yields continue to move higher as well.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets September 12, 2022 GETTING JOBS MARKET BACK INTO BALANCE G
GETTING JOBS MARKET BACK INTO BALANCE Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell reiterated his warning that getting inflation under control will require some pain. Powell is likely making these warnings based on the arcane, clunky relationship...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets September 6, 2022 CALENDAR CRUELTY
CALENDAR CRUELTY The difficult 2022 for stocks may not get much easier because as we now wait for better news on the inflation front, we have to contend with a seasonally weak month of September. While we got some welcome news...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 29, 2022 EARNINGS RECAP: STILL HANGING IN THERE
EARNINGS RECAP: STILL HANGING IN THERE Earnings growth of 6-7% doesn’t sound very exciting, but given the challenges corporate America has faced, we consider the nearly-complete second-quarter earnings season a resounding success.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 22, 2022 WHERE WILL HOUSING GO FROM HERE?
WHERE WILL HOUSING GO FROM HERE? Existing home sales fell 5.9% in July, the sixth consecutive month of declines as higher interest rates weigh on housing affordability and prospective buyers. As the housing market slowed, so did prices.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 15, 2022 START OF A NEW BULL MARKET?
START OF A NEW BULL MARKET? Investors cheered the two better-than-expected inflation reports last week, pushing the S&P 500 to 16% above its June 16 low and only 11% below its all-time high. After this rebound, the key question investors...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 8, 2022 Case for Recession Weakens
CASE FOR RECESSION WEAKENS The market pundits remain intensely focused on the question of whether the U.S. economy is in or about to enter recession, so we thought a piece on what a recession might mean for the stock market...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 1, 2022 What a Week
What a Week That was quite a week. These days a Federal Reserve (Fed) policy meeting alone gets a lot of headlines and has market participants on the edge of their seats. Add to that the second straight quarter of negative gross domestic...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets July 25, 2022 Three Factors That Could Change the Course of Inflation
THREE FACTORS THAT COULD CHANGE THE COURSE OF INFLATIONJeffrey Roach, PhD, Chief Economist, LPL FinancialJeffrey Buchbinder, CFA, Equity Strategist, LPL FinancialLawrence Gillum, CFA, Fixed Income Strategist, LPL FinancialFor the past...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets July 18, 2022 Managing Volatility
MANAGING VOLATILITY Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t...
Read More2022 Midyear Market Update
Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets July 5, 2022 CONSTRUCTIVE, NOT COMPLACENT: LOWERING S&P 500 TARGET
CONSTRUCTIVE, NOT COMPLACENT: LOWERING S&P 500 TARGET Stocks have been unable to make up much ground since the June 16 lows, with a bear market rally amounting to only around a 4.3% gain in the S&P 500 Index since then (as of July 1).
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 27, 2022 RELIEF AT THE PUMP AND FOR PORTFOLIOS?
RELIEF AT THE PUMP AND FOR PORTFOLIOS? Let’s start with the single price that matters to consumers most: gas prices. Even if you drive an electric car, it would be hard not to notice the huge increase in gas prices over the past year.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 21, 2022 BEAR MARKET Q&A
BEAR MARKET Q&A The bear market that started on June 13 has left the S&P 500 Index 23.5% below its January 3 high. After the initial positive reaction to the Federal Reserve’s...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 13, 2022 IS THE 60/40 PORTFOLIO DEAD?
IS THE 60/40 PORTFOLIO DEAD? This year has been tough for investors, not just because stocks have fallen but also because bonds have not helped mitigate those losses as they have historically done. Below we discuss the outlook...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 6, 2022 Economy Slowing But Not Shrinking
ECONOMY SLOWING BUT NOT SHRINKING Many pundits are issuing recession warnings and saying the economy is heading for a hard landing. Amid the cacophony of voices, we think then economy is slowing just like central bankers want but not...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets May 31, 2022 Looking Through the Clouds
Looking Through the Clouds At the risk of sounding cliché, making the case for stocks to stage a second half rally back to the prior highs requires investors to see through some heavy cloud cover. If you prefer another market cliché...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets May 23, 2022
DAWN OF A NEW ERA FOR BONDS Core bond investors have experienced the worst start to the year ever. However tough this year has been so far though (and it has been tough), the potential for future returns has improved meaningfully, in our
Read MoreNavigating the Markets May 16, 2022
CORPORATE AMERICA DELIVERS, MARKET ATTENTION FOCUSED ELSEWHERE First quarter earnings season was solid by just about any measure, but based on recent market behavior it’s obvious that in general market participants paid little attention.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets May 9, 2022
HAVE WE REALLY SEEN EXTREME PESSIMISM YET? It’s been a very tough start to the year with both stocks and bonds down sharply. Adding to the “wall of worry” for investors are the highest levels of U.S. inflation in decades, an aggressive...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets May 2, 2022
“Sell in May and go away” is probably the most widely cited stock market cliché in history. Every year a barrage of Wall Street commentaries, media stories, and investor questions flood in about the popular stock market adage.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 25, 2022
BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS LIKELY PROTECTED FROM NEAR-TERM RECESSION Not all recessions are created equal. Previous downturns in the U.S. were prompted by various shocks, with the most recent recession started by health and government...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 18, 2022
WHAT TO WATCH THIS EARNINGS SEASON We expect corporate America to again report earnings above consensus estimates in the first quarter. The consensus estimate is now calling for a 5% year-over-year increase in S&P 500 Index earnings per...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 11, 2022
LPL Research reduced U.S. and global GDP forecasts due to Russian commodity disruptions, elevated inflation dynamics, and higher borrowing costs. Still, we expect the U.S. economy to grow 2.7-3.2% in 2022, supported by business investment..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets April 4, 2022
OUR STOCK MARKET FINAL FOUR As the Final Four NCAA Basketball Tournament rolls on in New Orleans, we continue our tradition of picking a stock market final four. We have identified our four key factors for the stock market outlook...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 28, 2022
TEMPERING OUR ENTHUSIASM As the stock market recovered from the 2020 pandemic lows, valuations reached levels not seen since the dotcom bubble more than 20 years ago. The reopening economy and massive fiscal stimulus helped fuel one of...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 21, 2022
IN DEFENSE OF CORE BONDS Core bond investors have experienced one of the worst starts to the year ever, potentially calling into question the validity of bonds in a portfolio. Despite the poor start, we don’t think the value proposition...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 14, 2022
READY, SET, HIKE The Federal Reserve (Fed) meets this week and in all likelihood will raise short-term interest rates for the first time since emergency levels of monetary accommodation were provided to markets after the COVID-19 shutdowns.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets March 7, 2022
DOWNSHIFT IN U.S. GROWTH BUT STILL ABOVE TREND We currently expect the U.S. economy to grow 3.7% in 2022. The risks are to the downside since the Fed may err on tightening too fast, the recent commodity spike may trickle down to the U.S...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 28, 2022
HOW SOON ARE RATE HIKES COMING? With inflationary pressures running higher than many central bankers are comfortable with, calls for interest rate hikes have become louder. A number of important central bank meetings are set to take...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 22, 2022
STRONG EARNINGS MOMENTUM TO START 2022 Corporate America has capped off an outstanding 2021 with an excellent fourth quarter earnings season so far. Entering 2021, the consensus estimate for S&P 500 Index earnings per share (EPS) was less..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 14, 2022
THE VALENTINE’S DAY INDEX High inflation continues to cloud the economic outlook while its impact on the potential path of rate hikes has left markets unsettled. Inflation is a serious topic, but occasionally it’s useful to revisit it...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets February 7, 2022
WHICH REGION WILL GET THE GOLD IN 2022? The near-10% correction in the S&P 500 Index and even larger drawdown in the Nasdaq have gotten a lot of attention this year. What hasn’t gotten as much attention—and maybe surprising to some—is...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 31, 2022
SUSTAINABLE INVESTING YEAR IN REVIEW Sustainable investing hit several milestones in 2021, but continued to attract its critics. Below we look at how sustainable investing fits within the broader concept of sustainability, its growth...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 24, 2022
POTENTIAL CATALYSTS FOR A TURNAROUND After a tough start for stocks in 2022, investors are looking for reasons to expect a rebound. After more than doubling off the pandemic lows in March 2020, without anything more than a 5% pullback in
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 18, 2022
DON’T EXPECT THE FED TO END THIS BULL ANYTIME SOON The Federal Reserve (Fed) has engineered a massive hawkish shift, causing a bit more stock market volatility recently. But how worried should investors be? Here we take a look back at...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets January 3, 2022
THREE 2021 MARKET LESSONS FOR 2022 In many ways, 2021 was a typical year for markets, but it also reinforced some basic market lessons that are hard to learn, even if they are not new. As we launch into the New Year, we’re highlighting...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets December 20, 2021
STOCK MARKET OUTLOOK We expect solid economic and earnings growth in 2022 to help U.S. stocks deliver additional gains next year. If we are approaching—or are already in—the middle of an economic cycle with at least a few more years left...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets December 13, 2021
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2022 We believe pent-up demand, gradual improvement in supply chain challenges, solid labor force growth, and productivity gains will all contribute to another year of above-trend economic growth in 2022.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets December 6, 2021
WILL OMICRON RUIN THE SANTA RALLY? Historically, December has been a great month for stocks, but now we have the Omicron variant causing major volatility and uncertainty. Still, we remain optimistic that the new worries will subside over..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets November 22, 2021
THREE REASONS TO BE THANKFULRyan Detrick, CMT, Chief Market Strategist, LPL FinancialScott Brown, CMT, Senior Analyst, LPL Financial There are only six weeks to go in 2021 and it has been an incredible year for the stock market bulls....
Read MoreNavigating the Markets November 15, 2021
A PEEK AT PEAK INFLATION: FIVE SIGNALS TO WATCH FOR After an updside inflation surprise in October, it’s clear that peak inflation may still be ahead, possibly even pushing into 2022. While the Federal Reserve (Fed) maintains its position
Read MoreNavigating the Markets November 8, 2021
DEVELOPED INTERNATIONAL: IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Since we began our investing careers, we’ve had the concept of diversification drilled into our heads. Some refer to it as the only free lunch in investing. Well, when it comes to geography, that..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets November 1, 2021
FIVE THINGS THAT MIGHT SPOOK MARKETS With Halloween over the weekend, what better to write about this week than what scares us? If our positive near-term market outlook proves to be overly optimistic, we believe one—or perhaps more than...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 25, 2021
BULLISH SETUP INTO YEAR-END The S&P 500 Index has gained more than 20% so far this year, making more than 50 record highs along the way. Certainly nobody should be upset with that return if that was all 2021 brought us. However, we see...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 18, 2021
Q3 EARNINGS PREVIEW: LESS UPSIDE We have used most of the superlatives we know to describe corporate America’s stunning performances over the past two earnings seasons. Despite lofty expectations, results exceeded estimates by the biggest..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 11, 2021
ANSWERING THE TOP DEBT CEILING QUESTIONS Last week, Congress was able to push back a fast-approaching deadline for raising the debt ceiling to December. Markets applauded the move with a relief rally. Despite decreased uncertainty in the...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets October 4, 2021
EARLY THOUGHTS ON 2022 With the fourth quarter underway—historically the best quarter for stocks, by the way—2022 is fast approaching. While a lot can still happen between now and the end of 2021, we don’t think it’s too early to start
Read MoreNavigating the Markets September 27, 2021
September 27, 2021TO Z OR NOT TO Z: WHY THE SHAPE OF THE RECOVERY STILL MATTERS. Early in the recovery, there was a lot of debate about what “shape” it would take. There were letters, such as V, U, W, L, and K, and shapes, such as...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets September 20, 2021
REVISITING OUR 10-YEAR TREASURY YIELD FORECAST Until recently, we expected the 10-year Treasury yield to end the year between 1.75% and 2.0%. Now, however, there are two key elements suggesting we are unlikely to see significantly higher...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets September 13, 2021
Several policy-related risks loom in September and October that may lead to an increase in market volatility. The debt ceiling needs to be raised (likely by mid-October), the government needs to be funded to avoid a shutdown by the end of..
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 30, 2021
First and foremost, this week’s commentary should not be construed to suggest that we are saying stocks will go up forever. We are also not saying that stocks are immune from a pullback in the final four months of 2021. Corrections are a...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 23, 2021
The term stagflation has been circulating increasingly in the financial media as inflation readings have risen sharply in recent months. The term is often associated with the 1970s, which saw runaway inflation—largely driven by sky-high
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 16, 2021
Corporate America did it again. Companies blew by estimates and made strategists and analysts look silly (though we humbly suggest that we may have looked less silly than most in our earnings preview on July 12). S&P 500 earnings growth did
Read MoreNavigating the Markets August 9, 2021
The highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 now makes up an overwhelming majority of the new cases in the U.S., bringing with it a rise in cases and hospitalizations. Widespread vaccine distribution and distancing measures have...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets July 26, 2021
2021 has been a very strong year for both stocks and the economy, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some surprises. Below we take a look at some things that have happened so far in 2021 that have surprised the LPL Research team.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets July 19, 2021
It is hard to believe we have passed the halfway point of 2021. After a 2020 that would never end, the first six months of 2021 flew by. With the second half underway, we have updated our views of the markets and economy in LPL Research’s
Read MoreNavigating the Markets July 12, 2021
We ran out of superlatives to describe corporate America’s stunning performance during first-quarter earnings season. Despite lofty expections, results exceeded expectations by one of the biggest margins ever. So what will companies do for
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 28, 2021
Markets are off to a strong start this year, with the S&P 500 Index up about 14% so far. However, most of those gains came early in the year, and many stocks have stagnated over recent months. While we remain overweight on stocks...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 21, 2021
Inflation has been on the rise. Investors are not as interested in what’s happening now as they are in what’s happening next. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve (Fed) shared its views at the conclusion of its last policy meeting on Wednesday, J
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 14, 2021
On May 27, 2021, a couple of events in the energy sector occurred that demonstrated the continued mainstreaming of sustainable investing and underscored the risks and opportunities available to investors.
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 7, 2021
June 7, 2021 POLICY SHIFTS MAY CHALLENGE MARKETS Barry Gilbert, PhD, CFA, Asset Allocation Strategist, LPL Financial Ryan Detrick, CMT, Chief Market Strategist, LPL Financial Fiscal stimulus, which was central to the market rebound...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets June 1, 2021
June 1, 2021 PROCEED WITH CAUTION IN THE BOND MARKET Lawrence Gillum, CFA, Fixed Income Strategist, LPL FinancialRyan Detrick, CMT, Chief Market Strategist, LPL Financial After one of the worst starts to a year for fixed income,...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets May 24, 2021
STOCK MARKET GAINS LIKELY TO SLOW After one of the best starts to a bull market in history, the rally has started to show signs of fatigue.A strong economic recovery lies ahead as the reopening continues, bolstering a very strong...
Read MoreNavigating the Markets
Where to Invest with Higher Inflation Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Inflation is all the rage after last week’s much hotter than expected inflation numbers. Our base case remains that this period of higher inflation will be transitory...
Read MoreAn Election Pattern You Might Not Know About
An Election Pattern You Might Not Know About Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog With Election Day a mere five days away, we at LPL Research thought we would add one last election forecaster to the mix of what we’ve presented...
Read MoreTax Free Income: Is there a silver lining?
With tax rates at near historical lows and governments around the world spending trillions of dollars to protect their weakened economies from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems inevitable that tax rates could...
Read MorePersonality Isn't Permanent ~ Have More Abundance and Unbridled Love
If you and I got together 10 years from now, what would we be celebrating? Who would you be and what would you be doing? What can I look forward to with you? My friend Benjamin has a new book called Personality Isn't Permanent. Read...
Read MorePro tip: apply for Medicare early.
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably been thinking about your health quite a bit lately — especially if you’re approaching retirement. Trust me, I understand. Anticipating your future medical costs can...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Relief For Federal Student Loan Borrowers
Are you or someone you know currently making federal student loan payments? In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, some welcome relief may be on the way.Thanks to the recent passage of the CARES Act, the U.S. Department of Education will...
Read MoreAre you eligible for a stimulus check from the Treasury Department?
As of Friday, April 24, the Internal Revenue Service said it had issued 88 million payments to individuals across the country. It plans to send out more than 150 million payments as part of the overall Economic Impact Payments program...
Read MoreKey Provisions of the CARES Act
As I am sure you know, the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was recently signed into law. The CARES Act is designed to help those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also providing key...
Read MoreInc. Article on How Recent Widows Can Avoid Common Financial Mistakes and Create an Abundant Future
According to The Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory, the accidental death of a spouse is the most stressful life event a person can have. At 37 years-old, Christi Staib's life was turned upside down without warning when her husband drowned
Read MoreDon't Leap Before You Look!
The powerful benefits of thoughtful action When people are confronted with adversity, opportunity or both, they often react quickly—with the intention of dealing with the situation rapidly and moving forward. These reflexively...
Read More5 Big Problems to Solve Before You Retire
It seems, sometimes, as though financial professionals come in only two flavors. There are those who promise everything is going to be fine; And then there are the hand-wringers who just can't stop with the worrying - read more here....
Read MoreCharitable Giving, the Tax-Wise Way
Americans, especially the affluent, are some of the most charitable people in the world. Chances are, you use some of your wealth to support favorite causes or organizations that are important to you.
Read MoreHere’s Why You May Need to Update Your Estate Plan
Estate planning—the process for how you transfer your wealth to heirs and others—can be very important for anyone who wants to be certain that their loved ones are adequately provided for and taken care of. When done well,...
Read MoreThe Super Rich’s Three Big Fears—and How They Work to Overcome Them
Significant wealth can reduce many of life’s trouble—but it can’t eliminate them entirely. Even the richest among us have fears. What’s more, they often share many of the same worries the rest of us have. But...
Read MoreHow Playing the Long Game Could Help Build Wealth and Success
How Playing the Long Game Could Help Build Wealth and Success Many extremely wealthy people have a much better handle than others on a key concept of success: the long game. The long game means having a concrete vision of your ideal...
Read MoreFour Ways the Super Rich Manage Their Wealth
Four Ways the Super Rich Manage Their Wealth The self-made Super Rich—people with a net worth of at least $500 million that they built through their own hard work—often possess a treasure trove of knowledge, insights and...
Read MoreWork Smarter- Not Harder!
Work Smarter—Not Harder! Reclaim your time and energy to live your best life Each of us has just 168 hours per week to accomplish our tasks and goals—at work, at home and out in the world. If you feel like you spend too...
Read MoreMidyear Outlook 2019
LPL Research Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets is filled with investment insights and market guidance for the year ahead. LPL Financial Research believes that even as investors face prospects...
Read MoreEstate Planning: Don't forget about your pet!
Estate Planning: Don’t Forget Your Pet! If you are part of the 68 percent of U.S. households that own a pet[1], you probably think of it as a true member of the family—one you love and cherish. But what would happen to that...
Read MoreCongratulations Graduates! What are your next steps, financially?
What recent graduates (and their parents) need to think about. Spring is here, summer weather has begun (in many places), and graduation time has arrived. Across the country, students are finishing their high school, college, and even...
Read MoreA Look at College Savings Options
As time goes by, planning for a child’s college education is more challenging than ever before. The saving or investing method you choose will depend on your child’s age, as well as your financial resources. Other...
Read MoreThree Questions to Answer Before You Purchase Life Insurance
Life insurance can be an extremely important, even essential, part of your financial plan. One of its most attractive aspects for many individuals and families is the death benefit of the policy— the money that the insurance...
Read MoreChecking In On The Five Forecasters
With the bull market 10 years old and the economic cycle about to reach 10 years, the big question is how much longer can it go? To answer this question we will take a closer look at our Five Forecasters for late-cycle warnings....
Read MoreYields Defy Inflation Expectations
Global uncertainty has dominated the direction of long-term interest rates recently. Nominal Treasury yields have converged with breakeven rates, or market expectations for inflation (calculated from Treasury Inflation-Protected...
Read MoreGlobal Sectors Reflect Trade Jitters
Trade fears drove stocks to their worst week of the year, down 2% after President Trump placed higher tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods and threatened fresh tariffs on an additional $325 billion in Chinese goods after the...
Read MoreA Letter to Clients: May 2019
Dear Valued Investor: If it seems like the financial markets have been off to an unusually strong start to the year—you are correct. The S&P 500 Index has risen for four consecutive months, resulting in the strongest start to a...
Read MoreRising Tide for Diversified Portfolios
Diversified investors were the big winners in the first four months of this year. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, both stocks and bonds have posted strong rallies through the first four months of this year, thanks to increased...
Read MoreTime to Sell in May?
One of the most popular investment axioms is about to take over the airwaves: “Sell in May and Go Away.” That’s because the upcoming six months(from May until the end of October) have historically been the weakest...
Read MoreA Common Sense Guide to Heart Health
It’s been said that a man with health has a thousand dreams, while a man with no health has but one. Don’t you owe it to yourself, your family, your career and your community to have not only a thousand dreams, but also...
Read MorePay Yourself First
Each month you settle down to pay bills. You pay your mortgage lender. You pay the electric company. You pay the trash collector. But do you pay yourself? One of the most basic tenets of sound investing involves the simple habit of...
Read MoreTrue or False: You Are A retirement Savings Plan Expert
How much do you really know about your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan? If you're like many people, you have many ideas about how your plan works, which may or may not be entirely accurate. To gauge your knowledge, take...
Read MoreThe Importance of Personal Umbrella Policies
What would happen if you or your child caused a car accident that resulted in serious injuries or the deaths of others? How would you pay for the treatment and damages of someone who was hurt in your home and claimed negligence? What...
Read MoreThe Waiting Game for Record Highs
The wait is over. After more than seven months, the S&P 500 Index notched a fresh all-time closing high of 2,933.68 on April 23. To get here, investors have weathered back-and-forth in trade negotiations, a historic government...
Read MoreFinancial Planning: Helping You See The Big Picture
Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached. That's where financial planning...
Read MoreWomen: Moving Forward Financially after the Loss of a Spouse
The loss of a spouse can be a devastating, life-changing event. Due to longer life expectancies, women are more likely to face this situation. Becoming a widow at any age can be one of the most difficult challenges a woman must face....
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investing
Investing with an eye toward promoting social, political, or environmental concerns (or at least not supporting activities you feel are harmful) doesn't mean you have to forgo pursuing a return on your money. Socially responsible...
Read More10 Smart Uses for Your Tax Refund
If you have a refund check coming your way, consider using it to bolster your personal balance sheet. The average refund is usually around $3,000, and most people receive the money within three weeks of filing their returns. That's a...
Read MoreWhat’s Priced In?
After such a strong rally this year, you may be wondering what could drive stocks higher from here. With the S&P 500 Index near its all-time high, a lot of good news could be priced in to stocks. At the same time, disappointments...
Read MoreWhat’s Your High-Net-Worth Personality?
Here’s why you need to knowAs a successful person with big goals, you require truly valuable financial advice that maximizes your ability to pursue your most important personal and professional financial objectives.That means you...
Read MoreTradition At The Masters Tournament
Do you have a yearly tradition of reviewing your financial plan? It is Masters time again. The 2019 Masters Tournament begins on April 11th, continuing an April tradition that started in 1934. Why is the Masters so special? Well, it...
Read MoreThe Value of Multi-generational Family Meetings
If you’ve amassed sizable wealth, or are on the right path and getting there, it may be time to consider how to pass on some of that money to children and grandchildren—without creating big problems that could harm their...
Read MoreDear Valued Investor - April
April brings showers, baseball, and historically, the best month of the year for the S&P 500 Index (for the last 20 years). On top of that, the S&P 500 had its best first quarter since 1998, and in March we celebrated the 10-year...
Read MoreThe Traits of a Good Investor and How Women Can Make the Most of Them
Women are increasingly taking responsibility for managing their own money. That includes those who in the past may have left investing to a spouse because they were busy raising a family or had no interest in the subject, but who have...
Read MoreA Quarterly Update on Financial and Family Issues for Women
Stretching an IRA into FutureGenerations Imagine that you could wave a magic wand and turn your new grandchild into a millionaire for a head start in life. Believe it or not, even a relatively modest amount tucked away using a...
Read MoreApril's Bullish History
Seasonality could be on the bull’s side, especially after U.S. stocks’ best first quarter in 20 years. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, April has consistently been one of the strongest months for U.S. stocks. Over the...
Read MoreWomen: What You Should Know When Starting a Business
According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, there are 11.6 million women-owned businesses, employing nearly 9 million people and generating $1.7 trillion in sales in 2017.1 Many of these businesses started small,...
Read MoreGood News Indicators
The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) is one of our favorite economic indicators. It is designed to predict future movements in the economy based on a composite of 10 economic indicators (like manufacturers’...
Read MoreDealing With Divorce
Divorce can be a lengthy process that may strain your finances and leave you feeling out of control. But with the right preparation, you can protect your interests, take charge of your future, and save yourself time and money. You...
Read MoreMyths and Facts about Social Security
Myth: Social Security will provide most of the income you need in retirement. Fact: It's likely that Social Security will provide a smaller portion of retirement income than you expect. There's no doubt about it — Social...
Read MoreFive Big Mistakes Executors Make—and How to Avoid Them
Being named the executor of a family member’s (or other loved one’s) estate is, in many ways, an honor. The decision shows that the person saw you as a highly trustworthy, capable person of integrity.But it’s also a...
Read MoreTime For New Highs?
After dropping nearly 20% late last year, the S&P 500 Index has officially bounced up more than 20% from the December 24 lows. As we noted at the time, most bear markets that take place in a non-recessionary environment tend to bottom...
Read MoreWhat Type of Pullback Could We See?
The S&P 500 Index corrected nearly 20% from the September peak until December 24 before staging a furious rally of 19%. What could happen next? A well-deserved pullback would be perfectly normal, and in fact, is probably needed before...
Read MoreDear Valued Investor
The S&P 500 Index has staged an impressive rally after nearly entering a bear market December 24, with U.S. stocks notching their best start to a year since 1991. Stocks have climbed the “wall of worry” once again, but...
Read MoreThe Nasdaq’s 10 Weeks of Green
U.S. stocks’ recent momentum has been historically impressive by many measures, and the Nasdaq Composite Index notched another milestone last week. The Nasdaq has risen for the past 10 weeks, its longest winning streak in 19...
Read MoreIt’s Time to Get Serious About Your Happiness
There’s a great quote by Jean-Paul Sartre: “We are our choices.” When it comes to our happiness and our overall success in life, that’s truer than you might have realized.Taking time to examine the choices you...
Read MoreWhy A Green January and February Have Bulls Smiling
After gaining 7.8% in January, the S&P 500 Index has added another 3.3% so far in February for a grand total year-to-date return of 11.4%. With two days to go, currently this is the best first two months of the year since 1987. As we...
Read More10 Years and Counting: Points to Consider as You Approach Retirement
If you're a decade or so away from retirement, you've probably spent at least some time thinking about this major life change. How will you manage the transition? Will you travel, take up a new sport or hobby, or spend more time with...
Read MorePlanning for Marriage: Financial Tips for Women
Planning for marriage should involve more than just picking out invitations and deciding whether you should serve chicken or fish at the reception. More importantly, you'll want to take a look at how marriage will impact your...
Read MoreTrimming Our 2019 GDP Forecast
Economic data have consistently missed expectations recently as investors and Wall Street have struggled to quantify the impact of global trade and political risks. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the Bloomberg U.S. Economic...
Read MoreUnderstanding Long-Term Care Insurance
It's a fact: People today are living longer. Although that's good news, the odds of requiring some sort of long-term care increase as you get older. And as the costs of home care, nursing homes, and assisted living escalate, you...
Read MoreThe Year of the Pig Could Have Bulls Smiling
“Bulls make money, bears make money, and pigs get slaughtered.” Old Wall Street saying. The Chinese New Year (often called the Lunar New Year) kicked off Tuesday, February 5, and with it came the Year of the Pig. Although...
Read MoreFour Things Women Need to Know about Social Security
Ever since a legal secretary named Ida May Fuller received the first retirement benefit check in 1940, women have been counting on Social Security to provide much-needed retirement income. Social Security provides other important...
Read MoreThe Diversified Investor’s Big January
Diversified investors just capped one of their best months of the current economic cycle. In January, the S&P 500 Index posted its biggest monthly gain since October 2015. At the same time, the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index...
Read MoreWhy Tom Terrific Might Not Be So Terrific For Stocks
The Super Bowl indicator suggests that stocks rise for the full year when the Super Bowl winner comes from the original National Football League (now the NFC), but when an original American Football League (now the AFC) team wins,...
Read MoreInvesting In Your Vacation
Why do most avoid this important investment? Why do so many of us not use our vacation days? Salespeople talk about “leaving money on the table.” Well, employees leave vacation on the table. And the cost to us is...
Read MoreStocks Bounced, Now What?
The big bounce off the December 24 lows continued last week, as the S&P 500 Index added 2.9% for the week. In fact, it has gained 2.9%, 1.9%, 2.5%, and 2.9% over the past four weeks for a total gain of 10.5%. Of course, the S&P 500...
Read MoreWills and Trusts
The foundations of your estate planFor so many of us, family is paramount. You probably expect to use your wealth to take care of your family in the here and now—health care, travel, college tuition and the like. But chances are...
Read MoreBrexit Hits Another Bump
Yesterday’s U.K. Parliament vote was another bump in the road for Brexit. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the British pound and the euro have steadily declined over the past few months, weighed down in large part by...
Read MoreThe Super Rich Stress Test Their Financial Plans—and So Should You!
The Super Rich (those with a net worth of $500 million or more) who have family offices typically engage a sizable lineup of professional advisors to help them create and implement financial plans. To help ensure those plans are both...
Read MoreLower Valuations May Signal Solid Gains For Stocks
Stocks have rebounded strongly off the December lows, with the S&P 500 Index adding 2% in January to its 7% gain over the last week of 2018. We see potential for further gains ahead given the fundamentals supporting economic growth...
Read MoreMarket Fears and Economic Realities
Recent Federal Reserve (Fed) rhetoric has spooked financial markets, especially as uncertainty has clouded investors’ horizons. But we still believe the fundamental U.S. economic landscape is compelling, and despite market...
Read MoreBoost Your Retirement with IRAs and 401(k)s
Whether retirement is around the corner or decades away, there are more options than ever to help you plan for it. Let’s look at Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) plans, which offer tax benefits that can help you...
Read MorePutting an Extremely Volatile Market in Perspective
On Monday, the S&P 500 Index came about as close as possible to the technical definition of a bear market without officially registering one (defined as a 20% or larger decline based on closing prices). Enduring these sharp declines...
Read More10 Tips for Your $ Future
However much you make or save now doesn’t promise you a bright financial future. Life is unpredictable. Follow these 10 tips to prevent you and your family from money troubles. See a lawyer and make a will. If you have a will,...
Read MoreMarket Update: Wed, Dec 26, 2018
S&P 500 Index Reaches Bear Market on an Intra-Day Basis. While the S&P 500 Index is technically not in a bear market by the most widely used definition (20% or more decline based on closing prices), it is important to recognize that...
Read MoreIs It Time For Santa?
So far it’s been rough for stocks in December, a month that has historically been bullish. How bad has it been? After 10 trading days, we’re off to the worst start to December since 1980! In fact, the S&P 500 Index is...
Read MoreOutlook 2019
We are pleased to announce the release of the LPL Research Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets, filled with investment insights and market guidance for the year ahead. After nearly 10 years of...
Read MoreYear-End Tax Planning
As the end of the year approaches, it's time to consider strategies that could help you reduce your tax bill. But most tax tips, suggestions, and strategies are of little practical help without a good understanding of your current tax...
Read MoreMidterms and the Markets
The potential outcomes of the midterm elections have been dominating the news cycle lately, and we know from history that the markets typically do not like uncertainty. With the Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives,...
Read MoreA Penny Saved is Two Pennies Earned
This modern twist on the Ben Franklin maxim reflects the multiplicity of taxes to which earnings are subject in today’s world.¹ Finding ways to manage expenses is one of the cornerstones of a sound financial strategy. Here...
Read MoreFive Takeaways on October’s Rough Ride
October has been a rough month for equities, but then again it’s historically been one of the most volatile periods of the year. “October is known for volatility, and we’ve sure seen it so far,” explained...
Read MoreIt’s Time to Get Serious About Your Happiness
There’s a great quote by Jean-Paul Sartre: “We are our choices.” When it comes to our happiness and our overall success in life, that’s truer than you might have realized. Taking time to examine the choices you...
Read MoreWhat Happens If You Miss the 10 Worst Days of the Year?
After more than three months without a single 1% change (up or down) for the S&P 500 Index, volatility came back—and in a big way—this past week. This brings up an interesting question: What would happen if you could avoid...
Read MoreEstate Management Checklist
Do you have a will? A will enables you to specify who you want to inherit your property and other assets. A will also enables you to name a guardian for your minor children. Do you have healthcare documents in place? Healthcare...
Read MoreThoughts on the Market Sell-Off
Stocks just had their worst one-day drop since February, as a combination of higher bond yields, U.S./China tensions, nervousness over the upcoming midterm elections, six straight months of gains, and worries about peak margins this...
Read MoreWomen and Retirement
Women must be ready to spend, on average, more years in retirement than men.
Read MoreGOOD CREDIT: TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL
Many parents teach their children the ABCs at a very young age, but do they teach them the ABCs of good credit? At certain points in life, everyone must deal with banks, loans, credit, and finances. You may have learned your lessons...
Read MoreSix Keys to More Successful Investing
A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss. Though there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, here are six basic...
Read More6 Tips to Take Control of Your Financial Health
Similar to taking care of your personal health by proactively incorporating healthy habits and annual checkups, you can also take control of your financial health when you are proactive and engaged in managing your finances. And also...
Read MoreFive Money Rules to Live By
It’s not simply a matter of working harder; it’s much more about using your non-financial skills and talents in new ways to bring you prosperity and a greater sense of personal satisfaction. Here are five tips to follow...
Read MoreA Cheat Sheet For Sending Your Kid to College
College marks a great milestone in a child's life. It may be the first time he or she will live away from home. Dropping off your child at college may be an experience loaded with emotions, so here are a few tips for a smoother...
Read MoreFive Ways to Save for College
College won’t pay for itself. How will you pay for it? You may have more choices than you think. Is creating a college fund on your to-do list? Consider these options. 529 plans. Anyone can contribute to these savings vehicles....
Read MoreSmart Ways to Take Control of a Trust
Smart Ways to Take Control of a Trust Many successful families use trusts to minimize taxes, transfer wealth and protect assets from creditors and others. You may have already set up a trust, or you may hold an inheritance you received...
Read MoreMidyear Outlook 2018
The recently released LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2018: The Plot Thickens is filled with investment insights and market guidance to take us through the rest of the year. So far this year, the return of the business cycle has brought...
Read MoreKeeping an Eye on Global Activity
The summer months are almost underway, which means that both vacations and midyear check-ins are ahead. As we approach the midpoint of 2018, many of us will take this opportunity to reflect on what we’ve seen so far and what may...
Read MoreWhat The New Tax Bill Means For You
The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act represents “the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years.”1 For millions of Americans and businesses it means an altered financial and investment landscape...
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