The Future of the Fed: New Leadership and Rate Cuts
For long-term investors, the Federal Reserve plays a key role in supporting the economy and financial system. This will be especially important in 2026 since Jerome Powell’s term as Fed Chair ends in May, creating an opportunity for the White House to reshape the central bank’s leadership and direction. This could have implications for interest […]
Is It Time to Sell My Financial Services Firm?
Determining when to sell your financial services firm is a lot like determining whether it’s time to sell your house. You need to take into account what the market is doing, what buyers are looking for, and whether you’re ready to buy. Unlike selling your house, you don’t normally replace your financial services firm with […]
2026 Outlook: 7 Key Themes for Long-Term Investors
For the sixth time in the last seven years, the stock market is on track to deliver double-digit returns. This remarkable streak, interrupted only by the 2022 inflation-driven downturn, has left many investors in a positive financial position. It’s often said that the anticipation of something is greater than the thing itself. On the one […]
Monthly Market Update for November: Volatility Amid AI and Fed Uncertainty
In November, markets experienced a brief period of volatility that affected many asset classes. While major indices have delivered strong year-to-date returns across stocks, bonds, and international investments, investors continue to worry about artificial intelligence-related stocks and the path of Fed rate cuts. At the same time, the government shutdown delayed the publication of key […]
Why Investors Can Be Thankful This Holiday Season
As the holiday season begins, it’s the perfect time to pause and appreciate what we have, both in our personal and financial lives. This is particularly important since investors tend to focus on what could go wrong rather than what has gone right. At the moment, with markets performing well, it’s helpful to reflect on […]
Innovative Growth: How Keeping Up with Changes in the Financial Industry Gives You an Edge
There’s an ancient saying that a rolling stone gathers no moss, but that’s exactly what a lot of larger financial firms have become: old, worn-down rocks that have become fixed in place and covered in moss. They keep doing the same old things and expecting them to work, despite how much the industry has changed […]
Risk Management Amid Credit Concerns and Cockroaches
There’s an old saying that criminals rob banks because that’s where the money is. However, in today’s financial system, money isn’t just in banks anymore, but across different types of financial institutions. While the hope among policymakers was to reduce the risk to banks after the global financial crisis, this has created new challenges. With […]
Monthly Market Update for October
The stock market continued its strong performance in October despite uncertainty from a government shutdown and renewed trade tensions with China early in the month. Many major indices reached new all-time highs after recovering from a brief period of volatility. Bonds also contributed positively to portfolios as interest rates declined, fueled partly by the Federal […]
Retirement Planning: Social Security COLA and Portfolio Considerations
For retirees and those approaching retirement age, there is no goal more important than ensuring their savings will support a long retirement. This challenge has been compounded by inflation over the past several years, which has eroded the purchasing power of cash savings. Today, prices remain elevated for the key spending areas affecting retirees the […]
Perspectives on the Gold Rally and Dollar Debasement
As many asset classes have reached new peaks, gold has also climbed over 60% this year to above $4,300 per ounce. This rally has captured headlines and prompted many investors to wonder if it is different from past episodes. This has been referred to as the “debasement trade,” based on the idea that governments have […]
