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 […]
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 […]
How to Navigate Fears of a Market Bubble
As markets reach new highs and artificial intelligence stocks continue to rally, some investors are asking “are we in a bubble?” This is as much about investor psychology as it is about market conditions. While it’s normal to worry about bubbles, focusing too much on them can lead to counterproductive portfolio decisions that prioritize timing […]
Are Investors Holding Too Much Cash?
For long-term investors, a growing challenge today is how to manage cash as short-term interest rates fall. What appears safe actually comes with real costs beneath the surface, since holding too much cash can quietly undermine long-term financial goals. This comes at an important time, when some investors find themselves with “cash on the sidelines,” […]
Quarterly Market Update for Q4 2025: Navigating Conflicting Signals
Investors experience market swings as a normal part of investing, and this year has been no exception. While market declines – such as the tariff-driven sell-off – can be uncomfortable, they also create opportunities to invest at more attractive valuations. On the other hand, when markets recover and climb to record levels, some investors may […]
How Government Shutdowns Affect Markets and the Economy
Washington is back in the headlines as the federal government faces a shutdown if policymakers can’t reach a new funding agreement. This adds to a year in which government policies around trade, taxes, immigration, and more have created uncertainty for the economy and markets. For investors, it’s natural to wonder how politics might affect their […]
