Blog
Banks and the Financial Markets
Folks,I’m sure you have seen/read/heard about the recent events in the banking sector. Over the last several days, a number of banks have collapsed and been taken over by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)...
Read MoreMarch 2023 Monthly Outlook - Trend Change?
I titled this month’s report the same as last month’s – Trend Change?I’m doing that because while we saw a break of the downtrend from 2022 in January 2023, we are now testing whether that change is sustainable...
Read MoreFebruary 2023 Monthly Outlook - Trend Change?
January 2023 was a very strong month in financial markets. Interest rates came down, which fueled a nice bounce in stock values. Most importantly, the stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, finally broke the downtrend it...
Read MoreDebt Ceiling
Folks,I hope all is well.I’m sure many of you have seen the headlines “US officially hits debt ceiling”. I want to share a little perspective with you.Yes the country has hit its current debt ceiling. This...
Read MoreSpring 2023 Credit Report Reminder
Happy winter! With the holidays in the rearview mirror, we’re all working on our resolutions and waiting patiently for spring. Whatever you’re doing to beat the winter blues, we recommend you check your credit report too...
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January 2023 Monthly Outlook
Wow, what a year! 2022 was a rough year for the markets. The S&P 500 was down 19.4%, the worst yearly decline since 2008. The tech-heavy Nasdaq was down 33%, the worst decline since the dot-com bubble way back in 2001...
Read MoreStudent Debt Relief Update
The Department of Education has extended the student loan repayment pause which was set to expire at the end of 2022. There will be 3 possible scenarios on which repayments will begin; 60 days after debt cancellation, 60 days after the...
Read MoreDecember 2022 - Monthly Outlook - Current Market Status
November was a positive month in the financial markets, with both stocks and bonds gaining in value as interest rates declined. On the final day of the month, stocks (basis S&P 500) finally eclipsed it’s downtrend line...
Read MoreNovember 2022 Monthly Outlook - 'Tis the Season'
Halloween just passed and I saw holiday decorations already going up. It also ‘Tis the season’ for the best returns in financial markets. As the chart below shows, November and December have a history of positive...
Read MoreKeep more of your money in 2023
Folks,Another piece of good news from the federal government this week.The new income tax brackets and standard deductions have come out and they have increased to account for inflation. The higher standard deduction will help to...
Read MoreA Bit of Good News
Folks,In the midst of all the negative news about the economy and the market, we got a bit of good news on October 13th.The Social Security Administration announced that the cost-of-living adjustment for 2023 will be 8.7%, the...
Read MoreOctober 2022 Monthly Report - Sometimes It Stinks To Be Right
In my September 2022 Monthly Outlook, I included this chart and highlighted my concern that we might retest the June low in stocks (3,636 on S&P 500). Well it turned out I was right as stocks fell hard and ended September at 3,585 on...
Read MoreSeptember 2022 - Monthly Outlook - Bear Market Rally?
In my August Monthly Outlook I stated that I was skeptical of the strong rally we saw in the stock market during July. That rally continued almost unabated during August. Right up until 8/15 when stocks hit their 200 day...
Read MoreAugust 2022 Monthly Outlook - Optimism
The end of July finished quite strong with a great deal of optimism. Optimism in the Fed’s ability to handle inflation, optimism in the long-term picture for technology stocks, and optimism in the equity markets to rally in...
Read MoreJuly 2022 Monthly Outlook - "Dazed and Confused"
“Been dazed and confused for so long, it’s not true...Lotsa people talkin’, few of them know...Don’t know where you’re going, only know just where you’ve been…” - Dazed and Confused, Led...
Read MoreJune 2022 Monthly Outlook - Fools Rush In?
Folks,I hope everyone is well and gearing up for some summer fun. My oldest granddaughter, Isys, will be visiting for a few weeks this summer and interning in my office.Our transition to Kestra is proceeding apace, and most of...
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February 2022 Monthly Outlook - Dead Cat Bounce or Time to Pounce?
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