Insights

Weekly Market Commentary February 19, 2019

The S&P 500 surged 2.6% on the news an agreement had been reached to avoid a government shutdown and increased optimism about trade negotiations. Global stocks participated in the rally. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary February 11, 2019

U.S. stocks finished barely positive last week. The S&P 500 inched 0.1% higher on a relatively light week for news. The government shutdown has delayed a number of key statistics about the strength of the U.S. economy and given investors less data then expected to evaluate it. Read more

See the Big Picture: How a Comprehensive Plan Gives You Insight

By Jeff Pesta

I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me. A couple comes in, sits down heavily in a chair, and says something like, “We’ve worked for 25 years. We got married, purchased a home, and put our kids through college. Now we’re in our fifties and we know very little about how money works. We have some savings, but 65 is coming so fast – we’re overwhelmed!” Read more

Personal Financial Planning Seems So Complicated – Where Do I Start?

By Jeff Pesta

My first lesson in budgeting came with a paper route when I was twelve. I knew my upfront costs of paper and other supplies, as well as taxes, so I subtracted that. Then I worked out a regular contribution to my car fund for the moment I turned sixteen. Read more

Abundance Mentality: How Giving Gives Back to You

By Jeff Pesta

People ask me sometimes: has giving to charity made you wealthy? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. I’ve definitely experienced spiritual wealth – the peace and joy of giving. But I’d also argue that physical wealth has come my way as well, in sometimes surprising and unexpected forms. Let me explain what I mean. Read more

From Washington to Your Wallet: How the Federal Funds Rate Affects Personal Finance

If you’ve watched the headlines at all in the last month, you know the markets aren’t sitting still. From the worst Christmas Eve on record to the Dow’s largest jump ever just a few days later – losses and gains seem to have less pattern every day. Experts are divided on how 2019 will look, but predictable isn’t the word any of them are using. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary February 04, 2019

Markets returned to rally mode last week and finished January significantly higher. The S&P 500 surged 1.6% on strong employment data, the Federal Reserve communicating its concerns about slowing growth, and generally positive earnings data.

The relatively strong earnings pushed Carson’s expectations for earnings growth from 11% to just less than 13%. Strong earnings performance from major oil companies helped boost estimates, too. Read more

Tricks of the Trade: How to Keep Your New Year’s Commitments

by Jeff Pesta

New Year’s again. How can I stay committed to this year’s exercise adventure?

Being committed means you stay dedicated to a cause. Seems to me it’s probably easier to stay committed to exercise as a cause or idea rather than do the work itself! But the new year is the time for many of us to take these things out of the abstract and get cracking on some real commitments. Read more

Digital Assets – What They Are and Why You Already Own Some

By Jamie Hopkins

Recently I gave a presentation to a large group, over 300 in attendance. I asked the group, “How many of you own a digital currency?” Only about three or four hands went up. I was shocked. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary January 28, 2019

After a four-week rally, stocks finished close to unchanged last week. The S&P 500 shed 0.2% but is still up 6.4% this year.

The S&P 500 opened sharply lower and then rose the rest of the holiday-shortened week. Read more