Financial Planning Archives

Special Update: What U.S.-China Trade Progress Means for Investors

The recent trade announcement between the U.S. and China reverses many of the tariffs that rattled financial markets beginning in April.

Bond Volatility and the Battle Over Fed Policy

For bond investors, especially those who rely on their portfolios for income, the current environment may present both challenges and opportunities for their financial plans.

Quarterly Webinar: Q2 2025 Market and Economic Themes

Please join our Chief Investment Officer, Mike Minter, for our quarterly webinar where we discuss ten relevant market and economic themes heading into the 2nd quarter of 2025.

5 Important Tax Considerations for Your Financial Planning

Albert Einstein reportedly once told his accountant, "the hardest thing in the world to understand is income taxes."

The Trade War Groundhog Day

With the stock market back near correction territory due to tariff concerns, some investors may feel as if the market is stuck in a “Groundhog Day” loop.

Fed’s Rate Pause | What it Means for You

So far in 2025, the Fed has kept policy rates unchanged - why is the Fed on hold and how does it affect long-term investors?

Consumer Pessimism and Economic Risk

Consumers are the backbone of the U.S. economy, with consumer spending making up more than two-thirds of annual GDP.

Chart of the Month | Understanding the Current Market Selloff

Stocks started 2025 trading higher but have since pulled back significantly - several factors are contributing to the current market selloff.

Are Recession Fears and Market Sell-Off Overblown?

While recessions are a normal function of an economic cycle, they are infrequent, and market sell-offs rarely lead to prolonged downturns.

Major Update on the Social Security Fairness Act: What You Need to Know [Video]

This new development is a welcome surprise, as the agency has decided to fast-track benefit payments much sooner than originally expected.

Chart of the Month | 2025 Rate Cut Outlook: What’s Keeping the Fed on Hold?

In recent years, the Federal Reserve carried out one of the fastest rate-hiking campaigns in history to bring inflation down from a multi-decade high.

Bonds Can Present Opportunities in This Market

Even after one of the toughest stretches in bond market history, there are still solid opportunities to be found in fixed income.

The Social Security Fairness Act: Major Changes Explained [Video]

The Social Security Fairness Act has officially been signed into law, marking one of the biggest changes to Social Security in over 40 years.

Chart of the Month | Understanding How Valuations Impact Portfolio Returns

The S&P 500 has rallied +50% since the start of 2023 and more than +150% from the COVID pandemic low in March 2020.

It’s Market Prediction Season!

The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on the past, set goals for the future, and completely tune out predictions from the financial industry.

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