How the $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Package Could Impact Us

With the latest $1.9 trillion stimulus package now signed into law, over $5 trillion has been authorized over the past year to combat the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Week In Perspective: Market snaps back to record highs [12-Mar-21]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average set intraday record highs every day this week, ultimately rising 4.1% and closing at a record high. The Russell 2000 (+7.3%) and S&P 500 (+2.6%) set new highs for the first time in a month while the Nasdaq Composite (+3.1%) dug itself out of correction territory with a 3% gain.

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

With investing, focus on the years instead of days or weeks. Sounds simple, but it's difficult in practice. Investors have grown uneasy over the past few weeks as stock and bond markets have swung in both directions.

Week In Perspective: Strong Week for Dow, but not for Nasdaq or Growth [5-March-21]

The S&P 500 increased 0.8% in this volatile trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average outperformed with a 1.8% gain, while the Nasdaq Composite (-2.1%) and Russell 2000 (-0.4%) continued to cool off from overheated conditions. Higher interest rates were blamed for the underperformance of the Nasdaq, which fell 2.1%.

When Stocks and Bonds Fall Together

It's been a rough couple of weeks in the markets - the stock AND bond markets. Stocks are still positive for the year, however.

Market and Economic Update (March 2021)

This is our Global Market and Economic Update for March 2021 featuring recent performance of global stocks and economic data.

Interest Rates Spike

The sudden rise in interest rates has spooked some investors. Fears of runaway inflation, the Fed losing control, and concerns over highly-valued sectors have resulted in renewed market volatility.

Week in Perspective 26-Feb-2021

It was an ugly week for the Nasdaq Composite, which dropped 4.9% as long-term interest rates continued to rise sharply and fuel valuation-oriented concerns. The S&P 500 fell 2.5%, the Russell 2000 fell 2.9%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.8%.

How Big is Private Equity?

If you are a regular reader of any financial media outlet, then you've no doubt seen mentions of private equity (PE) firms. Maybe it's because a struggling company got taken private, like Toys "R" Us in 2005, or a major investment (or payout) some private equity group scored through venture or growth capital.

Energy Price Shocks

Recent frigid weather across the American South resulted in state emergencies, including in Texas where millions were without power and potable water for several days. And while Texas has an independent energy grid, the disruption to oil production and refineries was felt across global energy markets.

February 19, 2021 Weekly Market Recap

It was a good week for financial and energy stocks, as growth/inflation expectations increased, but it wasn't so great for the growth stocks that were previously supported by really low interest rates. The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.6%, the Russell 2000 fell 1.0%, and the S&P 500 fell 0.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.1%) ended the week slightly higher.

Move Over FAANG, It’s FANMAG Now

Collectively referred to by the FANMAG acronym, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft, Apple, and Google (now trading as Alphabet) all substantially outperformed the US market in the eight calendar years that they have all been public companies (Facebook went public in May 2012).

SECURE Act and CARES Act

Over the last 18 months, Congress implemented two significant bills that have impacted retirement savings accounts. The SECURE Act was a bi-partisan effort directed at improving the ability of American citizens to increase retirement savings. The CARES Act was passed in response to the economic turmoil caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Investor Optimism Seems Elusive, Yet Always Rewarded

Investors (and humans in general) often find it more natural to be pessimistic. After all, with one's hard-earned savings on the line, it's hard not to focus on what can go wrong. This is made worse by the vast number of negative events and attention-grabbing headlines every day. Also, it just sounds more sophisticated to be pessimistic. Investors that exude optimism are often dismissed as unsophisticated. Yet, this optimism is always rewarded in the long run.

February 5, 2021 Weekly Market Recap

The stock market rebounded swiftly from last week's decline, with the S&P 500 finishing higher in all five sessions and ending the week with a 4.7% weekly gain. The Russell 2000 gained 7.7%, the Nasdaq Composite gained 6.0%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.9%.

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Monthly Market Update: Rising Treasury Yields Cause Stocks & Bonds to Trade Lower

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