Blog
Latest NewsOur team of experts’ thoughts on investing and the financial markets.
A Guide to Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Restricted Stock Units can be a valuable part of your compensation, but they come with important tax and planning considerations. This guide explains how RSUs work, when they become taxable, and strategies to help manage risk.
S&P 500: Price-to-Earnings
Market valuations have rebounded sharply since the April tariff-related selloff, pushing the S&P 500 back toward historically elevated levels. Here’s a look at where P/E ratios stand today, what investor optimism may be signaling, and why volatility could return as we move into late summer and fall.
The Power of a Portfolio
A well-structured investment portfolio can help build long-term wealth, improve financial flexibility, and create more stable cash flow over time. From diversification and liquidity to retirement planning strategies like 401(k)s, understanding how portfolios work is an important step toward achieving greater financial freedom.
Downgrades and Deficits
Moody’s recent downgrade of the U.S. credit rating highlights growing concerns around rising debt, fiscal policy, and long-term economic sustainability. While Treasury markets and the U.S. dollar remain deeply entrenched in the global financial system, investors should still be mindful of the risks tied to deficits, inflation, and future market volatility.
Do as I say, not as I do -The Fed
The Federal Reserve paused interest rate hikes for the first time since March 2022, while still signaling the possibility of additional increases later this year. Here’s a look at what the Fed’s mixed messaging may reveal about inflation, the economy, and where monetary policy could be headed next.
Jerome Powell, in his own words.
As the Federal Reserve prepared to raise interest rates again in early 2023, growing signs from the bond market and yield curve inversion suggested recession risks were mounting beneath the surface. This article explores what Chairman Powell’s own comments may reveal about the economy, future rate cuts, and the shifting balance between fighting inflation and responding to slowing growth.
Market Q&A
From inflation and interest rates to market volatility and recession concerns, investors have faced no shortage of uncertainty in recent years. This Q&A-style article addresses several of the most common financial and economic questions we’ve been hearing from clients and investors alike.
Price & Value
Price and value are not always the same in investing, especially during periods of heightened market optimism or fear. This article explores the difference between what an investment costs and what it may actually be worth, highlighting the importance of valuation, discipline, and long-term perspective in portfolio management.
The Truth About Long-Term investing
Long-term investing is often portrayed as simple, but staying disciplined through market cycles can be far more challenging in practice. This article explores the realities of long-term investing, including volatility, patience, and the importance of maintaining perspective during both strong and difficult market environments.
The Case for Individual Bonds
Individual bonds can provide predictable income, defined maturity dates, and greater control over fixed income investments. This article explains the case for using individual bonds within a portfolio and how they may help investors manage interest rate risk and preserve capital during uncertain market environments.
Let’s Talk About Value
Growth investing often receives the spotlight during strong markets, but value investing remains an important long-term strategy for many investors. This article explores what “value” means in investing, how valuation impacts portfolio decisions, and why discipline and patience matter when markets become expensive.
Know Your Retirement Plan Options
Choosing the right retirement plan is an important part of building long-term financial security. This article reviews common retirement plan options available to employees, business owners, and self-employed individuals, along with key factors to consider when developing a retirement savings strategy.
Tackle Your Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt can have a significant impact on long-term financial planning, affecting everything from cash flow to retirement savings goals. This article explores important considerations for managing student loans while balancing broader financial priorities and future wealth-building strategies.
Be Generous With Your IRA Withdrawals
Charitable giving strategies involving IRA withdrawals may offer meaningful tax advantages for retirees and philanthropically minded investors. This article explains how qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) and other IRA withdrawal strategies can help support charitable goals while potentially reducing taxable income.
Powerful tools for the self-employed and business owner
Self-employed individuals and business owners often have unique opportunities to build wealth and reduce taxes through specialized financial planning strategies. This article highlights several powerful tools that can help entrepreneurs maximize retirement savings, improve tax efficiency, and strengthen long-term financial security.
Firms Threaten to Pull Business if Fiduciary Rule is Set
Debate surrounding the fiduciary rule created uncertainty across the financial services industry, with some firms warning they could scale back services or products if the rule moved forward. This article examines the potential impact of the fiduciary rule on investors, advisors, and the broader financial marketplace.
Midterm Madness and the Markets
Election cycles often create uncertainty for investors, but market performance is influenced by far more than political headlines alone. This article explores how midterm elections can affect investor sentiment, historical market trends, and why maintaining a long-term investment perspective remains important during periods of political volatility.
Why we use individual bonds vs bond mutual funds
Bonds play an important role in diversification and income generation, but investors have several ways to gain exposure to fixed income markets. This article explains why individual bonds may offer advantages over bond mutual funds in certain situations, particularly when it comes to interest rate risk, predictability, and portfolio control.
How can I put money to work in these market conditions?
Investing during uncertain market conditions can be challenging, especially when volatility and economic headlines create hesitation. This article explores practical strategies for putting cash to work thoughtfully while balancing risk, opportunity, and long-term investment goals.
What investors should know about the Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule
The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule introduced significant changes aimed at increasing transparency and strengthening protections for retirement investors. This article explains what the fiduciary rule means, how it impacts financial advisors and retirement accounts, and what investors should understand moving forward.
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