October 28, 2019 – S&P 500 Nearly Makes History
The Week on Wall Street The S&P 500 came within 0.1% of a record close Friday. Stocks were lifted last week by positive news on U.S.-China trade negotiations, plus earnings announcements. The Nasdaq Composite posted the largest weekly gain of the three major U.S. stock indices. It rose 1.90%. Last week also brought gains of […]
October 7, 2019 – Special Update: Quarterly Report
The Week on Wall Street The fourth quarter started with a mixed week for equities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.92% for the week; the S&P 500, 0.33%. In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite improved 0.54%. Overseas stocks pulled back: the MSCI EAFE index dipped 2.60%.[1][2] The Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index […]
Our Guide To Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Medical bills are among the largest and most unpredictable expenses, making savings accounts related to healthcare a critical component of a financial plan. The government has programs in place that allow us to save money for medical expenses through Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs. So, what exactly is HSA? This article will go into greater […]
Our Guide to Healthcare Costs in Retirement
The retirement period should be a time to relax and enjoy passions you couldn’t fully embrace during your career. However, working toward this ideal retirement is contingent upon having the financial resources to cover daily expenses and critical costs, particularly healthcare, which often becomes a primary concern as we age. In today’s article, we’ll discuss […]
Qualified Charitable Distribution
Did you know that there are exceptions to distributions from traditional IRAs being taxable in the year you receive them? There are several, including the Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”). A QCD is a reportable distribution of funds from your IRA that is made payable directly to a qualified charity, which is reported as a normal […]
Reasons for Optimism
We wish you a happy New Year and hope you were able to close out 2022 with friends and family. The beginning of a calendar year is often the time when the previous year’s reflections transition to a new year’s hopes. Given the market’s continued instability during 2022 and a resulting tough period for stock […]
Saving For College: Important 529 Plan Deadline
College is one of the most costly endeavors for many Americans. In 2024, an in-state student’s average cost of attending a four-year college was $27,146 per academic year. A private, non-profit university costs an average of $58,628 per academic year. With rising college costs, many people are saving for college with accounts, such as 529 plans, to […]
SECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement. The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it’s a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, passed in 2019. […]
September 16, 2019 – Dow Logs 8-Day Win Streak
The Week on Wall Street Stocks edged toward all-time peaks during a relatively calm week marked by easing trade tensions. Friday marked the eighth straight daily advance for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.[1] Small-cap shares, as tracked by the Russell 2000 index, rose 4.85% in five days. The S&P 500 improved 0.96% for the week, […]
September 23, 2019 – Stocks Stage a Modest Retreat
The Week on Wall Street Investors reacted to two major news items last week, one far more of a surprise than the other. The Federal Reserve did indeed make a rate cut, matching Wall Street expectations. Drone strikes on two of the world’s largest oil fields brought a shock to the global oil market. At […]