Interest Rate Cuts: Meeting An Uncommon Historical Moment Aug 29, 2024

 

We’re entering into an unusual moment in history. The Federal Reserve is set to lower interest rates within weeks of this writing. Fed Chair Powell said as much, expressing that “the time has come” for cuts at a recent FOMC press conference (source: CNBC). We’re...

Continue Reading...
As The U.S. Consumer Goes, So Goes The U.S. Economy financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for retirement financial planning for young professionals Jul 30, 2024

As The U.S. Consumer Goes, So Goes The U.S. Economy

If you were to look at how the S&P 500 performed during the month of July without context from current events in the news, you would guess July was pretty boring.

As of this writing, the market had a minor sell off in the latter half of the...

Continue Reading...
A Resilient Stock Market financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for retirement financial planning for young professionals mid-life financial planning Jun 20, 2024

As we reach the midpoint of 2024, the market is up. And it keeps going up! Economic indicators reveal a nuanced picture, with sectors experiencing varying degrees of growth amidst persistent uncertainties. Let’s delve into recent market trends and economic developments so you can better...

Continue Reading...
Is The Economy Still In for A Soft Landing? May 21, 2024

The market seems to think so.

The analogy of a soft landing refers to the Federal Reserve engineering the perfect timing of rate cuts such that inflation is tamed without causing a recession. According to the Wall Street Journal, “futures markets were pricing a 75.3% chance of one or more...

Continue Reading...
The Stock Market Is Strong. Should I Be Concerned? financial planning for retirement Apr 09, 2024

It's a fair question. Capital markets have outperformed so far this year. How do you interpret this? Let's look at the facts --

Despite jitters over persistent inflation data, the economy continues to hum along. Optimism for the long term within American business is strong. Unemployment continues...

Continue Reading...
Capital Markets Outlook 2024 financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for retirement financial planning for young professionals Feb 26, 2024

Investor fear was sky high a year ago. Then the market soared. What happened?

Early in 2023 we were beginning our recovery from a precipitous market decline, talk of runaway inflation and recession was a consistent theme, and a few mid-sized banks failed (though depositors were made whole, either...

Continue Reading...
Do You Still Want to Be a Lawyer? financial planning for attorneys Jan 04, 2024
What do I want my life to look like?

As a young attorney, once you have settled in your new job, you eventually should be asking yourself, What do I want my life to look like?  Now compare your current situation with that vision.

When I graduated from law school, I assumed that I would go...

Continue Reading...
The Market Roars Back Dec 22, 2023

If you were invested in the market since the beginning of November, you've made money. The Fed is currently holding interest rates steady, with the Fed Funds rate range between 5.25%-5.5%. But that isn't why markets have rallied of late. The Fed is forecasting 3 rate cuts in 2024. Markets soared...

Continue Reading...
How To Invest In A High Interest Rate Environment financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for retirement financial planning for young professionals Nov 06, 2023

The Fed is currently holding interest rates steady, with the Fed Funds rate range between 5.25%-5.5%.

Because of high interest rates, cash is hot. We haven’t seen interest rates on cash/cash equivalents this high since before the Great Financial Crisis. The Fed has also indicated that...

Continue Reading...
I Don't Need Grammarly! financial planning for retirement Oct 20, 2023

I’ve mentioned earlier that I had an excellent public education.  My high school was one of the finest in New England, and I had the best teachers of my academic career there.  My high school was in Guilford, CT – founded 1639.  Think about it – at the time of the...

Continue Reading...
Vocal Fry with Uptalk financial planning for retirement Oct 20, 2023

Kissinger and Kardashian

Anyone of my age remembers Henry Kissinger.  He was known for his shuttle diplomacy, and was always all over the news.  And he had the most annoying speaking voice ever – gravelly!  It almost hurt to listen for more than a few minutes. 

Years go...

Continue Reading...
The September Effect Oct 06, 2023

In September 2023, the S&P 500 index experienced its most significant monthly decline of the year, slumping by approximately 4.87%. This downturn was primarily attributed to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions and statements. The central bank surprised markets with a more hawkish...

Continue Reading...
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14