It hardly seems it but we are halfway through 2023. Just as unbelievable is that the stock market is having a good year. >> To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click on Subscribe! Something for Every Investor! The S&P500 is up just over 18%. The bond market has been ok too. There has been a lot…
How familiar are you with Preferred Stock? Preferred stock is a class of securities that is often overlooked by investors. It deserves consideration because preferreds have the characteristics of both fixed-income and equity securities. Preferred Stock in a Traditional Corporate Capital Structure In the capital structure, preferred stock is junior to company debt (bonds) but…
Since October 2022, the stock market has steadily climbed higher and is now up over 20% from those lows. This begs the question of whether we are now in a new Bull market. Let’s explore along with concerns about commercial real estate. >> To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click on Subscribe! Persistent Negativity Despite Upward…
Earnings season is well underway and, by most measures, companies are exceeding expectations. >> To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click on Subscribe! Q1 2023 Earnings: Better Than Expected According to FactSet, with 92% of S&P 500 companies reporting, 78% reported better than expected profits and 75% had revenue numbers that beat expectations. Overall, companies did…
CDs or Certificates of Deposit are popular again. With interest rates up, investors are once again rewarded for holding “safe” fixed-income instruments like FDIC-insured bank accounts and securities issued by the United States Treasury. That’s where CDs come in. CDs are a type of fixed-interest rate deposit offered by banks. Most CDs are backed by the…
Have you considered funding a Roth IRA for your child? To make a Roth contribution, your child must have earned income from a job. As a parent (or grandparent), you can contribute to this Roth IRA. Not only do you help your child get started on planning for retirement but you benefit by transferring assets…
There are two forces investors need to understand when determining the path of stock prices. The first is the Fed and the second is corporate earnings. >> To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click on Subscribe! Earnings, Interest Rates, and Stock Prices Stock prices are a function, among other items, of their estimated future earnings discounted…
Tax changes have implications and it’s a good idea to get an early start on tax planning for 2023. Understanding some of the new rules can help you as you go through the year. Here are some of the major tax changes for 2023. Beneficial 2023 Tax Items First, there are some beneficial tax items…
December 2022 was a bad month for stocks and bonds. The S&P500 fell 5.9% for the month. As measured by the intermediate corporate ETF, LQD, bonds were down 2.2%. A combination of uncertainty over rates and recession as well as a particularly aggressive tax-loss harvesting season hurt securities. >> To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click…
What value does financial planning brings to your life? Ultimately, it helps you plan for the unexpected in life so you remain financially sound. This article explores the different life stages, highlighting how planning can benefit you financially along the way. The Game of Life and Financial Planning at Every Age Are you familiar with…
