Better Q1 2023 Earnings + Perspective on Banks

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…

Brokered CDs Vs Bank Certificates of Deposit

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…

Funding a Roth IRA For Your Child

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…

What Determines Stock Prices?

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…

The Implications of Tax Changes: Start Early!

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…

A Bad Month for Stocks and Bonds

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…

How Financial Planning Helps You Navigate Lifestages

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…

Third Quarter Earnings and Prospects for 2023

The markets have bounced following a lousy September on the heels of corporate earnings, steady employment, and an October CPI that showed inflation may be cooling.  Both stocks and bonds have had big daily swings as money flows react to each piece of economic data.  >> To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click on Subscribe! Third…

Why Choose a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner

CFP stands for Certified Financial Planner. This article explains why you should always choose a Certified Financial Planner to work with. Reprinted by PermissionCopyright © 1998-2001, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. All rights reserved. Choosing a financial planner may be one of the most important decisions you make for yourself and your loved…

Negative Surprises in Bear Markets

The bear market is still alive and well, and full of surprises. I read a Tweet posted by long-time technical analyst Walter Deemer that said, “In a bear market, the surprises tend to be negative.” >> To subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click on Subscribe! Stronger Consumer Price Index & Wild Dow Jones Swings This was…