With the inflation we have experienced over the past few years, investing in gold as an asset class has returned to the forefront. It has had positive annual returns in 2023, 2024, and so far in 2025. The gains have been impressive. Owning Gold: Easy or Difficult? Years ago, it was difficult for investors…
The Federal budget is back in the headlines as the failure to reach a new funding agreement has shut down the government. This adds to a year in which policies surrounding trade, taxes, immigration, and other subjects have created uncertainty for the economy and markets. Despite all this, the markets have climbed “the wall of…
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 also benefit by transferring…
If you’re a committed investor, you are most probably counting on time to help you build the wealth to meet specific goals. And, since you have a long-term window in mind, you’ll want to follow these tips to help you be ready for tax time. The Biggest Tax Concern for Investors? The biggest source of…
How do you look at risk in your investing decisions? Thinking about the markets, I thought of a lecture I attended where legendary investor Howard Marks discussed how he looks at risk. His insights in this regard are always relevant and especially noteworthy in today’s market. The Risk of Holding an Asset Marks’ first observation…
Business cycles play a significant role in financial planning. Why? Because they are inevitable and have distinct phases, as I discuss below. Understandably, I have received many calls from clients concerned with the recent stock market decline. The post-election rally has “round-tripped” and then some. The uncertainties of the times have given many investors a…
Investor concerns over the recent underperformance of technology stocks have raised questions about concentration risk and the broader market. Strong returns among artificial intelligence stocks have supported portfolios over the past few years. At the same time, they have raised questions about the sustainability of the market rally. Concerns for tech stocks primarily include concentration…
Here follow perspectives on the market given a nervous start to 2025 to help set expectations for your investment portfolio. Concerns About the Stock Market in 2025 The stock market has struggled in recent weeks as concerns have grown around interest rates, market valuations, the direction of the economy, and more. Some industry sectors, like…
What would you say to resolutions that simply require attention at the beginning of the year to provide you with value? That’s what you’ll find with the 9 financial resolutions detailed below. Unlike traditional New Year resolutions that often wind up abandoned before January’s even over, these aren’t too time-consuming, complicated, or unpleasant to stick…
Rising oil prices tend to conjure frightening thoughts: rampant inflation, and rising transportation and energy costs. You might even flashback to the 1973 Arab oil embargo and how it led to severe gasoline shortages… Yet, rising oil prices can also be a natural byproduct of healthy growing economies. Middle East Conflict and Oil Prices With…
