Markets 2025
The Federal Reserve Interest rate decision along with President Elect Trumps agenda is front and center. Will the Fed cut rates by another .25%? Last week, for the 4th month in a row the CPI increased .3%. Down significantly from our recent inflation highs, the math is not yet pointing to the Fed’s desire, a […]
Taxes, who pays?
Is the Income tax system truly fair? It depends on your knowledge of the system and your perspective. I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal, stating 38.3% of taxpayers paid 61% of all Federal Income Tax in 2022. Breaking it down, the top 1%, which represented 1.5 million returns, had an Adjusted […]
Home Stretch – What’s Next?
Home Stretch of 2024. Less than 7 weeks until we usher in 2025! The major US stock market indexes are enjoying double digit gains: The major international stock market index averages are trailing the US: Bond yields have remained range bound most of 2024, however the 10-year US Treasury ended last week with a yield […]
So What’s Next?
The Fed funds rate was cut .50% after holding steady since July 2023. After Fed Chair Powell announced the rate reduction, stocks shot higher with all major US stock indexes finishing over 1% for the week. Small cap stocks rose 2.47%. Bond yields were interesting, at least for a couple of days. Prior to the […]
Soft Landing?
A slowing economy without tipping into a recession is the current definition of a soft landing. Are we on pace? As of now, I vote the answer is yes, however, far too early to conclude. Inflation continues to modestly abate, as last week the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reported in line with expectations. Unemployment claims […]
Fed – Third Times a charm? Social Security – % Applying Early
The Chair of the Federal Reserve remains one of the most important positions in the global economy. I cannot imagine the various forms of pressure that filter into decision making. We are in a time of our economy, monetary policy needs to get it right. Looking back, Fed Chair Powell, in fall of 2018 was […]
Federal Reserve and Interest Rates
The stock and bond market are attempting to price in the “right” amount of Federal Reserve interest Rate cuts over the next several months. Powell and company next rate announcement will be on September 18th. Last week we heard both the Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reported as desired. The […]
Sea-Change in the Markets?
Was last week a one-off or the start of a sea-change? There have not been many weeks in 2024 when the Nasdaq has underperformed the other major stock indexes. The major economic news last week was the headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell .01 last month. The tame CPI report impacted investment returns last week […]
Social Security Survivor Benefits – Be Careful
Be careful who you ask, regarding the Social Security claiming rules. It can cost you money. Recently I enrolled a Divorced client for her Full Retirement Age, Retirement Benefit. Part of the data input on the Social Security website is about prior marriages, the time frame, and if the ex-spouse is alive. In this case, […]
