Month: May 2021

Inflation Outlook for 2021

May 31, 2021

As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news attention as of late – inflation. Consumer prices are rising amidst economic recovery. In fact, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8% in April 2021, jumping by a greater-than-expected 4.2% year-over-year.1 (more…)

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The Fed’s Taper Rehearsal

May 24, 2021

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released the minutes of its April meeting last week. The report suggested that should the economy continue to make progress, it may be time to adjust the pace of the Fed’s monthly bond purchase program.1 (more…)

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Inflation Can Be a Scary Word

May 21, 2021

Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my income may stay the same.” (more…)

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How COVID-19 Caused a “She-Cession”

May 19, 2021

Several women-dominated industries were hit hardest by the pandemic.

Since the 1980s, unemployment rates have trended higher amongst men than women during a recession. In previous periods of economic downturn, this made sense. Male-dominated industries, like construction and finance, were typically some of the most impacted by a recession. (more…)

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Cyberattack and CPI Hit in the Wallet

May 17, 2021

A cyberattack shut down a major gas and energy pipeline supplying the East Coast of the United States for several days. The actual pipelines themselves are still functional and have since started running again, but it’s led to long lines and closed gas stations in many regions.1,2 (more…)



Buffett and Powell Talk Inflation

May 10, 2021

The Oracle of Omaha and the Fed Chair seem to be at odds

What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things?

In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,” investor Warren Buffett. As one of the nation’s richest people and most frequently sought opinions on business matters, he’s a voice that gets a great deal of attention. He says that prices are going up. (more…)

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2021 Retirement Confidence Survey

May 5, 2021

Will your retirement dreams match your reality?

That’s perhaps the most critical question to ask people who are currently retired. Was your retirement what you expected, or was it something else? (more…)



Market Update: Out of the Shadows

May 4, 2021

Market Update
Market Update

As the calendar has turned to May, the popular “Sell in May and Go Away” stock market cliché is getting a lot of airtime. This is the idea that the stock market tends to be weakest between May and October (and strongest between November and April). Stocks have done so well recently that preparing for a pause in the rally makes sense. A lot of good news is priced into stocks. Worries about the Federal Reserve tightening its monetary policy may intensify this summer as inflation picks up, potentially pushing interest rates higher. Tax increases are probably coming in 2022, and deficit spending continues largely unabated. (more…)



Investor Sentiment is Shifting

May 3, 2021

A recent survey charting investor sentiment shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for uncertainty in the future than anything else.1

There are many reasons for this change, but here are a few of the most impactful to keep in mind. (more…)



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