Month: August 2021

Distracted Americans During Covid

Aug 30, 2021

Consumer Habits during Covid
Consumer habits are changing as we spend more time at home

Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and communicate have drastically changed, to say the least. (more…)

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The Federal Reserve Can’t Keep a Secret

Aug 27, 2021

Federal Reserve
Are the Fed presidents telling tales out of school?

If you have a secret, don’t tell anyone at the Federal Reserve Bank. They may leak the story before you’d like.

In early August, multiple regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents hit the speaking tour. (more…)

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Mixed Signals on Inflation

Aug 25, 2021

Inflation Stock market signals
What to know as markets look forward

Are you having a tough time keeping track of mixed inflation signals? You’re not alone.

Consumer prices in July climbed at their fastest rate since August 2008. Worse, producer prices, which can be an indicator of future price changes at the consumer level, rose at the highest rate since tracking began.1 (more…)

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Will Air Travel Problems Persist?

Aug 23, 2021

Air travel departures
How might these problems affect you?

The airline industry plotted a course for recovery in 2021, but recent difficulties may have put that plan into a holding pattern. Air travel in 2021 is far from that path of recovery anybody was hoping for. (more…)

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Fixed Index Annuities

Aug 18, 2021

Dropping money in a piggy bank
What are they? How do they work?

What is a fixed index annuity? Don’t let the investment jargon put you off, Fixed Index Annuities are simpler than they sound. A Fixed Index Annuity is a tax-favored accumulation product issued by an insurance company. However, unlike fixed deferred interest rate annuities, a Fixed Index Annuity’s annual growth is tied to a market index like the Standard & Poor’s 500 rather than an interest rate. (more…)

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A Wall of Worry

Aug 13, 2021

Stock market worry
You’ve got plenty of choices these days.

Have you ever heard the Wall Street expression, “markets climb a wall of worry?”

It’s the idea that financial markets are constantly on edge. Traders fret about how long a market rally can continue before it runs into trouble. Worry shifts from one news event to the next as traders attempt to build a case whether it’s time to go “risk-off” with a portfolio strategy.1 (more…)



Direct Indexing

Aug 11, 2021

Direct Indexing
An old way to manage a portfolio is getting some new attention

“Indexing” is a familiar phrase in investment jargon, and a familiar concept. Money managers structure certain investment vehicles to contain all of the stocks within a particular Wall Street index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index. This equity exposure may fit the investment strategy for some investors depending on their risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.  (more…)

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Expanded Child Tax Credit

Aug 9, 2021

Child Tax Credit Post it note
Changes made for this year

The federal government has upgraded its Child Tax Credit. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act, there are four notable differences in effect for the 2021 tax year only.1 (more…)

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The Cost of a Gold Medal

Aug 6, 2021

Olympic Gold Medal
The actual value of this metal

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics wrap up with closing ceremonies on August 8, and it’s been an Olympic games like no other. We’ve watched the world’s finest athletes go for the gold. Which leads many to wonder: what exactly goes into a gold medal, and how much are they worth? (more…)

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Chinese Markets Under Pressure

Aug 4, 2021

Chinese stock market faces pressure

With overseas investments, we remind people that, “international markets carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risk, foreign taxes and regulations.” The Chinese markets are no exception to that. (more…)

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