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Investor Mailbag: Hot topics
Why was the market down at the end of June? It seemed like it was going to rally back up.Markets ended their two-week rally in June after the Bureau of Economic Analysis released their March 3 estimate of the US real GDP growth for Q1,...
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The Earnings Crucible
After sharp equity market declines this year, many market observers are of the belief that the stock market is now “fairly valued.” We hear it all the time. Some people even say that the market is cheap. Usually, people who...
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Maximum Uncertainty
Several weeks ago, we wrote a piece called “Money Heaven.” In it, we considered how money is created and destroyed. To recap, money is destroyed via two primary mechanisms: 1) Asset Devaluation, and 2) Inflation. We also...
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Do you have a plan and is it robust enough?
We’ve been writing a lot this year about girding oneself for heightened uncertainty, heightened volatility, and market returns far below what many of us are accustomed to. This year has certainly provided a good measure of those...
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Thoughtfully Doing Nothing
This phrase captures an idea developed over the course of many years of collective institutional investment management experience during challenging performance periods not dissimilar to what we are experiencing today. The principle we...
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Market Volatility: Earnings Reports and Inflation Worries
Recently we have been discussing higher market volatility as market participants attempt to understand the inflationary threat (its duration and magnitude) and the Fed’s response. Uncertainty about these things is really at the...
Read MoreNFT Whats? Unpacking NFTs
One of the top searches on Google this year was the term 'NFT'.Given the explosive growth in interest, we thought a blog post about the topic would be appropriate as we say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022.TerminologyFirst off, NFT...
Read MoreThe F Word
Your Solution to Managing a 401(k) PlanHave you examined your fiduciary status in your book of business?Have you ever been asked to manage a 401(k) plan?Plan sponsors need advisors, too.Managing a 401(k) can be a lucrative business, as...
Read MoreMarket Commentary - October Recap
After a September pull-back, risk assets resumed their upward trajectory in October, with several equity indices recording record highs at month-end. Bonds posted losses in the quarter as interest rates moved up in response to...
Read MoreEvergrande Cheat Sheet
Evergrande Cheat Sheet Financial Markets had one of the worst days in months and also saw the VIX cresting just over 25. While many issues are percolating such as Delta variant fears, the Fed’s tapering to start later this year,...
Read MoreWith the End of Summer Ahead
The S&P 500 index rose 1.5% last week in a rally that sent the market benchmark above the 4,500 level for the first time as investors were relieved by comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell that they interpreted as a sign...
Read More"Investment Errors" with Erik Ogard, CFA®
My investment career began over thirty years ago. I have spent time on both the retail side and the institutional side of the business. Now I find myself in a position of leadership providing investment guidance and advice to...
Read MoreHistorical Perspective and Realistic Expectations
Investors have become somewhat complacent over the last decade as supportive government policies have led to strong stock market returns. Not only have investors become accustomed to strong positive returns with minimal drawdowns, but...
Read MoreMarket Commentary - August 11, 2021
The Senate adopted a bipartisan infrastructure bill that outlines $550B in new infrastructure spending. After decades of talk, and failed attempts by governments led by both sides of the aisle, this newly passed infrastructure spending...
Read MoreAugust: Summer Soporific
We are in the thick of things this week with about 60% of companies in the S&P 500 already reporting their Q2 results, with some of the bigger players like Apple and Amazon having reported last week. Beyond the remaining 40% of the S&P...
Read MoreStimulating Results
The S&P 500 index rose almost 3% last week to reach all-time highs yet again, as well as send the index back into the black for the month of June. That makes the return through Friday nearly 14% year to date. As the Federal Reserve...
Read MoreA Market Commentary - "Sell in May"
Hoping everyone had a great weekend and your summer is treating you well. From an investment perspective, we are fortunate that the markets continue to provide strong returns, but some uncertainty about overly frothy equity markets and...
Read MoreNFT’s: Another Crypto-Induced Fad?
Monday, March 22nd , 2021 “NFT’s: Another Crypto-Induced Fad?” NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have garnered a lot of attention recently due to their high sales volumes, which have topped $300mm in the past month. Most...
Read MoreInflation Expectations Highest Since 2008, Bond Yields Spike
Monday, March 8th, 2021 “Inflation Expectations Highest Since 2008, Bond Yields Spike” The U.S. economy is heating up. On Friday, U.S. payrolls increased by 379,000, well above estimates. One measure of U.S. manufacturing...
Read MoreCrypto Craze Goes Mainstream
Monday, March 1st, 2021 “Crypto Craze Goes Mainstream” Cryptocurrencies are one of the most polarizing topics in finance these days. It seems you are either an impassioned holder of one or more digital tokens, or on the...
Read MoreFundamental Strength in Market Leaders Overlooked Amidst Trading Frenzy
Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 “Fundamental Strength in Market Leaders Overlooked Amidst Trading Frenzy” The last few weeks have been a big test to those who still maintain faith in the efficient market hypothesis. Even...
Read MoreMeme Street vs. Wall Street: A Primer
Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 “Meme Street vs. Wall Street: A Primer” The past few weeks have been filled with stories of small investors (David) vs. hedge funds (Goliath), where an increasing amount small investors have come...
Read MoreA Brief Overview of the Federal Reserve’s First Meeting of 2021
Thursday, January 28th, 2021 “A Brief Overview of the Federal Reserve’s First Meeting of 2021” The Federal Reserve (‘FOMC’ or ‘the Fed’) had its first meeting of the year this week. As expected...
Read MoreFourth Quarter Market Perspective
Please click the link below to read the recently published Fourth Quarter Market Perspective from WealthPlan Partners. Fourth Quarter Market Perspective
Read MoreEmerging Markets: A Good Diversifier for an Uncertain Future?
Friday, January 15th, 2021 “Emerging Markets: A Good Diversifier for an Uncertain Future?” As we all know, 2020 was quite a year for the markets. Despite a Pandemic, lockdowns, and numerous other disruptions throughout the...
Read MoreStocks were a lone bright spot in 2020
Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 “Stocks were a lone bright spot in 2020” It is hard to believe that less than 10 months from a historic market selloff and an unprecedented economic shutdown, we are talking about an overheated...
Read MoreSecond Stimulus Bill to Propel Growth Next Year
Monday, December 28th, 2020 “Second Stimulus Bill to Propel Growth Next Year” It took a bit longer than expected, but we are finally getting the second major round of fiscal stimulus. After a standoff with Congress,...
Read Morenvesting at All-Time Highs in the Stock Market
Thursday, December 17th, 2020 “Investing at All-Time Highs in the Stock Market” “Is now a good time to invest this extra cash I have, even with the market at or near an all-time high? This is a common question we get,...
Read MoreA Record Year for Capital Raising in Corporate America
Thursday, December 10th, 2020 “A Record Year for Capital Raising in Corporate America” The U.S. economy is still facing major headwinds, with another 853,000 Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week, the highest...
Read MoreSmall Caps Have Best Month Ever as Investor Sentiment Spikes
Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 “Small Caps Have Best Month Ever as Investor Sentiment Spikes” The Russell 2000, an index of smaller capitalization companies, had its best monthly gain ever, rallying 18.3% in November. The Dow...
Read MoreSmall Caps Have Best Month Ever as Investor Sentiment Spikes
Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 “Small Caps Have Best Month Ever as Investor Sentiment Spikes” The Russell 2000, an index of smaller capitalization companies, had its best monthly gain ever, rallying 18.3% in November. The Dow...
Read MoreWhy Stocks Keep Going Higher
Friday, November 20th, 2020 “Why Stocks Keep Going Higher” As we anxiously await vaccine distribution, especially for those most at-risk, the virus continues to wreak havoc. COVID-19-related hospitalizations have...
Read MoreA Viable Vaccine and Post-Election Relief Fuel Market Rally
“A Viable Vaccine and Post-Election Relief Fuel Market Rally” The S&P 500 surged more than 7% last week, including a 2.2% jump on Wednesday which was the best post-election day rally on record. This morning, stocks are off...
Read MoreValues Continued Underperformance: What’s Up With That?
Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 “Values Continued Underperformance: What’s Up With That?” Given that the past few weeks have been filled with non-stop political ads across any medium that the various campaigns can reach...
Read MoreThird Quarter Earnings Mostly Exceed Estimates Thus Far
Monday, October 26th, 2020 “Third Quarter Earnings Mostly Exceed Estimates Thus Far” For stocks, it is all about expectations. Not necessarily if the news is good or bad, but was it better or worse than what we thought. So...
Read MorePending Home Sales Hit Record High in August
Monday, October 5th, 2020 “Pending Home Sales Hit Record High in August” Record low mortgage rates and a catch-up in purchase activity led to a strong recovery in the housing market to close out the summer. The National...
Read MoreMost stocks underperform over the long-term
Monday, September 28th, 2020 “Most stocks underperform over the long-term” It is no secret that a small number of companies are propping up the stock market this year, masking the impact the coronavirus has had on the U.S....
Read More2020 Election: What Really Matters?
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020 “2020 Election: What Really Matters?” The Coronavirus and resulting economic shutdown have dominated the news cycle this year. Now the uncertainty spotlight is shifting towards the upcoming...
Read MoreTech Stocks Finally Correct After Huge Run
After gaining over 75% from its March 23 low, the tech-led Nasdaq Composite finally corrected to start September, its worst two-week performance since the first quarter selloff. In just three trading days, the index shed 10%, which...
Read MoreStock Splits Back in Vogue
Two of the highest profile stocks, Apple and Tesla, are undergoing stock splits today. Most investors should be aware by now that a stock split does not make the total value of your share ownership higher post-split. After all, if you...
Read MoreTime to Revisit Inflation Risk?
Inflation is one of the most significant risks investor’s face. Even at fairly mild levels, it can destroy purchasing power in very little time. There are 2 inflationary episodes in ‘recent’ memory that explain a...
Read MoreFrom Peak to Trough to Peak in 175 Days
The S&P 500 has nearly completed a full recovery from the first quarter selloff, briefly jumping above its record closing level in yesterday’s trading session, just shy of the intra-day all-time high of 3,393. According to...
Read MoreBig Tech Earnings Defy Record Economic Slump
Q2 of 2020 marked the worst of the fallout from the Virus, as illustrated by the start of the shutdowns, historic levels of unemployment & job losses, hundreds of thousands of deaths, and numerous bankruptcies. So last Thursday when...
Read MoreThe Cost of Poor Market Timing in 2020
Monday, July 27th, 2020 “The Cost of Poor Market Timing in 2020” When uncertainty runs rampant, as it has for the past six months, it can be tempting for some investors to “sit on the sidelines” until things...
Read MoreRetail Sales Surge in June but Further Gains Will Be Challenged
Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 “Retail Sales Surge in June but Further Gains Will Be Challenged” Retail sales, ex-gas, jumped a seasonally adjusted 7.5% in the month of June, miraculously recovering back above pre-pandemic levels...
Read MoreSecond Quarter 2020 Market Perspective
Second Quarter 2020 Market Perspective
Read MoreLabor Market Recovery Continues with Record June Payrolls Report
A record 4.8 million jobs were added to the U.S. economy in June, bringing the unemployment rate down to 11.1%, from a peak of 14.7% in April. Over the past two months, 34% of the 22.2 million jobs lost from February to April have...
Read More“Stocks Close Out Historic Quarter with Increasing Optimism”
After the worst first quarter in the history of the Dow, the index snapped back with the best second quarter since 1938, and the best overall quarter since 1987. With the recent recovery, the index was only 9% down for the year, while...
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Reliving ReConnect 2019 - A WealthPlan Partners Event
WealthPlan Partners, an exclusive group of like-minded advisors, innovators and thought leaders who are committed to taking their practices to an elite level of success recently welcomed friends and colleagues to their 2019 ReConnect...
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