Like Treading Water Last year, the returns for most financial investment categories were flat to mildly negative. For a well-diversified portfolio of investments, the lack of progress for 2015 felt like treading water; basically going nowhere. I am sure most of you know how to swim and to tread water. Treading water takes a lot […]
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Quarterly Update: Now is the Time to Ask Why
Market UpdateOctober 6, 2015 Mike Kauffelt, Chief Investment Officer As I am sure most of you have noticed, over the past six weeks, the stock markets have had a difficult time. In the third quarter of this year, every major stock index in the US and internationally had a negative return. This pullback in stock performance has […]
Here We Go Again?
In the NewsThe title above does not refer to me taking my fifth daughter, Becca, off to her freshman year of college two weeks ago. It refers to the stock market correction that may have started at approximately the same time. However, upon reflection, the two events have more in common than you might first suspect. Each […]
Priced Into The Market — Quarterly Commentary
In the NewsMike Kauffelt Chief Investment Officer Bill Few Associates, Inc. The next time I hear another economic expert say an event (weather, GDP, Greece, Fed rate hike, etc.) is already priced into the market, I am going to throw something! Many investment experts believe the stock markets are forward-looking. This implies that investors have considered the […]
Financial Planning Tips For New Parents
In the Newsby John Nichols, CFP® Vice President Almost two years ago my wife and I had our first child, a beautiful daughter named Ella. Being nervous first time parents, we wanted to make sure we had everything necessary for Ella’s arrival and luckily for us, numerous websites give a checklist of “must have” baby items. Although […]
A Few Easy Steps Can Help Protect Against Identity Theft Damage
Identity Protection, In the Newsby ReShelle Barrett, CFP® Senior Vice President Once upon a time, we all thought we were safe by not putting personal information on the internet. That meant avoiding online shopping, electronic banking, or even communicating on social websites. Nowadays, if you basically breathe, you are exposed to identity thieves around the world. Even if you […]
1st Quarter Update for 2015
In the News, Investment Management, Market UpdateThree Strikes and You’re Out? I recall the wisdom relayed to me by a prominent weatherman for one of the local TV stations. He told me that no matter how hard he worked on his forecast or how strong his convictions were about the computer forecast, “I always stick my head outside and look at […]
Tips to Consider When Rolling Over Your 401(k)
Investment Management, Retirement Planningby ReShelle Barrett, CFP® Senior Vice President Most people have changed jobs or left the work force at some point. This likely means leaving 401(k) accounts with old employers. Although some plans require in-active participants to distribute their account if the balance is under minimum, most will give you several options. Discussing these options with […]
Necessary Change
In the NewsIf you are like me, as we get older, we realize that change can be frustrating. It happens when a favorite brand, service or website changes for what seems to be little reason, upsetting what had been a very comfortable relationship. For instance, one of the websites I visit frequently for timely information is Bloomberg […]
