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Monday, October 2, 2023

After a difficult September for stocks, investors are surely ready to flip the calendar to October. That’s the month that kicks off the historically strong fourth quarter. Expecting this pattern to repeat this year is tricky...

Monday, October 2, 2023

Economists have been predicting a recession for the U.S. economy ever since the Federal Reserve began aggressively raising interest rates in 2022. This is Econ 101. High interest rates, which make it more expensive to borrow, are...

Monday, September 25, 2023

We live in a society in which people are trying to do more each day. Both work and life are worthy competitors for time. Yet the complex demands of modern society have redefined the notion of work-life balance. Work-life balance has...

Monday, September 18, 2023

Recent data suggests economic conditions in Europe are deteriorating, removing a key element of LPL Research’s positive view of the attractively valued developed international equities asset class. Previous U.S. dollar weakness...

Monday, September 18, 2023

Old age is a natural part of life, a stage that reflects the accumulation of years, experiences, and wisdom. Often, it is also a period of renewed freedom, providing an opportunity to engage in activities such as traveling, pursuing...

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Monday, September 11, 2023

The BRIC acronym, without the “S,” was introduced in 2001 by the Goldman Sachs chief economist who highlighted the prodigious growth and investment prospects of Brazil, Russia, India, and China combined. In 2009, Russia...

Sunday, September 10, 2023

As the digital age reshapes traditional norms, a dramatic shift in the sources of financial advice is emerging among young investors. Betterment, a leading online investment company, recently surveyed 1,200 investors from Gen Z to baby...

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Fixed income investors have had a rough time over the last few years. Normally a staid asset class, core bonds (as proxied by the Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index) have seen negative returns over the last two calendar years and could...

Monday, September 4, 2023

As the saying goes, "50 is the new 40"—and with Americans living longer than ever before, it's not unusual for those in their 50s, 60s, or even 70s to be in their peak earning years.1 But for those who would prefer the...

Monday, August 28, 2023

The Federal Reserve (Fed) often uses the Jackson Hole Symposium to announce tweaks in policy. Other central bank leaders are also worth watching as investors try to perceive where rates will be in the coming months. In this piece, we...

Monday, August 28, 2023

Some life transitions, such as a career change or marriage, are planned, but a job loss or divorce can be sudden and unexpected. One common thread that accompanies all transitions, however, is the concern about whether there will be...

Monday, August 28, 2023

Why is the preparation of financial statements important during the divorce process?Before a reasonable property settlement can be negotiated, it's important for both spouses in a divorce to disclose all assets, liabilities, sources of...

Monday, August 21, 2023

Volatility has returned right on queue as U.S. equity markets continue to pull back from overbought levels. The recent jump in interest rates has proven to be too much too fast for stocks to absorb, especially for the heavyweight and...

Monday, August 21, 2023

Few life changes are of more consequence than a divorce. In addition to the financial and emotional difficulties, you'll face special concerns about your insurance coverage. Planning for these changes should begin long before the...

Monday, August 14, 2023

It’s different this time. The four (or five) most dangerous words in investing. We’ll take the risk and use those words here as we break down the recent decision by credit rating agency Fitch to downgrade U.S. government...

Monday, August 14, 2023

What is credit?   When you say you want credit, you are probably asking for payment terms on a purchase. You are seeking to purchase goods or services today and forego all or a portion of the payment until a later date. You may or...

Monday, August 7, 2023

Earnings season is mostly behind us with about 85% of S&P 500 companies having reported second quarter results. The high level results aren’t particularly impressive, but if we peel back the onion, the numbers are encouraging....

Monday, July 31, 2023

The economy is doing better than expected, and the markets are responding accordingly. In this piece, we discuss some of the factors that cause us to think the Federal Reserve (Fed) hiked for the last time in this cycle as inflation...

Monday, July 31, 2023

Nowadays, many people consider investing to be about more than just money. As consumers become increasingly concerned about rising fuel costs, extreme weather conditions, and peaking home energy demands, they’re putting more...

Monday, July 24, 2023

The first half of the year probably didn’t go the way many fixed income investors had hoped, particularly after the historically awful year last year. It wasn’t a horrible start—more in line with recent...

Monday, July 24, 2023

As we navigate the aftermath of the "Great Resignation," a unique phenomenon is making headlines – the resurgence of "boomerang employees," those who leave a company only to return later.In the early days of the post-pandemic job...

Monday, July 17, 2023

Earnings season is upon us as some banks and a small handful of other blue chip companies have already reported results for their quarters ending June 30. The results on the surface probably won’t offer much to write home about...

Monday, July 17, 2023

In the world of sports and finance, excellence often stems from meticulous planning, strategic decision-making, and effective teamwork. While golf and asset allocation may seem worlds apart, there are remarkable similarities between a...

Monday, July 10, 2023

With the average price for private college tuition and fees hitting $43,750 for the 2021-2022 school year and public college attendees paying more than $28,000 per year, many parents are nervously anticipating what will happen after...

Monday, July 3, 2023

The long dormant capital markets have recently begun showing signs of interest from institutional investors and deal makers anxious to bring companies to market. While activity remains muted at best, expectations are focused on 2024,...

Monday, July 3, 2023

Today, veterinary practices are responsible for treating millions of animals, large and small. The livestock industry alone is around $80 trillion. But when most people think about veterinarian practices, they think about the smaller...

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Despite relatively low mortgage rates and dreams of bidding wars, multiple offers and all-cash closings above asking-price, would-be-home-purchasers should be cautious about putting too much money into real estate. While some might...

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

We know it’s old news at this point, but on June 8, 2023, the S&P 500 entered a new bull market. After such a strong rally off the October lows, this young bull probably needs a breather. A look at the charts suggests...

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

As the economy is likely downshifting, investors should take heed that the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) current stance is eerily similar to early 2007.  During that time, the Fed held a tightening bias since they believed the...

Monday, June 19, 2023

Young adults starting out in life, especially newlyweds, need insurance. But what kind? As a start, a good term life policy likely is a smart move. Other types of insurance may not be. And as they age, what other varieties of coverage...

Monday, June 12, 2023

The Federal Reserve (Fed) meets this week where it is largely expected to not raise short term interest rates for the first time in 15 months. However, Fed messaging has been all over the place in recent weeks. While some Fed...

Monday, June 12, 2023

Whether it’s along a roaring coastline or nestled next to a lethargic lake, owning waterfront property is a luxury many homebuyers dream of. However, it isn’t as simple as finding a home and moving in. Homeownership requires...

Monday, June 5, 2023

Stocks have had a nice run, but at higher prices, the bar for further gains gets higher. We have recently made the case in this publication that there are a lot of reasons to expect the market to go higher between now and year end. But...

Monday, June 5, 2023

After retirement, you may find you have more time on your hands than you first anticipated. If you are looking for something to fill your downtime that may be fulfilling and beneficial to your health and wellbeing, community service...

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

The mega-cap technology companies have powered the broad market higher this year. In fact, the 8.1% gain in the S&P 500 year to date has been driven entirely by six mega-cap stocks: Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), NVIDIA (NVDA), Meta...

Monday, May 29, 2023

Data breaches are far too common. They can affect hundreds of millions or sometimes billions at one time. From Yahoo's breach of more than three billion user profiles in 2013 to LinkedIn's breach of 700,000 profiles in June...

Monday, May 22, 2023

Economists like to remind us there is no such thing as a free lunch. In investment parlance, that just means all investments carry risk—even cash. And the big risk with cash is reinvestment risk. That is, while short-term rates...

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Both Payable on Death (POD) and Transfer on Death (TOD) are designation instructions that you add to registrations on financial accounts or property records to help avoid probate. These designations are merely a set of directions to...

Monday, May 15, 2023

First quarter earnings season is nearly complete, and it has caused us to regret titling our earnings preview commentary on April 10, “Malaise Continues.” While the “better than feared” label fit the past couple...

Saturday, May 13, 2023

A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan—an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right...

Monday, May 8, 2023

Much has been written lately about the threats facing the reserve currency status enjoyed by the U.S. dollar. “De-dollarization” headlines appear on a near-daily basis, suggesting the dollar’s reign is in looming...

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Whether you're hoping to retire soon or are just beginning to explore the idea of stepping back from your job, you're probably wondering how to make it happen. Will you have enough money? How will you spend your time? What will you do...

Monday, May 1, 2023

“Sell in May and go away” is probably the most widely cited stock market cliché in history. Every year a barrage of Wall Street commentaries and stories in the financial press floods in about this popular, but overused...

Saturday, April 29, 2023

You may have lost your job already, or it's something you're concerned about. Either way, the keys to surviving a job loss financially are to plan ahead, take stock of your income, and cut your expenses.Plan aheadIf you haven't been...

Monday, April 24, 2023

Investors use various analogies to describe the importance of small businesses in the domestic economy. Some refer to the small business sector as the backbone or the lifeblood of the economy.  At this current stage of the cycle,...

Saturday, April 22, 2023

As our population ages, discussions about long-term care (LTC) and who pays for it are essential. LTC is ongoing care in a care facility, nursing home, or at home for those unable to perform a certain number of activities of daily...

Monday, April 17, 2023

The commercial real estate (CRE) market has recently captured the spotlight after being flagged as the next potential shoe to drop following last month’s banking turmoil. While rising rates have weighed on financing costs and the...

Saturday, April 15, 2023

What is a nursing home? A nursing home is a state-licensed facility that may provide skilled nursing care, intermediate care, and/or custodial care. You may need to enter a nursing home on a short-term basis (for example, after a major...

Monday, April 10, 2023

First quarter earnings season kicks off this week with some big banks reporting toward the end of the week. In some ways this quarter’s earnings season will probably be déjà vu all over again—earnings declines and...

Saturday, April 8, 2023

When it comes to personal finance, there are a number of competing priorities that can make it difficult to determine where to focus your efforts. For many people, the choice between building emergency savings and working towards their...

Monday, April 3, 2023

Financial markets and the Federal Reserve are reading from two different playbooks. Who is right? The markets are pricing in several rate cuts by the end of this year, while the Federal Reserve communicated more rate hikes with an...

Saturday, April 1, 2023

A Backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy that allows individuals who earn too much to directly contribute to a Roth IRA to still contribute to one indirectly. The strategy takes advantage of a loophole in the tax code that allows individuals...

Monday, March 27, 2023

A lot has changed in the past few weeks, both in terms of expectations for interest rates and lost confidence in the health of the banking system as a result of the sharp rise in interest rates that has led to some things...

Saturday, March 25, 2023

The murkiest part of estate planning is to discuss when and how to distribute your assets to your heirs. This process requires a series of considerations and trade-offs to avoid emotion-laden family problems.For many, focusing on the...

Monday, March 20, 2023

The Federal Reserve (Fed) has a history of raising short-term interest rates until something “breaks.” Considering the Fed has raised rates from a near-zero level to 4.75% (upper bound) over the course of only one year, it...

Saturday, March 18, 2023

When planning for the potential cost of long-term care, you've probably considered long-term care insurance. But premiums can be expensive, and if you do buy the coverage, you probably hope you never have to use it. The prospect of...

Monday, March 13, 2023

Last week did not play out how we anticipated. Coming into the week, it was all about Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony and the February jobs report. Instead, we got a shockingly fast collapse of...

Saturday, March 11, 2023

If a disabling illness or injury were to prevent you from working for weeks, months, or even years, how would you support yourself and your family? If disability strikes, you may discover that your most valuable asset isn't your home...

Monday, March 6, 2023

Suggesting an economy makes “no landing” makes no sense. Analogies eventually break down, especially this one. Economic activity does not stop like an airplane eventually does, but rather the economy will settle into a...

Saturday, March 4, 2023

What goes into a lender's decision to extend credit? How do lenders decide how much credit to offer? Although the answers may vary from day to day and lender to lender, there are common factors that all lenders consider when making...

Monday, February 27, 2023

While concerns about the debt ceiling have been increasing, markets, businesses, and the economy are likely to see only minimal impact until we are days, or maybe a few weeks, from the “x date,” the date on which the...

Saturday, February 25, 2023

What is the reasonableness test? When forecasting what the future might bring, whether in terms of income or expenses, it is always prudent to ask what is actually reasonable to expect. The question is simple, but the answer, often, is...

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Markets have adjusted to several changes this year. The pace at which inflation has cooled is slowing. The market has started to believe the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) “higher for longer” message. The bar for earnings...

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Insurance is a great way to protect yourself and your loved ones from high or unexpected costs. There are several different types of policies that you can purchase for different purposes, but here’s a closer look at how you can...

Monday, February 13, 2023

Soft landing or no soft landing, that is the question, with all due respect to William Shakespeare. But while this may be the most commonly asked question these days, it may not be the most important or the toughest. That honor goes to...

Saturday, February 11, 2023

More than half of Americans don't have a will, even though most agree that wills are a good idea. For caregivers, planning ahead for their unexpected death is even more critical since the people who depend on their services will likely...

Monday, February 6, 2023

Investors got more excited about international investing late last year. Some of that was chasing better returns, as developed international equities solidly beat the U.S. over the last three months of 2022. Some was the increased...

Saturday, February 4, 2023

What are the creditor implications of using trusts?Certain types of trusts can protect your assets from future claims of creditors and future lawsuits. Trusts that have this protective feature are often referred to as asset protection...

Monday, January 30, 2023

The script has been flipped in 2023. Last year’s underperformers have turned into outperformers this year, driving the S&P 500 Index up over 5% this month. The pace and composition of the rally have left many investors skeptical...

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Amid the 1,650-page, $1.7 trillion omnibus spending legislation passed by Congress last week and expected to be signed by President Biden were several provisions affecting work-sponsored retirement plans and, to a lesser degree, IRAs....

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

The latest episode of the debate between stock market bulls and bears has gotten more interesting. For every valid point from one side, there’s an equally compelling argument on the other side. Perhaps the best reason for the...

Saturday, January 21, 2023

For more than 150 years, American college football has maintained its top-dog status in the U.S. sporting arena. On November 6, 1869—a mere four years after the end of the American Civil War—players from Rutgers and...

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Fourth quarter earnings season is underway and probably won’t bring much good news. Lackluster global growth, ongoing profit margin pressures from inflation, and negative currency impacts are likely to translate into a...

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Buying a home may be stressful, whether it is your first home or a subsequent one. One way to make the home-buying process easier that may cause less anxiety is by being aware of common home-buying mistakes and how to avoid them. Here...

Monday, January 9, 2023

We believe accountability and modesty are among the keys to success in this business. In striving for those qualities, LPL Research has a tradition of starting off a new year with a lessons learned commentary. We got some things wrong...

Saturday, January 7, 2023

The pending legislation for the proposed retirement reform, better known as the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act 2.0, is expected to be passed into law by the end of 2022. In March of this year, the...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

2022 was a dizzying year as markets and the global economy continued to find itself out of balance due to the still present aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the policy response to it. If 2022 was about recognizing imbalances...

Saturday, December 31, 2022

 Today, many individuals are finding it necessary to help elderly parents or relatives manage their personal finances. One area of particular concern is property management. This issue may arise when seniors reach their late...

Saturday, December 24, 2022

During your working years, you've probably set aside funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other workplace savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings...

Monday, December 19, 2022

The Federal Reserve (Fed) wrapped up its last Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of the year last week, where it hiked short-term interest rates for the seventh time in as many meetings, taking the fed funds rate to 4.5%...

Saturday, December 17, 2022

When was the last time you gave yourself a financial checkup? As the saying goes, there’s no time like the present. This is especially true when it comes to reviewing the current state of your finances and figuring out what you...

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Despite the S&P 500 Index starting December with five consecutive days of losses, we think December is down but not out. December often starts slow but historically has been a strong month. There are also some potentially supportive...

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Whether you're a veteran or just starting out in the military, planning and preparing your estate is of vital importance. Why is estate planning so critical?Because, at your death, you leave behind the people you love and all your...

Monday, December 5, 2022

Economic and corporate data support the initial strong reads on holiday retail sales despite the macro headwinds, reinforcing the idea that today’s consumer is in a better position than usual at this point in the business cycle....

Sunday, December 4, 2022

What is it?An installment sale, sometimes used when a small business or real estate is sold, is defined as a sale of property where at least one payment is to be received after the close of the tax year in which the sale occurs. In...

Sunday, November 27, 2022

What is family wealth, and how do you preserve it? You have worked hard for years and accumulated wealth. You earned this money through your job, investing, and saving, and you want to preserve it for yourself and to take care of...

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Recent inflation data has tempered expectations for future Federal Reserve tightening, including a potential peak in the terminal rate near 5.0% in May or June of 2023. While the market has welcomed this news, history suggests the path...

Thursday, November 17, 2022

As you take a moment to reflect upon all of the things that bring you comfort and joy this holiday season, consider giving back to those in need. Whether you are participating in an organized fundraiser or diving headfirst into your...

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

The growth vs. value debate has been pretty one-sided in 2022, with value outperforming growth for a sustained period for the first time in almost 15 years. However, the debate is heating up as investors begin to consider whether the...

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Elon Musk has finally completed his US$44 billion deal to acquire Twitter and take it private. The world’s richest man has already begun putting his imprint on the social network by firing four of its top executives. While most...

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Midterm elections are upon us, with Election Day on Tuesday. Republicans are strongly favored to win the House, and the Senate is roughly a tossup. We believe either outcome would be market-friendly, although the bigger market driver...

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Shifts in tax brackets as well as the standard deduction slated for 2024. On October 18, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax year 2023 adjustments for tax returns filed in 2024.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

With a series of important economic indicators suggesting the economy is declining and inflation is finally decelerating, albeit very slowly, markets are beginning to factor in that the Fed may soon transition to a less aggressive...

Monday, October 24, 2022

If the U.S. economy enters a recession, the causes and potential outcomes will be hotly debated. At LPL Research, our starting point is always looking at history. This week’s commentary will remind us of three things we know...

Monday, October 24, 2022

Bear markets are painful, but they are also part of the investment process. Bull markets happen. Bear markets happen. Just stick to your financial plan, and stay calm and disciplined. When the market sours or slumps, don’t...

Monday, October 17, 2022

Bonds may not be as glamorous as stocks or commodities, but they are a significant component of most investment portfolios. Bonds are traded in huge volumes every day, but their full usefulness is often underappreciated and...

Monday, October 10, 2022

As Federal Reserve (Fed) officials continue to emphasize the Fed’s commitment to restoring price stability, the dollar marches ever higher. Markets are currently pricing in another 75-basis point rate hike at the November 2 Fed...

Monday, October 10, 2022

Money is always an emotional subject and when our emotions get involved with our investments we often make wrong decisions. And that can be a costly mistake. Yet while the financial industry is constantly preaching that "Past...

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

On October 16, China will begin its 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing. This plenum is especially significant because it is expected that President Xi Jinping will be granted an unprecedented third term,...

Monday, October 3, 2022

“Money makes money. And the money that money makes, makes money.” Since the beginning of the year, economists and pundits seem united in the belief that economic growth will continue to contract, propelling inflation and...

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

If you plan to gift a sizable amount of money to a loved one, gift tax should be on your radar. Gift tax is a federal tax imposed on transfers of cash or property valued above a certain threshold. Gift tax is paid by the gift giver,...

Monday, September 26, 2022

The LPL Research Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee is increasing its recommended interest rate exposure in its tactical allocation from underweight to neutral. Now that interest rates have moved substantially higher, we...

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

At first glance, multigenerational living arrangements may seem unusual, but they were once the rule, not the exception. In mid- to late-nineteenth-century America, the majority of elderly parents and grandparents lived with their...

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Inflationary dynamics continue to surprise to the upside, and markets now expect the Fed to pursue one of its most aggressive rate hiking campaign in years. U.S. Treasury yields continue to move higher as well. We think we’ve...

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Even if you never thought of yourself as especially wealthy, there may be a fair chance that you fall into the category of "high net worth individuals"—those who have liquid assets of $1 million or more. For many individuals who...

Monday, September 12, 2022

Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell reiterated his warning that getting inflation under control will require some pain. Powell is likely making these warnings based on the arcane, clunky relationship between inflation and unemployment....

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Couples usually don’t retire at the same time when they have an ‘age gap’ between them. An age gap relationship is one where there is eleven or more year’s age difference between them. Age-gap relationships are...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

The difficult 2022 for stocks may not get much easier because as we now wait for better news on the inflation front, we have to contend with a seasonally weak month of September. While we got some welcome news in Friday’s jobs...

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Earnings growth of 6-7% doesn’t sound very exciting, but given the challenges corporate America has faced, we consider the nearly-complete second-quarter earnings season a resounding success. The numerous challenges last quarter...

Friday, August 26, 2022

A 401(k) In-Plan Roth Conversion (also called an "In-Plan Roth Rollover") allows you to transfer the non-Roth portion of your 401(k) account into a designated Roth account within the same plan. The amount you convert is subject to...

Monday, August 22, 2022

Existing home sales fell 5.9% in July, the sixth consecutive month of decline as higher interest rates weigh on housing affordability and prospective buyers. As the housing market slowed, so did prices. The median price for a...

Friday, August 19, 2022

If you’re in search of a way to reduce your tax bill and give back to the community, a Donor Advised Fund may be worth considering. Also known as a DAF, a Donor Advised fund is a charitable investment strategy you can use to...

Monday, August 15, 2022

Investors cheered the two better-than-expected inflation reports last week, pushing the S&P 500 to 16% above its June 16 low and only 11% below its all-time high. After this rebound, the key question investors are asking is whether...

Friday, August 12, 2022

Many people are familiar with the scammers who promise to pay millions of dollars in exchange for briefly holding funds in your bank account or those who offer to enhance certain body parts risk-free. Today's scammers are clever at...

Monday, August 8, 2022

The market pundits remain intensely focused on the question of whether the U.S. economy is in or about to enter recession, so we thought a piece on what a recession might mean for the stock market would be of interest. While...

Friday, August 5, 2022

Self-employed parents have unique considerations when sending their children to college. If you own your own business, there are several ways to optimize your financial situation as you prepare for your child to go to college. Keep...

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

When people think of life insurance, what usually comes to mind is settling the deceased's final expenses and providing financial support for their beneficiaries. Although these are the most common uses of life insurance, cash value,...

Monday, August 1, 2022

That was quite a week. These days a Federal Reserve (Fed) policy meeting alone gets a lot of headlines and has market participants on the edge of their seats. Add to that the second straight quarter of negative gross domestic product...

Thursday, July 28, 2022

As a business owner, you may assume you do not need professional financial advice until you hit certain milestones such as $1 million in sales, having ten employees, or some other tangible measure. However, financial professionals may...

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

For the past year, supply-related problems contributed more to inflation than demand-related imbalances, but that may be changing soon. There are at least three factors that could change the course of inflation. First, the improvement...

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Economists have shaped the modern world in many ways. Governments make policy choices in response to the data that we produce about things like GDP and inflation. Social media companies use our insights about human behavior to create...

Monday, July 18, 2022

Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...

Thursday, July 14, 2022

You don't need to wait until the end of the year to look for ways to minimize your tax liability. Tax planning should take place throughout the year to have you prepared well ahead of tax season. Here are six ways to minimize your tax...

Thursday, July 7, 2022

The need for regular saving and investing spans many life stages. Through the years, your goals will change and your strategies will shift, but don’t be alarmed. You’re just progressing through the normal stages of life,...

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Stocks have been unable to make up much ground since the June 16 lows, with a bear market rally amounting to only around a 4.3% gain in the S&P 500 Index since then (as of July 1). After the more than 6% rally the week of June 24 and...

Monday, June 27, 2022

2022 has been rough all-around for the American consumer. Not only are we battling decades-high inflation, but investors’ portfolios are off to one of the worst starts to a year in history as we near the halfway point. Our...

Monday, June 20, 2022

The bear market that started on June 13 has left the S&P 500 Index 23.5% below its January 3 high. After the initial positive reaction to the Federal Reserve’s first 0.75% rate hike since 1994 and tough talk on inflation,...

Monday, June 13, 2022

This year has been tough for investors, not just because stocks have fallen but also because bonds have not helped mitigate those losses as they have historically done. Below we discuss the outlook for diversified portfolios of stocks...

Monday, June 6, 2022

Many pundits are issuing recession warnings and saying the economy is heading for a hard landing. Amid the cacophony of voices, we think the economy is slowing just like central bankers want but not shrinking. Further, we argue that a...

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

At the risk of sounding cliché, making the case for stocks to stage a second half rally back to the prior highs requires investors to see through some heavy cloud cover. If you prefer another market cliché, it’s times...

Monday, May 23, 2022

Core bond investors have experienced the worst start to the year ever. However tough this year has been so far though (and it has been tough), the potential for future returns has improved meaningfully, in our view. Starting yields...

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Tuesday, December 14, 2021

The Internal Revenue Service announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2022 has increased to $20,500, up from $19,500 for 2021 and 2020.

Monday, December 13, 2021

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Though the final price tag of the Biden administration's infrastructure plan is not absolute, it may increase federal spending by about $3.5 trillion over the next decade.1 President Biden and his administration proposed changes to the...

Monday, November 22, 2021

There are only six weeks to go in 2021 and it has been an incredible year for the stock market bulls. In fact, in many ways it could go down as one of the best years ever. This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, we wanted to take a...

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Will you make a New Year’s resolution this year? One of the smartest ones could be to get your finances in order. But keeping that promise to yourself is another matter. A lot of people make money resolutions. According to study...

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

As we approach the end of 2021, now might be a good time to take a closer look at a few developments surrounding required minimum distributions (RMDs). What Are RMDs? Once you reach age 72, you are required to take minimum...

Monday, November 15, 2021

After an updside inflation surprise in October, it’s clear that peak inflation may still be ahead, possibly even pushing into 2022. While the Federal Reserve (Fed) maintains its position that elevated inflation will be...

Monday, November 8, 2021

Since we began our investing careers, we’ve had the concept of diversification drilled into our heads. Some refer to it as the only free lunch in investing. Well, when it comes to geography, that advice hasn’t been helpful...

Monday, November 8, 2021

Spend as much time fixing your mistakes as you do planning the holidays You probably spend more time planning your holiday gathering than preparing for your golden years. As a result, you make basic mistakes in trying to fund your...

Sunday, November 7, 2021

Tax planning can be advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities exist for you to mitigate tax liability, which may leave more income for you and/or your family. Generally, people put...

Thursday, November 4, 2021

The past year and a half have tested all of us, but overall, the economy continues to strengthen, COVID-19 trends are greatly improving, and this still relatively young bull market is alive and well. As the leaves turn colors and begin...

Monday, November 1, 2021

With Halloween over the weekend, what better to write about this week than what scares us? If our positive near-term market outlook proves to be overly optimistic, we believe one—or perhaps more than one—of these five...

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

The S&P 500 Index has gained more than 20% so far this year, making more than 50 record highs along the way. Certainly nobody should be upset with that return if that was all 2021 brought us. However, we see signs that there could be...

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Charitable giving is a way for affluent individuals spread their money around and to benefit causes that are near and dear to their hearts. Yet, for those who fall into the high net worth category, it is critical to structure...

Thursday, October 21, 2021

As the end of the year approaches, it's time to consider strategies that could help you reduce your tax bill. But most tax tips, suggestions, and strategies are of little practical help without a good understanding of your current tax...

Monday, October 18, 2021

We have used most of the superlatives we know to describe corporate America’s stunning performances over the past two earnings seasons. Despite lofty expections, results exceeded estimates by the biggest margins we’ve ever...

Sunday, October 17, 2021

For some, it’s easy to put personal finances on the back burner during the last few months of the year. However, before the year comes to an end, it’s essential to review your finances. By doing so now, you can make the...

Monday, October 11, 2021

Last week, Congress was able to push back a fast-approaching deadline for raising the debt ceiling to December. Markets applauded the move with a relief rally. Despite decreased uncertainty in the near term, we may be confronted with...

Friday, October 8, 2021

Dear Valued Client, One constant in life is change. During the past year and a half, we have experienced more change than any of us bargained for. Change is disruptive—but also brings opportunities. For investors right now, there...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

With the fourth quarter underway—historically the best quarter for stocks, by the way—2022 is fast approaching. While a lot can still happen between now and the end of 2021, we don’t think it’s too early to...

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Financial planning is an important part of securing your current lifestyle as well as preparing yourself for what you wish to do in your eventual retirement. And while this importance may look different during each stage of your life,...

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The financial professional you pick to manage your assets and advise you on key financial decisions may affect your retirement and other major financial goals more, maybe, than even you. Make the right choice. When trying to find a...

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

High Net-Worth executives and those that have been self-employed, can experience common problems in their financial planning journey. Often, they have missed opportunities in their financial planning because they haven’t planned...

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Everyone needs to make smart financial decisions that steer them toward financial independence. When people thrive financially, they may feel less financial stress, leading them to accomplish short and long-term financial goals. Here...

Monday, September 20, 2021

Until recently, we expected the 10-year Treasury yield to end the year between 1.75% and 2.0%. Now, however, there are two key elements suggesting we are unlikely to see significantly higher interest rates by year end: The Delta...

Monday, September 13, 2021

Several policy-related risks loom in September and October that may lead to an increase in market volatility. The debt ceiling needs to be raised (likely by mid-October), the government needs to be funded to avoid a shutdown by the...

Friday, September 3, 2021

Dear Valued Investor: The bull market continues, with the S&P 500 Index now up seven months in a row. Stocks have impressively gained 20% year-to-date, with the S&P 500 making 53 new all-time highs before the end of...

Monday, August 30, 2021

First and foremost, this week’s commentary should not be construed to suggest that we are saying stocks will go up forever. We are also not saying that stocks are immune from a pullback in the final four months of 2021....

Monday, August 23, 2021

Have you ever thought about the important role life insurance can play in helping you manage a variety of important financial objectives? Let’s look at some “slice of life” hypothetical examples and you’ll see...

Monday, August 23, 2021

Life insurance can be an excellent tool for charitable giving. Not only does life insurance allow you to make a substantial gift to charity at relatively little cost to you, but you may also benefit from tax rules that apply to gifts...

Monday, August 23, 2021

Your need for life insurance changes as your life changes. When you're young, you typically have less need for life insurance, but that changes as you take on more responsibility and your family grows. Then, as your responsibilities...

Monday, August 23, 2021

September is National Insurance Awareness Month which prompts the question of whether you are adequately covered. Right now is a great time to assess your insurance coverage and evaluate your risk of being underinsured. The importance...

Monday, August 23, 2021

The term stagflation has been circulating increasingly in the financial media as inflation readings have risen sharply in recent months. The term is often associated with the 1970s, which saw runaway inflation—largely driven by...

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Corporate America did it again. Companies blew by estimates and made strategists and analysts look silly (though we humbly suggest that we may have looked less silly than most in our earnings preview on July 12). S&P 500 earnings...

Friday, August 13, 2021

“Friday the 13th is still better than Monday the whatever.” No known person to cite, but LPL Research can’t disagree. Today is the first Friday the 13th since November 2020. For most people, this is just another day,...

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Reducing your emotions can give you a better chance for investing success Money is always an emotional subject, but often when our emotions get involved with our investments we will make wrong decisions. And that can be a costly...

Thursday, August 5, 2021

After years of investing for retirement and other goals, you may have accumulated a substantial portfolio. If you're approaching or already enjoying retirement, there are important steps that you can take to help ensure that your...

Monday, August 2, 2021

Hard to believe, but we are in August already! The good news is stocks are still firmly in a bull market, but the bad news is the calendar is a potential worry now. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, August and September have been...

Sunday, July 25, 2021

It wasn’t long ago when an individual went to college, got an education, and embarked on one career that usually lasted a lifetime. Many companies provided on-the-job training, and little emphasis was put on the idea of going...

Thursday, July 22, 2021

To accumulate wealth, people may choose to invest their money into various types of investments. Investing creates opportunities that otherwise would be difficult to manage due to the consistency of contributing to the investment....

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) announced yesterday that the COVID-19 recession is over. If things don’t feel all that different, it’s because they announced the recession ended in April 2020. Yes,...

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The U.S. economy powered forward faster than nearly anyone had expected in the first half of 2021. Markets are always forward-looking and in LPL Research’s Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed, we help you keep your eyes on the...

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

These simple steps might save you a great deal of money and heartache We all make mistakes, and through them, we learn. But when it comes to finances, trial-and-error may not be the most suitable approach for you. Maybe you’re...

Monday, June 28, 2021

Since the first modern Olympic games in 1896, the competition has been a prestigious honor for the hosting country, but also a significant economic and structural undertaking. Billions of dollars are put toward the construction of new...

Monday, June 28, 2021

Retirement can be a risky business if you don’t consider all the factors that can impact your retirement during your planning process. Although it’s hard to know what will happen in the future to you or your investments,...

Monday, June 28, 2021

Members of the "Sandwich Generation"—or adults who have at least one parent over age 65 and at least one child who still requires financial support—often find themselves torn between their dual caregiving responsibilities.1...

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Fear-of-missing-out is a very real emotion – but it can derail your portfolio Every day we’re bombarded with reports of what’s hot and what’s not – fueling a fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) on some great...

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

It is estimated that about 40 percent of business founders were friends before they became business partners.[1] But while starting a business with a friend can be a great way to secure your financial future, it can also put new and...

Friday, June 4, 2021

The end of March 2021 marked the one-year anniversary of the stock market bottom and the end of the shortest bear market on record. Since then the U.S. stock markets have quickly reached new highs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Friday, June 4, 2021

lthough there was some notable weakness in the middle of May, the S&P 500 Index was able to rally late in the month to finish with a modest gain. Incredibly, this was the eighth year out of the past nine that stocks gained during in...

Thursday, June 3, 2021

As the U.S. population continues to age, the “sandwich generation” is caught in the middle, supporting both their parents and their children, whether financially, physically, or emotionally. This generation is the...

Friday, May 28, 2021

Congrats to Phil Mickelson on his amazing victory on Sunday at the PGA Championship at the age of 50, officially the oldest person to ever win a golf major championship. This was Lefty’s 6th major victory, leaving him just a win...

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Small business owners should conduct an annual assessment of their personal finances. Owners of small businesses have much the same concerns as everyone else, except they are personally responsible for the fortunes of their enterprise....

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Regardless of which phase of the business life-cycle you’re in, you can get SMART about setting goals to motivate yourself, move forward to grow your business, and track your success. SMART goal setting for small business owners...