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Weekly Market Insights: Debt Talks Optimism Keeps Eyes on D.C.
Markets moved in sync last week with perceived movement in debt ceiling talks, weakening early in the week and then surging on news of progress. A solid quarterly report and guidance from a mega-cap technology company helped with...
Read MoreWall Street Focuses on Debt Ceiling
Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally As Attention Shifts to Fed's May Meeting
Strong earnings from several mega-cap technology companies offset renewed regional banking jitters and weak economic data, leaving stocks higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.86%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Hiring Cools; Recession Fears Rise.
Stocks ended a shortened week of trading mixed amid revived recession fears on Wall Street triggered by weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.10%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Banking Crisis Fears Dim; Markets Rally
Stocks rallied last week on receding fears of a widening banking crisis, led by resurging investor interest in technology and communication services names.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.22%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
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Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Message Provokes Volatility
Modest gains in major market indices masked sharp volatility amid the uncertainty arising from mixed messages emanating from public officials and revived banking fears. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.18%, while the Standard...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed’s Reassurance Boosts Stocks.
A late-week surge, triggered by reassuring Fed-speak, propelled stocks higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up 2.58% for...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Mixed Results As Interest Rate Concerns Grow
Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreWords of Wisdom from Warren Buffett
The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Basics
Whenever you are starting to build your financial plan with your Advisor, it is a good idea to brush up on some basics. This will help create a productive dialogue with your Advisor, and encourage you both to create a plan that is best...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Erratic Holiday Trading Leaves Stocks in Doldrums
In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.14%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.30%. The MSCI...
Read MoreOil Prices Make a Round Trip in 2022
The financial markets are complex systems. They can move from one event to the next so quickly that it's hard to know what’s driving prices.For example, look at the roundtrip oil prices in the chart below.Oil prices surged to...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Slide on Recession Concerns
Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreWill the Midterm Elections Move Markets?
The midterm elections have come and gone, and although the results don’t appear as one-sided as many predicted, it seems one party will narrowly take control of the House, while the Senate may hinge on a Georgia runoff.It's...
Read MoreWhen the Fed Chair Talks, People Listen
The financial markets are on edge this year each time Fed Chair Jerome Powell takes the podium following a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.The chart below shows that the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has gained...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Wall Street Flips the Script & Enjoys a Rally.
A positive start to a new earnings season and late-week hopes for a near-term easing in Fed rate hikes lifted investors’ spirits and powered stocks to gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 4.89%, while the...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: U.S. and U.K. See Financial Turbulence
Rising recession fears and uncertainty in the bond and currency markets sent stocks to new 2022 lows last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.91%. The Nasdaq Composite...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fallout From Powell Comments Continues
Last week, Fed Chair Powell said the U.S. would not tame inflation without economic pain. This week heightened recession fears and sent stocks broadly lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4.00%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWeathering the Stock Market Storms
Bull and bear markets are not a new concept to most of us. Over the years, we have seen times of severe market volatility. When the stock market seems unpredictable, this is just a part of the journey to ultimately gain. It is...
Read MoreScams and How to Freeze your Credit
In the U.S., it is estimated that elderly Americans lose 3 billion dollars to scams, and one out of ten adults become a victim of fraud each year. Learning about scams is the only way to keep your guard up and stay safe. Once you can...
Read MoreThe Ultimate College Packing List
If you are a parent sending your child off to college, it may be difficult to stay focused and be sure that you have packed the necessities. Between school supplies, clothes, room decor, etc. it is easy to become overwhelmed. Here is...
Read MoreWhich Documents Should you Keep, Shred, and Scan?
Technology has evolved, and you have too. Since technology has given us the opportunity to make organization a little easier, it’s time to really get to the bottom of the question, “which documents should you keep, shred,...
Read MoreAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Anniversary
July 26th will be the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which became a law in 1990. This law was created to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of the public. This means jobs,...
Read MoreCommon Mistakes to Avoid when Renovating your Home
With the current state of the housing market, some of you may be considering an update without the move. Renovating your home can be a great way to experience a little change and increase the future value of your home. Here are some...
Read MoreNational Homeownership Month 2022
June is National Homeownership Month! This month is an effort to educate homeowners as well as future homebuyers about the current housing market. This also acts as a longstanding commitment to creating more homeownership opportunities...
Read MoreFamily Summer Bucket List
Summer is approaching fast and as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and everything in between, you may have to think of some ideas to entertain the kids while they are home from school. We know it can be hard to think of things...
Read MoreA Financial Planning Checklist for Newly Single Clients Over 50
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This Day in History- December
The month of December is here! Let's take a look at some of the most memorable events that took place during this month... December 1st, 1885: The soda Dr. Pepper is served for the first time in history. December 2nd, 2005: Microsoft...
Read More10 Winter Activities to Fill Up Those Chilly Days
Until we're back to warm weather, beaches, and barbeques, you may find yourself wondering how to fill up these cold winter months. When the boredom strikes this winter, we have ideas to keep you busy all season long! 1. Host a dinner...
Read MoreThis Day in History- November
The month of November is here! Let’s take a look at some of the most memorable events that took place during this month… November 1st, 1959: For the first time in History, hockey goalkeeper Jacques Plante wears a...
Read More9/11 Day 2021
September 11, 2021 marks the 20th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country. Since that time, I have had the honor of being involved with the Jim Fassel Foundation which was formed to support the families of First Responders...
Read MoreJim Fassel Foundation Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament 2021
This year’s Jim Fassel Foundation Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament was a great success! It was hosted at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, NJ. It was a great day filled with lots of fun and camaraderie. The foundation...
Read MoreUS Financial's Top 10 Favorite Cocktails for this Summer (in no particular order!)
We are hoping you’re enjoying your summer! These are US Financial’s top 10 favorite cocktails to sip on in the summer heat. 1. Malibu Bay Breeze What You’ll Need Glass with ice Coconut rum Pineapple juice Cranberry...
Read MoreHow to Save Money on a Tight Budget
Question: I have a question about how to save money on a tight budget. My household is just me and my wife. We both work day jobs and she works a part time job as well, so we are pretty much living on a paycheck to paycheck basis. We...
Read MoreU.S. Financial Services Annual Golf Challenge
The US Financial Services Annual Charity Golf Challenge gives us the opportunity to give back to our community.
Read MoreThe Great Debate Continues: Active vs. Passive
Whether it’s sports, music or politics, life holds any number of “great debates” that never seem to reach a conclusion. In investments, that great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is...
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