What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Monday, October 16, 2023
How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment beginning soon, there are a few questions you may want to ask before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you changed or added...
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Saturday, October 14, 2023
The Fed’s ongoing pledge of “higher interest rates for longer” has rattled financial markets and raised the cost of everything from mortgages to credit cards. Now adding to tensions are the recent events in the...
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Saturday, October 14, 2023
The Social Security Administration has announced a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024. This adjustment means the average Social Security retiree beneficiary will see their monthly check increase by about $57 to $1,849,...
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Thursday, October 5, 2023
If you're a fan of Warren Buffett, you'll recognize this quote: "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." In recent weeks, the investing outlook has become a bit murky, which has led some people to let...
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Thursday, October 5, 2023
Rising bond yields and government shutdown fears left stocks in mostly negative territory for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.74%. The Nasdaq Composite index was...
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Monday, September 18, 2023
Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s a headline risk for the markets?” Headline risk is the chance that an unsettling news event–anticipated or a surprise–can add volatility to the financial markets....
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Monday, September 18, 2023
Stocks ended the week roughly where they began as investors digested a mixed set of new economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.12%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell...
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Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Falling bond yields–spurred by weak economic data–helped lift stocks to weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.43%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 2.50%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023
The stock market rebound has significantly increased the number of workers with $1 million or more in their workplace retirement accounts. According to Fidelity Investments, employees with 401(k) balances exceeding $1 million rose 26...
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Monday, August 28, 2023
Stocks fluctuated last week, jostled by fitful bond yields and headline news, before ending strongly following Fed Chair Powell’s comments on the monetary outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.45%, while the...
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Thursday, August 24, 2023
Nobody ever said you have to like a pullback in stock prices. But it's critical to understand 1) why they happen and 2) why they are challenging. A pullback is considered a moderate drop in prices from recent peaks that occur within a...
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Monday, August 21, 2023
As we approach the back-to-school season, I wanted to discuss an important topic that might be on your mind: the cost of education. Whether you have children or grandchildren preparing for college or considering furthering your...
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Monday, August 21, 2023
Stocks extended their August declines last week as higher yields and weak economic data out of China soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.21%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.11%. The...
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Wall Street is slowly starting to talk about an “expansion economy” and forgetting about any recession fears. July’s consumer inflation report was soft, so attention will soon shift to gross domestic product in the...
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Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Positive inflation data failed to lift stocks from their August doldrums last week as economic data and a ratings downgrade soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Sunday, August 13, 2023
August is Make a Will Month, a time dedicated to strategizing for the future. You may have seen in the news that Aretha Franklin's loved ones are still caught in a legal battle due to the existence of multiple wills. The lesson from...
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Friday, August 11, 2023
Why is August a volatile month? One simple reason: many people are on vacation. And when people are out of the office, the financial markets often see less trading, which can cause big price swings following news events. The Fitch...
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Friday, August 11, 2023
Stocks retreated last week as bond yields increased following the Treasury's announcement indicating “a larger-than-expected funding need” and a downgrade in the federal government’s debt rating. The Dow Jones...
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Monday, July 31, 2023
You may have heard of the cultural craze that's caused a recent box office boom. Dubbed "Barbenheimer," the odd cinematic pairing of Gretta Gerwig's "Barbie" and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" is proving to be exactly what tinsel...
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Monday, July 31, 2023
A Friday surge pushed stocks solidly into positive territory last week, ignited by cooling in an inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.66%, while the Standard &...
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Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Is Fed Chair Powell preparing to change his mind? In late June, he said, “A strong majority of (Fed) committee participants expect that it will be appropriate to raise interest rates two or more times by the end of the year....
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Stocks moved to the rhythm of earnings season last week, initially rising on positive earnings surprises and faltering later in the week on key earnings disappointments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.08%, while the...
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Saturday, July 22, 2023
a single will that has been witnessed, notarized, and shared with your loved ones in advance can play a key role in protecting your legacy. Other documents and tools can help, too, depending on your situation.
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Also, inflation is tricky, and people can have different experiences with rising prices depending on their spending habits. So please, contact me if you are concerned about inflation. Reports showing inflation is trending lower are great.
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Better-than-expected updates last week on consumer and wholesale price inflation buoyed investor sentiment, driving stocks higher and lower bond yields. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.29%, while the Standard &...
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Friday, July 14, 2023
Have you ever wished you could just send me a text instead of having to talk on the phone or email? Your wish has been granted: I now have the capability to text with you!There are a few key points to keep in mind:You can text me at...
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Tuesday, July 11, 2023
In advance of 2023, the recession drum beats were so loud it was deafening. Market pundits warned that as the Fed raised interest rates, it was just a matter of time before the economy entered a recession.But it’s July now, and...
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Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Rising concerns about further rate hikes sent stocks lower to kick off the second half of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 1.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Friday, July 7, 2023
As the Fed continues its fight against inflation, one of the more challenging parts of the economy is gauging what's happening in the jobs market.One July report showed the private sector added nearly 500,000 jobs, double the...
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Thursday, July 6, 2023
Stocks posted gains for the week to close out a stellar month, aided by positive economic data and reports that all major banks had passed the Federal Reserve’s annual stress test.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.02%,...
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Thursday, June 29, 2023
I wanted to take a moment to update you on the potential changes to Social Security benefits for 2024. As I'm sure you know, the Social Security Administration calculates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer...
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Thursday, June 29, 2023
The U.S. Department of Education has officially announced that student loan payments will resume in October, ending the three-year-long pause that was implemented due to the pandemic.Starting September 1, interest will begin accruing...
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Monday, June 26, 2023
Stocks took a breather last week as investors digested the previous week’s surge and the month-to-date solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.67%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq...
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Spring is about new beginnings, and that applies to Medicare as well. Whether you are a first-time recipient or looking to update your plan for the year, you can read about some of your coverage here.What screenings does Medicare...
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Thursday, May 25, 2023
Estimating Your Retirement Income NeedsYou know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you'll need to fund your retirement. That's not as...
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Tuesday, April 11, 2023
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...
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Monday, January 9, 2023
IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes – but we should also associate December with important Individual...
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Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Should We Reconsider What “Retirement” Means?The notion that we separate from work in our sixties may have to go. Provided by Peter Livingston An executive transitions into a consulting role at age 62 and stops...
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Friday, October 21, 2022
End-of-the-Year Money Moves Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2022. Provided by Peter Livingston What has changed for you in 2022? This year has been as complicated as learning a new dance for...
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Monday, October 17, 2022
Managing Probate When Setting Up Your EstateWhat can you do to help your heirs? Provided by Peter Livingston The probate process can be expensive for some estates. Settling an estate through probate can cost you both time and...
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Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time...
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Thursday, September 8, 2022
The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...
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Thursday, September 8, 2022
Should You Prepare to Retire on 80% of Your Income?Examining a long-held retirement assumption. Provided by Peter Livingston A classic retirement preparation rule states that you should retire on 80% of the income you earned...
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Tuesday, September 6, 2022
5 Retirement Concerns Too Often OverlookedBaby boomers entering their “second acts” should think about these matters. Provided by Peter Livingston Retirement is undeniably a major life and financial...
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Wednesday, August 31, 2022
We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...
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Monday, August 1, 2022
What Happens When There Are No Beneficiaries Where do those accounts and policies end up? Provided by Peter Livingston Some accounts have no designated beneficiary. Rarely, the same thing occurs with insurance policies. This...
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Thursday, July 28, 2022
Getting Disability Income The facts about applying for SSDI and SSDI benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston If you cannot work due to a disability, you might be eligible for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). These...
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Knowing when it’s the right time to retire can be difficult, especially if you love your job. Even professional athletes have a hard time knowing when to walk away!These athletes thought they were ready for retirement but...
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Friday, July 22, 2022
9 Facts About RetirementRetirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of...
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Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Whether through inertia or trepidation, investors who put off important investment decisions might consider the admonition offered by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, "Almost any decision is better than no decision at all."This...
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Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Creating a Retirement StrategyMost people just invest for the future. You have a chance to do more. Provided by Peter Livingston Across the country, people are saving for that “someday” called retirement. Someday...
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Friday, June 17, 2022
Rehearsing for Retirement Try living as a “retiree” for a month or two before you commit to leaving your career. Provided by Peter Livingston Imagine if you could preview your retirement in advance. In...
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Wednesday, June 15, 2022
The Behavior Gap and Your Financial Health How might it affect you? Provided by Peter Livingston “It turns out my job was not to find great investments but to help create great investors,” writes Carl Richards,...
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Thursday, June 2, 2022
What is an Annuity? What you should know about them. Provided by Peter Livingston Individuals hold about $2.5 trillion in annuity contracts; a tidy sum considering an estimated $12.2 trillion is held in all types of IRAs...
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Tuesday, May 31, 2022
How to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury A short guide. Provided by Peter Livingston With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I...
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Friday, May 27, 2022
Couples Retiring on the Same PageAgreeing about what you want from retirement is crucial. Provided by Peter Livingston What does a good retirement look like to you? Does it resemble the retirement that your...
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Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Roth IRA Conversions What are your choices? What are the benefits? Provided by Peter Livingston If you own an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), perhaps you have heard about Roth IRA conversions. Converting your...
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Friday, May 13, 2022
Should You Downsize for Retirement? Some retirees save a great deal of money by doing so; others do not. Provided by Peter Livingston You want to retire, and you own a large home that is nearly or fully paid off. The kids...
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Thursday, May 12, 2022
THE RETIREMENT REALITY CHECK Little things to keep in mind for life after work. Presented by Peter Livingston Decades ago, there was a book entitled What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business...
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Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Market Update Perhaps nothing summarizes the investor experience better than the old quote that "nothing worth doing is easy." The current market environment, as uncomfortable as it may be, serves as a reminder that staying...
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Are You Retiring Within the Next 5 Years? What to focus on as the transition approaches Provided by Peter Livingston You can prepare for the transition years in advance. In doing so, you may be better equipped to manage...
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Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Why Don’t All Affluent People Become Wealthy? Perception, hesitation, & poor decisions are factors. Provided by Peter Livingston...
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Major Risks to Family Wealth Protect your family assets for future generations. Provided by Peter Livingston All too often, family wealth fails to last. One generation builds a business—or even a fortune— lost...
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Friday, March 18, 2022
Getting (Mentally) Ready to Retire Even those who have saved millions must prepare for a lifestyle adjustment. Provided by Peter Livingston A successful retirement is not merely measured in financial terms. Even...
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Everything You Need To Know About Rate Hikes Posted by lplresearch Wednesday, March 16, 2022 Today the Federal Reserve is widely expected to hike rates for the first time since December 2018 and we expect them to kick...
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Essential Financial Figures 2022
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Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Roth IRA Conversions What are your choices? What are the benefits? Provided by Peter Livingston If you own an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), perhaps you have heard about Roth IRA conversions. Converting your...
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Monday, February 28, 2022
Taking Charge of Your Financial Life Delegating responsibilities to others may lead to problems down the road. Provided by Peter Livingston When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate...
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Wednesday, February 16, 2022
States Are Requiring Retirement Plans Will new mandates solve an old financial problem? Provided by Peter Livingston Too many Americans save too little for retirement. This problem has been discussed for decades in all...
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Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Latest Market Volatility If you talk to just about any investor lately, they'll tell you that it has been a difficult year in the market. Putting the recent moves into perspective, it could have been a lot worse...
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Friday, February 4, 2022
RMDs Get a Small Reprieve 2022 brings new life expectancy tables. Provided by Peter Livingston For the first time in nearly 20 years, the IRS has released updated actuarial or life expectancy tables. Those who take...
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Thursday, February 3, 2022
What the Fastest GDP Growth in Decades Means to Investors The economy is growing at a healthy pace as we approach the second anniversary of the pandemic-driven recession. Despite the many challenges facing markets, from inflation...
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Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Updated Premiums and Deductibles for Medicare Higher than normal. Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare’s premiums and deductibles have seen a larger-than-expected rise this year. For example, Medicare Part B...
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Monday, January 31, 2022
Retirement Preparation Mistakes Why are they made again and again? Provided by Peter Livingston Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside...
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Tuesday, January 25, 2022
How Investors Can Navigate Market Corrections At the moment, headlines are focused on the stock market correction, especially among technology stocks, that has been building for weeks. The NASDAQ has declined about 15% this year, the...
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Friday, January 21, 2022
In this 2021 recap: new coronavirus variants prolong the pandemic, but the economy adapts and maintains its strength; inflation pressure mounts and the Federal Reserve decides to adjust monetary policy; the major U.S. stock indexes hit...
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Thursday, January 20, 2022
Monthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Peter Livingston - January 2022 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “We contain all the ages we have ever been.” ANNIE LAMOTT HOW MUCH WILL SAVING AN EXTRA $1K EACH...
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Monday, January 17, 2022
Outlook for 2022 It’s a new year, full of new possibilities for what may lie ahead. Provided by Peter Livingston By any measure, 2021 was a strong year for investors. But what’s in store for 2022? From my...
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Friday, January 14, 2022
Much has been written about inflation this year – and no doubt, you have also read an article or two about inflation’s silver lining, the potential for better returns on certain fixed-income investments given the chance of...
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Wednesday, January 12, 2022
IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes – but we should also associate December with important IRA deadlines....
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Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Monthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Peter Livingston - DECEMBER 2021 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else.”...
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Monday, December 20, 2021
2022 Contribution Limits Is it time to contribute more? Provided by Peter Livingston Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new...
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Friday, December 17, 2021
Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill The bill will create jobs in many parts of the country. Provided by Peter Livingston At the White House on Monday, President Biden signed a $1T bipartisan infrastructure set to enable...
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Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Is Inflation Peaking? One lesser-known indicator is called the Baltic Dry Index. Provided by Peter Livingston You see it in prices at the grocery store and the gas station. You feel it in your monthly budget. So why...
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Monday, December 13, 2021
The Power of the Consumer In recent months, consumer confidence has been falling. Provided by Peter Livingston A confident consumer can be a powerful ally in an economy. But when the consumer starts to have questions, we...
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Friday, December 10, 2021
Powell News Kicks Off Volatile Season? These numbers don’t always represent the full picture. Provided by Peter Livingston The holiday season is often a quiet, positive time for the financial markets. The phrase...
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Wednesday, December 8, 2021
When Bad News Is Good News A surprising reaction to tapered bond purchases. Provided by Peter Livingston Financial markets can be challenging to understand. But when markets enter a “bad news is good news”...
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Monday, November 29, 2021
Cash Alternatives for Charitable Giving Thinking about donating? Think of these choices. Provided by Peter Livingston The year is winding down, and you may be thinking of giving. In fact, you may want to explore the different ways in...
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Friday, November 26, 2021
Are Capital Gains Taxes Changing? Reach out if you have any concerns about capital gains taxes. Provided by Peter Livingston There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law...
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Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Proposed Tax Changes in Congress If passed, the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act would alter some federal tax rates. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors are watching the Build Back Better Act. This $3.5 trillion bill, refined...
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Monday, November 22, 2021
Gridlock in the Supply Chain The port crisis continues. Provided by Peter Livingston While the world has begun to recover from the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the delayed reaction has been felt in the supply chain....
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Friday, November 19, 2021
Estate Taxes May Be Amended Soon What to know about the budget reconciliation bill. Provided by Peter Livingston To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax...
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Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Tax Changes: What’s In, What’s Out? While some initiatives are left behind, others are seeing renewed interest. Provided by Peter Livingston While it’s still too early to draw any final conclusions, Congress is...
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Monday, November 15, 2021
FANNG is now MAMAA Wise investors take the “big picture” view. Provided by Peter Livingston CNBC’s Mad Money host Jim Cramer created the popular FAANG acronym to denote some of the largest, most powerful companies in...
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Friday, November 12, 2021
A look back at 2021 thus far Presented by Peter Livingston The year in brief. 2021 has been a year of economic and business recovery – a recovery tempered by the delta variant of the coronavirus, but a rebound nonetheless....
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Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Wise Decisions with Retirement in Mind Certain financial & lifestyle choices may lead you toward a better future. Provided by Peter Livingston Some retirees succeed at realizing the life they want; others don’t. Fate aside, it...
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021
The Social Security Administration Announces 2022 COLA 5.9% is the biggest COLA increase in decades. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 13, 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security...
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Monday, November 8, 2021
Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment? Enrollment period begins October 15. Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare...
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Friday, November 5, 2021
Why Today's Inflation Is Unusual and Challenging for Investors Inflation continues to be a hot topic for investors as markets adapt to worsening supply chain disruptions. However, not all inflation is the same and today's environment...
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Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Why Slower GDP Shouldn't Worry Long-Term Investors The business cycle is advancing despite a number of investor concerns, one quarter after the economy returned to pre-pandemic levels. And while the pace has decelerated, this is normal...
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Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Could Custodial IRAs Help Young Adults Buy Homes? Some parents and grandparents have that possibility in mind. Provided by Peter Livingston Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) are for retirement saving, right? Absolutely. Is that...
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Monday, October 25, 2021
Making Sense of Seemingly Inconsistent Numbers Wise investors take the “big picture” view. Provided by Peter Livingston It can be incredibly difficult to make sense of data. A report coming from one body may tell you one...
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Friday, October 22, 2021
Week of October 18, 2021 How Record Profits Are Fueling the Bull Market The corporate earnings season for the third quarter is already off to a strong start. Investors are watching these reports closely as concerns over supply chain...
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Friday, October 22, 2021
The Best, the Brightest, and Inflation The Fed may be ready to alter course. Provided by Peter Livingston If you are feeling a bit confused about the direction of inflation, you’re in good company. Some of the best and brightest...
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Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The Underutilized Benefits of a Health Savings Account Tax benefits and new contribution limits. Provided by Peter Livingston Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to...
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Monday, October 18, 2021
Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think...
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Friday, October 15, 2021
Are Your Taxes Going to Change? Wise investors take the “big picture” view. Provided by Peter Livingston Most likely, you’ve heard what’s brewing in Washington, D.C., called by one of these names. The Build Back...
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Roller-Coaster Week in Washington Investors may find themselves with an uneasy feeling. Provided by Peter Livingston Debates over government debt, taxes, and infrastructure have captured the attention of the nation this week. All eyes...
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Monday, October 11, 2021
Fallout from the Chinese Property Market This tumult is not the only area of concern in the Chinese economy. Provided by Peter Livingston There’s a famous saying about a hurricane starting from a butterfly flapping its wings on...
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Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Fed Rescues September Bond purchases may end entirely by the middle of 2022. Provided by Peter Livingston A funny thing happened in the investment markets the other day. September was living up to its reputation as a volatile month,...
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Monday, September 20, 2021
401(k) Millionaires What does this mean for your overall retirement strategy? Provided by Peter Livingston Your workplace retirement account can play a critical role in your overall retirement strategy. However, some have gone further...
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Friday, September 17, 2021
The Need for Power of Attorney POAs and other advanced directives are becoming more important. Provided by Peter Livingston The point of the POA. A power of attorney (POA) is a legal instrument that delegates an individual’s...
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Wednesday, September 15, 2021
The September Effect Investors ending their fiscal year can lead to some market weakness. Provided by Peter Livingston The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53...
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Monday, September 13, 2021
FAFSA Simplification Act Learn how legislative changes can help you finance your loved one’s education. Provided by Peter Livingston As a parent or grandparent, you know firsthand the challenges of funding a child’s...
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Friday, September 3, 2021
How U.S. Savings Bonds Work How to keep track of your savings bonds’ maturity dates. Provided by Peter Livingston Did you buy U.S. Savings Bonds decades ago? Or did your parents or grandparents purchase them for you? If...
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
The Wall of Worry You've got plenty of choices these days. Provided by Peter Livingston 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....
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Monday, August 30, 2021
Will Air Travel Problems Persist? How might it affect you? Provided by Peter Livingston The airline industry plotted a course for recovery in 2021, but recent difficulties may have put that plan into a holding pattern. While major...
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Friday, August 27, 2021
Mixed Signals on Inflation What to know as markets look forward. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you having a tough time keeping track of inflation's mixed signals? You’re not alone. Consumer prices in July climbed at their...
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Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Distracted America Consumer habits are changing as we spend more time at home. Provided by Peter Livingston Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and...
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Friday, August 20, 2021
Teenage Wage-Land Staffing challenges mean opportunities for teens. Provided by Peter Livingston Summer jobs are a perennial aspect of the American workforce. It’s a time when teenagers are filling out applications and, in many...
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Chinese Markets Under Pressure Regulators impact the Chinese stock market. Provided by Peter Livingston With overseas investments, we remind people that, “international markets carry additional risks, which include differences in...
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Monday, August 16, 2021
Direct Indexing An old way to manage a portfolio is getting some new attention. Provided by Peter Livingston “Indexing” is a familiar phrase in investment jargon, and a familiar concept. Money managers structure certain...
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Friday, August 13, 2021
The Cost Of A Gold Medal The actual value of the medal. Provided by Peter Livingston 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...
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Wednesday, August 11, 2021
The Expanded Child Tax Credit Provided by Peter Livingston 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...
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Monday, August 2, 2021
A Roaring Start to Earnings Season Favorable forecasts lead analysts to raise their projections for the year ahead. Provided by Peter Livingston Corporate earnings season has begun, and the results are turning heads on Wall Street. Of...
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Monday, July 26, 2021
A 6.1% Bump in Social Security? COLA and Social Security. Provided by Peter Livingston The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients. It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast...
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Friday, July 23, 2021
Billionaires in Space The business world heads to space. Provided by Peter Livingston It’s long been an aspirational target for entrepreneurs. It literally goes beyond “blue sky,” in terms of location, to a place no...
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Wednesday, July 21, 2021
The Quiet Fall in Bond Yields What’s behind the quiet fall in bond yields? Provided by Peter Livingston With all the attention given to inflation, stock prices, and job reports, it’s been easy to overlook the remarkable...
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Friday, July 16, 2021
Oil Prices Hit Six-Year High As demand outpaces supply, inflation concerns rise. Provided by Peter Livingston On July 6, oil prices reached a six-year high of $76.98 a barrel. This benchmark came as the Organization of the Petroleum...
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Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Conducting Your Mid-Year Financial Checkup The midpoint of the year is a great time to review your financial position. Provided by Peter Livingston With June officially behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed...
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Monday, July 12, 2021
Insurance When You Marry After 40 With people marrying later in life these days, coverage has become even more important. Provided by Peter Livingston When you marry, you buy life insurance. Right? You buy it out of consideration for...
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Friday, July 9, 2021
Thinking About Summer Travel Plans This summer presents travel challenges. Provided by Peter Livingston Summertime rouses our desire to hit the road (or the airport) and travel. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider...
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Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Economic Lessons from Used-Car Inflation Various factors drive used car prices. Provided by Peter Livingston Inflation is defined as the general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The key word is “general...
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Wednesday, June 30, 2021
The Fed Acknowledges Inflation As inflation climbs, the Fed reacts. Provided by Peter Livingston At its June meeting, the Federal Reserve confirmed what many of us have suspected for some time: prices are rising. In fact, prices are...
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Friday, June 25, 2021
Inflation & the Real Rate of Return Is your money gaining or losing purchasing power? Provided by Peter Livingston The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. It’s the rate of return on your...
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Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Summer Travel is Back! Summer travel stats show an industry in recovery. Provided by Peter Livingston One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it...
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Monday, June 21, 2021
FAFSA Simplification Act Learn about how legislative changes can help you finance your loved one’s education. Provided by Peter Livingston As a parent or grandparent, you know firsthand the challenges of funding a child’s...
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Friday, June 18, 2021
Are You Ready for the Second Act of the Secure Act? Some potential benefits of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act,...
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Wednesday, June 16, 2021
A COLA with Your Social Security? Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase.1 Provided by Peter Livingston If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are...
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Monday, June 14, 2021
A Seven-Year High for Gas Prices Things in America are returning to something like a pre-COVID normal. Provided by Peter Livingston Over Memorial Day weekend, gasoline prices hit the highest for this holiday weekend since 2014.1 With...
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Friday, June 11, 2021
Tax & Estate Strategies for Married LGBTQ+ Couples In this age of marriage equality, there are new possibilities. Provided by Peter Livingston The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision streamlined tax and estate strategizing...
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Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Inflation Outlook for 2021 Is the Fed ahead or behind in its monetary policy regarding inflation? Provided by Peter Livingston As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news...
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Monday, June 7, 2021
Recovering from COVID Some promising trends emerge. Provided by Peter Livingston With COVID, there were some who believed that progress on this health issue was a necessary precondition to economic recovery. In recent weeks, we have...
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Friday, June 4, 2021
The Fed’s Taper Rehearsal The talk is of tapering, and it’s making investors nervous. Provided by Peter Livingston The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released the minutes of its April meeting last week. The report...
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Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Inflation Can Be a Scary Word There are compelling reasons to adopt a wait-and-see approach. Provided by Peter Livingston Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my...
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Friday, May 28, 2021
Baseball’s $300 Million Players Even ballplayers prepare for the future. Provided by Peter Livingston The San Diego Padres signed infielder Fernando Tatis, Jr., to a 14-year, $340 million contract roughly one year after the Los...
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Wednesday, May 26, 2021
How COVID-19 Caused a “She-Cession” Several women-dominated industries were hit hardest by the pandemic. Provided by Peter Livingston Since the 1980s, unemployment rates have trended higher amongst men than women during a...
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Monday, May 24, 2021
Cyberattack, CPI Hit In the Wallet Long lines and closed gas stations in many regions. Provided by Peter Livingston A cyberattack shut down a major gas and energy pipeline supplying the East Coast of the United States for several days....
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Friday, May 21, 2021
College Funding Choices Explore the different ways you can help finance the costs of higher education. Provided by Peter Livingston How can you help cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be key for...
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Wednesday, May 19, 2021
2021 Retirement Confidence Survey A deep dive into workers' expectations in retirement versus actual income sources. Provided by Peter Livingston Will your retirement dreams match your reality? That's perhaps the most critical question...
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Monday, May 17, 2021
Buffett and Powell Talk Inflation The Oracle of Omaha and the Fed Chair seem to be at odds. Provided by Peter Livingston What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different...
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Friday, May 14, 2021
Investor Sentiment Is Shifting This year, markets have experienced an odd phenomenon. Provided by Peter Livingston A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for...
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Wednesday, May 12, 2021
“Green Shoots” in the Economy Some examples to consider. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors looking for "green shoots" to confirm that the economy is on the mend have seen plenty of examples in recent weeks. Retail...
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Monday, May 10, 2021
Debate Starts on Capital Gains Tax What to expect and why. Provided by Peter Livingston Now and again, the price action on Wall Street can surprise even the most seasoned investors. Look no further than when President Biden in late...
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Friday, May 7, 2021
What Forces Are Driving the Housing Market? Many hopeful homebuyers are having issues securing a home. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, you may have seen reports that a record-low number of homes are available for...
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Wednesday, May 5, 2021
The Call for a Minimum Global Corporate Tax Yellen wants to help the U.S. raise sufficient revenue. Provided by Peter Livingston In a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called for...
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Monday, May 3, 2021
The Whims of Wall Street What to know about shifting market attention, and investor burnout. Provided by Peter Livingston It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street. Lately, the financial markets have been...
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Friday, April 30, 2021
Are Americans Saving Too Much? American spending habits have taken a clear direction. Provided by Peter Livingston Among the many changes arising from the pandemic, one of the most noticeable was a change in American spending habits. A...
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Wednesday, April 28, 2021
IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes – but we should also associate December with important IRA deadlines. This year,...
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Monday, April 26, 2021
Life Insurance with Extended-Care Riders As conventional extended-care policies grow costlier, alternatives have emerged. Provided by Peter Livingston The COVID-19 pandemic has changed extended-care policies. While the specific policy...
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Friday, April 23, 2021
Inflation Boogeyman What to keep in mind as inflation fears rise. Provided by Peter Livingston Inflation has emerged as one of the top financial concerns for investors as they size up the economy for the rest of the year. According to...
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Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Paying for the Infrastructure Bill The proposal does not yet include any new taxes on individuals. Provided by Peter Livingston President Joe Biden introduced the much-anticipated American Jobs Plan, which outlines an approach to spend...
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Monday, April 19, 2021
Investing During Periods of Inflation What does inflation mean for your investments? Provided by Peter Livingston In August of 2020, the Fed announced that it is willing to allow inflation to run higher than normal in order to support...
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Friday, April 16, 2021
Guarding Against Identity Theft Take steps so criminals won’t take vital information from you. Provided by Peter Livingston America is enduring a data breach problem. As many workers traded in the office for remote work, data...
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Wednesday, April 14, 2021
It’s All About Bonds Long bond yields may increase for several reasons. Provided by Peter Livingston There’s an old Wall Street maxim that says, “markets climb a wall of worry.” And these days, there’s...
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Monday, April 12, 2021
The Economics of MLB Spring Training Play ball! Provided by Peter Livingston Major League Baseball scheduled Opening Day for April 1, but two states have already scored with spring training underway. Every year, spring training divides...
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Friday, April 9, 2021
The Shred Party What should you get rid of and hold on to? When and why? Provided by Peter Livingston If a shred party happens to spring up in your area, you may want to mark your calendar. For many years, shred parties, where a...
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Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Qualified Charitable Distributions A choice for I.R.A. owners who want to reduce taxes linked to I.R.A. distributions. Provided by Peter Livingston Do you have an I.R.A.? As you enter your 70s, you may start to look at that I.R.A. not...
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Monday, April 5, 2021
I.R.S. Delays Tax Filing, Payment Deadlines The new deadline is May 17, 2021. Provided by Peter Livingston Less than one month ahead of the traditional date, the I.R.S. has delayed the deadline for filing and paying taxes. The new...
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Friday, April 2, 2021
Financial Strategies for Athletes Step One: Find a trusted financial coach; Step Two: Listen to your coach. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether you are a professional athlete, a college amateur, or an aspiring Olympian, you probably...
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Wednesday, March 31, 2021
The American Rescue Plan Makes FSAs a Little More Flexible The act boosts the amount that companies can allow workers to deposit. Provided by Peter Livingston For those with a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), there may...
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Monday, March 29, 2021
The Emergence of ESG Investing How generational and societal change is influencing companies and the markets. Provided by Peter Livingston ESG: what does that acronym stand for? Those three letters stand for "Environmental, Social, and...
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Friday, March 26, 2021
Volatility Tests Your Mettle Some changes may be unsettling. Provided by Peter Livingston Most people understand that stock prices don't go straight up. But when market volatility increases, the price action can test the mettle of even...
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
The Many Forms of Fixed Income Looking for yield? Treasuries aren’t your only choice. Provided by Peter Livingston You want to draw some income while preserving some of your capital. So, you decide to take a look at fixed-income...
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Monday, March 22, 2021
Understanding Extended Care The important question: are you prepared? Provided by Peter Livingston Addressing the potential threat of extended care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are...
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Friday, March 19, 2021
PRESENTED BY Peter Livingston This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and the information given has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. This is not intended as a guide for the preparation of tax returns, nor...
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Wednesday, March 17, 2021
The New Inherited I.R.A. Rules Do you know what has changed for I.R.A. beneficiaries? Provided by Peter Livingston New inherited I.R.A. rules took effect on January 1, 2020. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement...
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Monday, March 15, 2021
Spotlight Shifts to Bonds What to know about interest rates and yields. Provided by Peter Livingston One time-tested principle of investing is, "when bond yields move higher, bond prices tend to move lower." Investors are doing a...
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Friday, March 12, 2021
Tax Efficiency in Retirement What role should taxes play in your investment decisions? Provided by Peter Livingston Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? Do you have a 401(k) or a traditional IRA? If so, you will receive income from...
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Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Changes to Paycheck Protection Information for small business owners to consider. Provided by Peter Livingston On Monday, Feb. 22, the White House announced several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that went into effect...
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Monday, March 8, 2021
Countdown to College Things to consider as a parent of a future college student. Provided by Peter Livingston As a parent, of course you want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the...
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Friday, March 5, 2021
Retirement Seen Through Your Eyes After you leave work, what will your life look like? Provided by Peter Livingston How do you picture your future? If you are like many contemplating retirement, your view is likely pragmatic compared...
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Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Economic Predictions: What Lies Ahead? Here’s what the financial forecast may have in store. Provided by Peter Livingston It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes...
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Monday, March 1, 2021
Oil Prices on the Move What to know about the recent rally. Provided by Peter Livingston At this time last year, it was still unknown that a deadly global pandemic was on the rise, eventually stalling economic growth and sending crude...
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Friday, February 26, 2021
How Soon Might the Stimulus Arrive? A shot in the arm of a different kind. Provided by Peter Livingston While many in the United States are beginning to receive vaccinations and people are starting to foresee a life after COVID-19, it...
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Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Should You Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage? What to consider. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you considering refinancing your mortgage? Perhaps you want to shorten the term of your home loan. Maybe you have an adjustable-rate...
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Monday, February 22, 2021
Retirement Questions That Have Nothing to Do With Money Think about these factors before you leave work for the last time. Provided by Peter Livingston Retirement planning is not entirely financial. Your degree of happiness in your...
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Friday, February 19, 2021
2020 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate December with important IRA deadlines. December 31,...
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Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Will Updated I.R.S. Tables Create an Opportunity for Retirees? Life expectancy table updated for the first time since 2002. Provided by Peter Livingston If you are retired and have reached your seventies, you may have the opportunity...
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Monday, February 15, 2021
Earnings Season Gets Underway Quarterly financial reports are here. Provided by Peter Livingston Every few months, you may hear the phrase “earnings season” as you listen to financial news. But what exactly is...
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Friday, February 12, 2021
Tax Filing Season Is a Little Later This Year What to know and dates to remember Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) announced that tax season will start a little later than usual. This year the...
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Wednesday, February 10, 2021
2021 Off to a Fast Start Market volatility continues into the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues...
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Monday, February 8, 2021
Outlook 2021: Bond Prices Information you should know. Provided by Peter Livingston The 10-year Treasury yield has climbed higher since the New Year, which means that some bond prices are dropping. You may have seen the headlines that...
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Friday, February 5, 2021
Distributions from Mutual Funds Watch Your December Statements. Provided by Peter Livingston This time of year, you might glance at an account statement and see there has been an adjustment. But there may not be any cause for concern....
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Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Navigating Your Required Minimum Distribution Understand the IRS’s calculations and tables. Provided by Peter Livingston As much as you would like to, you can’t keep your money in your retirement account forever. These...
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Monday, February 1, 2021
Markets & Marriage How your investment strategy is like a long-term partnership. Provided by Peter Livingston Your investment strategy is a lot like a marriage. One day you may feel like everything’s going swimmingly. The next...
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Friday, January 29, 2021
529 Plan Contributions In most states, December 31 is an important deadline for parents and grandparents contributing to 529 plans. To qualify for a state tax credit or deduction this year related to your contribution, you may have to...
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Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Social Security Are you getting your options, right? Can you really get more? Social Security has so many rules and can be super confusing, even for the good folks at a local Social Security office. Consider this interesting situation:...
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Wednesday, January 27, 2021
2020 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 15, 2021...
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Monday, January 25, 2021
5 Highlights of the New Stimulus Package What the latest round of funding may mean for you. Provided by Peter Livingston After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021...
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Friday, January 22, 2021
It’s Not too Late to Fund Your IRA If you’re like many investors, you’re probably looking for a way to manage your tax bill. One approach to consider is contributing the full amount to your retirement accounts....
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Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Solo 401(k) plan That’s right, you can have your own 401(k) plan – even if your business consists of just you, or you and your spouse. An Individual 401(k) plan, sometimes referred to SBO 401(k), offers you opportunities...
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Monday, January 18, 2021
Financial Wellness Month Time to tune up your financial strategy. Provided by Peter Livingston January is Financial Wellness Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy.1 For a financial...
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Friday, January 15, 2021
International Wealth Mentality Month Gear your thinking toward wealth. Provided by Peter Livingston January is International Wealth Mentality Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy.1 For a...
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021
2021 Opens With a Bang Market volatility continues into the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues go...
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Monday, January 11, 2021
Retirement Blindspots Some life and financial factors that can sometimes be overlooked. Provided by Peter Livingston We all have our “blue sky” visions of the way retirement should be, yet our futures may unfold in ways we...
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Friday, January 8, 2021
Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices? Even the most seasoned investors are prone to their influence. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However,...
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Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Cash Balance Plans Should professional practices look into them? Provided by Peter Livingston In corporate America, pension plans may be fading away. Only 14% of Fortune 500 companies offered them to full-time employees in 2019. In...
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Monday, January 4, 2021
Does Main Street Need a Wall Street Strategy? How will the self-employed strategize for retirement? Provided by Peter Livingston As Wall Street pushes higher, a pandemic-weary Main Street is relearning how to manage cash flow with the...
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Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Building a Healthy Financial Foundation How many pieces do you have in place? Provided by Peter Livingston When you read about money matters, you will sometimes see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What...
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Monday, December 28, 2020
Group Life for a Growing Business? Companies adding employee benefits may want to consider it. Provided by Peter Livingston As companies grow and add employees, they also add employee benefits. Retirement and medical plans can be...
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Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Coronavirus Vaccines and the Economy Hopeful markets react. Provided by Peter Livingston As the United States sees a rise in cases of COVID-19 across the nation, news of two promising vaccines out of hundreds being tested has offered a...
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Monday, December 21, 2020
What Do I Do With All of This Money? Just because it’s a nice problem, doesn’t mean it’s not still a problem. Provided by Peter Livingston Here’s a scenario for you: You pick up what appears to be a lottery...
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Friday, December 18, 2020
A look back at 2020 thus far Presented by Peter Livingston The year in brief. The coronavirus pandemic disrupted the global economy, global financial markets, and daily life in 2020. For investors, it was certainly an eventful year....
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Speed Bumps & Headlines Focus on your overall approach during times of short-term volatility. Provided by Peter Livingston As an investor, it can be tempting to get caught up in daily news headlines. Consider how news about the...
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Monday, December 14, 2020
Interest Rates and Your Mortgage What you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston With the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates at or near zero, you may wonder about your mortgage. Is it a good time to refinance or even pay off...
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Friday, December 11, 2020
Mergers, Acquisitions, & the Markets There’s been a drop in activity. What’s next? Provided by Peter Livingston There hasn’t been much merger and acquisition activity through 2020. This diminished activity comes...
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Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Managing Drug Costs How can households meet the challenge? Provided by Peter Livingston Are prescription drug costs burdening your finances? Some people find it a challenge to manage the cost of prescription drugs. Americans pay an...
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Monday, December 7, 2020
Managing Money as a Couple What are the keys to prepare to grow wealthy together? Provided by Peter Livingston When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your financial life changes—and your approach to managing...
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Friday, December 4, 2020
How and When to Sign Up for Medicare Breaking down the enrollment periods and eligibility. Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare enrollment is automatic for some. For those receiving Social Security benefits, the coverage starts on the...
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Wednesday, December 2, 2020
2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More Numbers to know for the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments...
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Monday, November 30, 2020
Long-Term Rates Are Creeping Higher What's fueling the rally? Provided by Peter Livingston With all the election chatter and stock market volatility, it may have been easy to miss the ongoing uptrend in long-term interest rates. The...
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Friday, November 27, 2020
Your Year-End Financial Checklist Aspects of your financial life to review as the year draws to a close. Provided by Peter Livingston The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and the goals we want...
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Wednesday, November 25, 2020
2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More Numbers to know for the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments...
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Monday, November 23, 2020
Robo-Advisors vs. Human Financial Professionals If an investor chooses a non-human financial advisor, what price could they end up paying? Provided by Peter Livingston Investors have a choice today that they did not have a decade ago....
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Friday, November 20, 2020
Year-End Estate Strategies What you need to know to get ready for the end of the year. Provided by Peter Livingston With one year ending and a new one on the cusp of starting, many people will consider their resolutions—not their...
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Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think...
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Monday, November 16, 2020
Election 2020: Biden’s Policy Initiatives Potential proposals and their legislative requirements. Provided by Peter Livingston Now that several major news groups have projected Joe Biden the winner of the presidential...
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Friday, November 13, 2020
Is Masters Golf A Bogey Or Hole-In-One Market Predictor? Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog This year’s Masters Golf Tournament teed off Thursday at the Augusta National Course in Georgia. While there will be some familiar...
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Friday, November 13, 2020
Election 2020 Wall Street reacts to a potentially divided government. Provided by Peter Livingston After many weeks of telegraphing a long and careful ballot count, this week’s election lived up to that prediction in races for...
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Wednesday, November 11, 2020
How Medigap Choices Have Changed What you need to know about Plan F and Plan G. Provided by Peter Livingston As many may recall, seniors who previously enrolled in Medicare are facing some changes. Medigap Plan F might not be sold...
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Monday, November 9, 2020
The Social Security Administration Announces 2021 COLA What you should know about the most recent cost-of-living adjustment. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially...
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Friday, November 6, 2020
TIPS for Inflation A look at these securities, in light of the Federal Reserve’s new outlook. Provided by Peter Livingston This summer, the Federal Reserve made a key policy shift. It announced that it would focus on promoting...
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Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Home Improvements Trending Higher More time at home, more home improvements Provided by Peter Livingston Due to COVID-19, Americans are spending more time at home than ever before, leading to a record amount of spending on home...
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Monday, November 2, 2020
Facts About Medicare Open Enrollment How much do you know about the different coverage options? Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. If you are enrolling in Medicare...
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Friday, October 30, 2020
Election 2020 A Dose of Patience. Provided by Peter Livingston The upcoming election is prompting some people to reconsider their investment strategy. In fact, 45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make...
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Election 2020 Preparing for Any Outcome. Provided by Peter Livingston As the U.S. presidential election draws near, expect to see more and more headlines that propose, "What will happen next if this person is elected?" or, "What policy...
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Monday, October 26, 2020
Election 2020 Managing Your Emotions. Provided by Peter Livingston 45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their investments due to the upcoming 2020 presidential election.1 No matter how you...
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Friday, October 23, 2020
October Is Financial Planning Month Six areas of personal finance to review. Provided by Peter Livingston When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a...
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Wednesday, October 21, 2020
FAFSA Applications Are Now Open Federal Student Aid opportunities are often first-come, first-served. Provided by Peter Livingston Applications for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are now open for the academic year...
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Monday, October 19, 2020
Budgeting for Beginners Getting started with you household budget. Provided by Peter Livingston Budgeting towards needs and goals. One of the objectives of creating a household budget is that, as time moves on and the various household...
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Friday, October 16, 2020
Election 2020: Economic Issues in the Crosshairs Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston It should come as no surprise to hear the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2020 election. Nearly 8 in ten...
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Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Ouch: September’s Market Correction Hurt Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston In theory, investors understand that stock market corrections are part of the investing process. But experiencing a...
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Monday, October 12, 2020
End-of-the-Year Money Moves Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2020. Provided by Peter Livingston What has changed for you in 2020? For many, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did...
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Friday, October 9, 2020
Extraordinary Times Mean Extra Federal Debt Federal borrowing has increased due to the coronavirus pandemic. Provided by Peter Livingston America’s debt is now nearly as large as its economy. On September 2, the Congressional...
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Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Football Is Back America is “ready for football,” while financial professionals are ready for volatility. Provided by Peter Livingston Football is back, which means Summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and...
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Monday, October 5, 2020
Race for a Vaccine Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston A U.S. drug company recently said that it’s in late-stage trials for its coronavirus vaccine and reported that it could be given to Americans as...
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Friday, October 2, 2020
Dow 30 Changes Its Starting Lineup What you should know about the change. Provided by Peter Livingston The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the most widely followed stock market indices, has made some key changes to its...
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Wednesday, September 30, 2020
When the Fed Talks Inflation, Bond Investors Listen What the Fed’s new policy may mean for you. Provided by Peter Livingston Most recently, you may have read that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced a change in how the...
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Monday, September 28, 2020
Home Builders Confident In Economic Rebound Here’s what you need to know about the housing market. Provided by Peter Livingston To some, this may hardly feel like an economy headed for a bright future. But don’t tell that...
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Friday, September 25, 2020
Has the Stock Market Rally Left You Behind? Here’s what the recent rally could mean for you. Provided by Peter Livingston Some people in recent weeks may have been feeling that “the stock market seems to be doing so well...
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Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Why Roth IRA Conversions May Now Be Advantageous Thanks to a couple of factors, some investors are thinking about this move before 2020 ends. Provided by Jamie Hansman Roth IRAs have attracted retirement savers since their introduction...
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Monday, September 21, 2020
Conquering Retirement Challenges for Women Looking ahead can help you conquer these unique obstacles. Provided by Peter Livingston When it comes to retirement, some women face obstacles that can make saving for retirement a challenge....
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Friday, September 18, 2020
What Are Stock Splits? Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Two high-profile companies—Apple and Tesla—have announced stock splits in the past few weeks, which makes it a great time to discuss...
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense Your investment portfolio may be off-kilter, and you may not even know it. Provided by Peter Livingston Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick...
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Monday, September 14, 2020
Superior Customer Service Why is it so rare? How can we make it the norm? Provided by Peter Livingston The customer experience is one of the keys to business success. In some industries, it can mean the difference between success and...
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Friday, September 11, 2020
Taxable Events in Retirement Accounts What triggers a tax liability for an individual or a trust? Provided by Peter Livingston When you distribute, sell, or receive assets from a retirement account, taxes usually follow. It is true for...
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Wednesday, September 9, 2020
Get Your FAFSA Ready The application window for federal student loans opens on October 1. Provided by Peter Livingston Mark this date on your calendar: October 1. That is the day when current and future traditional college students can...
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Monday, September 7, 2020
Is Inflation On The Rise? What to keep in mind regarding the recent CPI numbers.. Provided by Peter Livingston Right now, many Americans are worried about their financial health due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the country. Adding...
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Friday, September 4, 2020
Why Medicare Should Be Part of Your Retirement Strategy The premiums and coverages vary, and you must realize the differences. Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare takes a little time to understand. As you approach age 65, familiarize...
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Tax & Estate Strategies Update for Married LGBTQ+ Couples In this age of marriage equality, there are new possibilities. Provided by Peter Livingston The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision streamlined tax and estate...
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Monday, August 31, 2020
A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes An overview of some of the fundamental steps to take. Provided by Peter Livingston When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief,...
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Friday, August 28, 2020
How Much Money Will You Need for Retirement? It depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Provided by Jamie Hansman "Will I outlive my retirement money?" That's one of the top fears for people who are starting to prepare...
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Wednesday, August 26, 2020
The Fed’s Year-Long Review Expected in September Changes may be on the way. Provided by Peter Livingston As many of you know, the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee has eight scheduled meetings each year when the seven board...
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Wednesday, August 26, 2020
The A, B, C, & D of Medicare Breaking down the basics. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether your 65th birthday is on the horizon or decades away, understanding the different parts of Medicare is critical, as this government-sponsored...
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Monday, August 24, 2020
Before You Claim Social Security A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston Determining when to take Social Security benefits is a complicated financial decision. Here are a few...
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Thursday, August 20, 2020
A Corporate Trustee Could Be a Smart Choice Trust administration is more difficult than many families presume. Provided by Peter Livingston In an ideal world, managing a family trust would be simple. There would be no stress, no big...
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Wednesday, August 19, 2020
The Cost of Medical Care The expense of insuring yourself may be minor compared to the price of surgeries and procedures. Provided by Peter Livingston When uninsured people end up in the hospital, “sticker shock” can follow...
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Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Will Political Changes Affect the Economy? Election years cause some anxiety. Provided by Peter Livingston With all of the storm and stress of the year 2020, you’d be forgiven if you momentarily forgot that we’re due for...
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Monday, August 17, 2020
Financial Strategies for Young Families It’s never too late to start. Provided by Peter Livingston The hardest part is getting started. Even though more than half of U.S. households have some form of investment in the stock...
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Thursday, August 13, 2020
The Taxation of Restricted Stock Units What employees need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Is your employer giving you restricted stock units (RSUs)? Here are some details about RSUs, which differ from stock options in both their...
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Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Keep an Eye on Buying & Selling by Corporate Executives A look at “insider” trading. Provided by Peter Livingston To some, the buying and selling of a company’s stock by corporate officers and directors can be an...
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Tuesday, August 11, 2020
The 2020 RMD Income Tax Relief Deadline Is Almost Here Important facts and a date to remember. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you one of the many retirement account holders who took a mandatory distribution this year? If so, you may...
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Monday, August 10, 2020
Don’t Overreact In August Understanding summer volatility. Provided by Peter Livingston One of my favorite Wall Street quotes is from Mark Twain, who said: “October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to...
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Monday, August 10, 2020
Starting a Roth IRA for a Teen This early financial decision could prove helpful over time. Provided by Peter Livingston Want to give your child or grandchild a great financial start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. There are...
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Thursday, August 6, 2020
The I.R.S. Has Enhanced the 2020 RMD Waivers Investors may be eligible to “undo” certain retirement account withdrawals before September. Provided by Peter Livingston In March, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic...
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Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Should You Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage? Market sees historic lows in mortgage rates. Provided by Peter Livingston On July 16, mortgage giant Freddie Mac announced that the average interest rate for a 30-year home loan had fallen...
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Monday, August 3, 2020
Little-Known Homeowners Insurance Facts You may be surprised to learn what is and is not covered. Provided by If you have a homeowners insurance policy, you should be aware of what this insurance does and does not cover. These policies...
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Thursday, July 30, 2020
What Is Earnings Season? Financial results are reported each quarter. Provided by Peter Livingston Every few months, you may hear the phrase “we’re entering earnings season” as you read financial news. But what...
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Wednesday, July 29, 2020
30-year Home Loans Fall to Historic Lows Investors and homebuyers take note. Provided by Peter Livingston Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020,...
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Monday, July 27, 2020
Keep Your Life Insurance When You Retire Some good reasons to retain it. Provided by Peter Livingston Do you need a life insurance policy in retirement? One school of thought says no. The kids are grown, and the need to financially...
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Wednesday, July 22, 2020
What is Reg BI? A look at Regulation Best Interest. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, you may have heard that financial industry regulators established a new set of rules designed to guide investors who work with an investment...
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Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Real-Time Data Recovery Stalled Amid COVID-19 Resurgence Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog We check in again today on some of the real-time economic data that LPL Research is monitoring to provide insight into how the latest...
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Monday, July 6, 2020
Labor Market Continues Its Momentum Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Following the massive beat in May nonfarm payrolls, many wondered if last month’s job gains pulled forward hiring ahead of the expiration of the Paycheck...
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Wednesday, July 1, 2020
What Determines Car Insurance Rates? Driver history is just one factor; there are many others. Provided by Peter Livingston Your auto insurance premium is based on more than your driving history. The amount you pay for auto insurance...
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Monday, June 29, 2020
Why Stocks Can Predict The Next President Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Although the fight against COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines and our thoughts are with those affected, this is an election year and as we get...
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Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Coupon Clipping for Investment Income Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog What can we learn about investment income opportunities from coupon-clipping environments? From 1977 to 2019, the price of the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate...
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Monday, June 22, 2020
Saving Early & Letting Time Work for You The earlier you start pursuing financial goals, the better your outcome may be. Provided by Peter Livingston As a young investor, you have a powerful ally on your side: time. When you start...
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Monday, June 15, 2020
Before You Claim Social Security A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether you want to leave work at 62, 67, or 72, claiming the retirement benefits you are entitled to by...
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Monday, June 15, 2020
Retirement Plan Options for Small Businesses The SECURE Act and CARES Act may complicate the decision. Provided by Peter Livingston As a small-business owner, figuring out retirement choices can be a little intimidating. How do you...
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Thursday, June 11, 2020
Market Update: Thurs, Jun 11, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS Stocks opened lower. A down day today would deliver the S&P 500 Index’s first three-day losing streak since March. A potential...
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Tuesday, June 9, 2020
It’s Official, We’re In A Recession Posted by lplresearch Market Blog In probably one of the least surprising economic calls of all time, the Nation Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially declared an end to the...
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Monday, June 8, 2020
College Funding Options You can plan to meet the costs through a variety of methods. Provided by Peter Livingston How can you cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be key for most families. Here...
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Wednesday, June 3, 2020
2020 In Charts Posted by lplresearch Market Blog 2020 is only five months old, but in many ways it is one of the most historic years we’ve ever seen. “2020 went from moving along nicely, to seeing the worst recession in a...
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Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Eldercare Choices in the COVID-19 Era Exploring your extended care options may be wise at this time. Provided by Peter Livingston Given the threat of COVID-19, seniors today may be considering their extended care alternatives with...
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Thursday, May 28, 2020
Making a Charitable Contribution There are benefits and limitations when you decide to donate stock. Provided by Peter Livingston Why sell shares when you can gift them? If you have appreciated stocks in your portfolio, you might want...
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Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Corporate Bond Spreads Decline as Fed Increases ETF Purchases Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog The Federal Reserve (Fed) increased its bond exchange-traded funds (ETF) purchases in the week ending May 20 (the most recent data...
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Thursday, May 21, 2020
“Backdoor” Roth IRAs If you make too much money to open a Roth IRA, you could create one this way. Provided by Peter Livingston You can sum up the appeal of a Roth IRA in three words: federal tax benefit. Potential earnings...
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Wednesday, May 20, 2020
What Happens When The Bear Ends? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The incredible rally off the March 23 lows continues for equities, with the S&P 500 Index now up more than 32% in 40 trading days. As impressive as the rally has been,...
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Tuesday, May 19, 2020
A Look at Recent Weakness Posted by lplresearch Market Blog As we discussed in earlier this week in Markets Due for a Pause, there were multiple technical reasons to believe that US equities were due for some sort a pullback following...
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Thursday, May 14, 2020
How Expensive Are Stocks Right Now? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog As stocks rallied 30% off the March 23 lows and earnings expectations were cut dramatically, valuations have become increasingly concerning for many investors...
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Mortgage-Backed Securities Attractive for High Quality Income Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Like most major segments of the bond market outside Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) experienced increased market stress as...
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Wednesday, May 13, 2020
May Is Disability Insurance Awareness Month What it is, and why it's important. Provided by Peter Livingston Did you know that May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month? First started in 2007, the month of May was the first time that...
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Monday, May 11, 2020
Record COVID-19 Testing Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The number of COVID-19 tests in the US has ramped up significantly, which is a major step to defeating this terrible pandemic. “We know we need more testing to help...
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Thursday, May 7, 2020
Details on the Tax Deadline Extension The I.R.S. is giving you three additional months to file and pay. Provided by Peter Livingston The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So, it has reset...
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Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Tax-Loss Harvesting A useful year-end move to counteract capital gains. Provided by Peter Livingston Even though this may end up being a subpar year for stocks, you may realize capital gains, which is a taxable event. What can you do...
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Tuesday, May 5, 2020
FAQs About the 2020 Stimulus Checks Answers to some frequently asked questions. Provided by Peter Livingston The federal government is providing a little economic relief to many taxpayers. The Internal Revenue Service is sending...
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Monday, May 4, 2020
A Stock Market Lesson to Remember Confidence can quickly erode, but it can also quickly emerge. Provided by Peter Livingston Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors. An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic...
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Thursday, April 30, 2020
Market Update: Thur, Apr 30, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS Earnings standouts helping the Nasdaq. The broad S&P 500 Index opened lower this morning amid some skepticism about whether the rally off...
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Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Silver Lining in Consumer Confidence Data Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for April came in 86.9, falling more than 30 points from the prior month. The monthly drop was...
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Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Market Update: Tues, Apr 28, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS US markets continue to push higher. After closing at a multi-week high Monday, the S&P 500 is looking at a strong start this morning....
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Monday, April 27, 2020
Street View: Gas Guzzling Contracts Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Oil had a wild week last week, even turning negative on Monday, April 20, as worries about lower demand in a sharp recession and where to store the actual barrels...
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Thursday, April 23, 2020
The Federal Reserve’s Unprecedented Moves What they are. How they help. Provided by Peter Livingston In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every state in America is under some sort of stay-at-home order. This unprecedented...
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Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Negative Oil Futures Price Creates Confusion Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Headlines had oil selling at -$37.63 per barrel at close on Monday, April 20. The negative sign in front? Sellers had to pay buyers $37.63 to take the oil...
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Thursday, April 16, 2020
What Might Future Bond Returns Look Like? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Stock returns get all the headlines, and with US equities entering their first bear market since 2008, there is good reason for that. However, fixed income...
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Thursday, April 16, 2020
Roth IRA Conversion in the Era of COVID-19 Is it right for you? Provided by Peter Livingston The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly every aspect of American life. To say it’s been a difficult time would be an understatement....
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Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Gaining Confidence in a COVID-19 Peak Posted by lplresearch Markets Blog We continue to follow our Road to Recovery Playbook for help determining where the market is in its bottoming process. Today we are making two changes. The first...
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Tuesday, April 14, 2020
A Recession Is Here The economy has halted for the past several weeks, and with it the longest economic expansion ever has ended, meaning we are now in a recession. What makes this recession unique is the government intentionally...
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Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Big Annual Declines Are Rare Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Stocks have rallied nicely off the March 23 lows on the back of a bold policy response from the Federal Reserve (Fed) and lawmakers in Washington, DC, which was followed...
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Monday, April 6, 2020
Business Continuity Plans Prepare now to better protect your business in the future. Provided by Peter Livingston As a business owner, you’ve worked hard for your success. The long hours, the difficult decisions, and the...
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Monday, April 6, 2020
Key Provisions of the CARES Act Distributions can be waived in 2020 for Inherited Accounts, 401(k)s, and IRAs. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security”...
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Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Road to Recovery Playbook Factor #1: COVID-19 Case Update Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Factor #1 in our Road to Recovery Playbook is finding confidence in the peak of COVID-19 cases in the United States. At LPL Research we are...
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Monday, March 30, 2020
Market Update: Mon, Mar 30, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS Another big week. Stocks opened higher on the heels of huge gains last week. President Trump extended the CDC’s social distancing...
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Monday, March 30, 2020
Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets What’s the difference? What do these terms mean for you? Provided by Peter Livingston The COVID-19 outbreak has put tremendous pressure on stock prices, prompting some investors to blindly...
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Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Road to Recovery Playbook Factor #1: Peak COVID-19 Cases Posted by lplresearch Market Blog As COVID-19-related fear continues grip global financial markets, we wanted to take a closer look at factor #1 in our Road to Recovery...
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Monday, March 23, 2020
Bear Markets Come and Go The longest bull market in history lasted almost 11 years before coronavirus fears and the realities of a seriously disrupted U.S. economy brought it to an end. If you are losing sleep over volatility driven by...
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Monday, March 23, 2020
Traditional Vs. Roth IRA Do you know the difference? Provided by Peter Livingston Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), which were created in 1974, are owned by roughly 33.2 million U.S. households. Roth IRAs, however, were...
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Thursday, March 19, 2020
How Quickly Can Stocks Recover From COVID-19? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The market volatility continues, as the S&P 500 Index has closed either up or down 4% or more for a record 7 consecutive days. With the S&P 500 Index down...
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Monday, March 16, 2020
The Fastest Bear Market Ever Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The historic volatility continues, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average officially setting its fastest move from a new all-time high to a bear market (down 20% from the...
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Friday, March 13, 2020
Signs Of A Washout? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The S&P 500 Index’s historic slide continued yesterday, culminating in nearly a 10% loss for the day, and leaving the benchmark index officially in bear market territory,...
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Thursday, March 12, 2020
Positive Signs From China on COVID-19 Posted by lplresearch Market Blog COVID-19 related fear has gripped markets, driving the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index into bear territory. As difficult as these markets are...
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Monday, March 9, 2020
PRESENTED BY Peter Livingston This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and the information given has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. This is not intended as a guide for the preparation of tax returns, nor...
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Monday, March 9, 2020
Coronavirus Concerns? Consider Past Health Crises During the last week of February 2020, the S&P 500 lost 11.49% — the worst week for stocks since the 2008 financial crisis — only to jump by 4.6% on the first Monday in...
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10-Year Treasury Yield Breaks Below 1% Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Despite strong market gains on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the on-the-run 10-year Treasury yield ended the day below 1% for the first time ever and has posted...
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Thursday, March 5, 2020
U.S. Manufacturing Sector Holds Up Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Amid all of the attention on the coronavirus outbreak and related market volatility, and rightly so, we did get one of the most impactful U.S. economic data points...
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Coronavirus & More The 24-Hour News Cycle moves from Impeachment to COVID-19 to the Primaries – What’s next? Provided by Peter Livingston In recent weeks, we’ve seen several major stories in the news. On the political...
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Approaches to Business Valuation Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston In the third quarter of 2019, more than 2,400 small businesses were sold. The median sale price was roughly $278,000, up 3.3% from 2018.1...
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Thursday, February 27, 2020
Gauging Potential Economic Impact of Covid-19 Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog The coronavirus outbreak—or Covid-19 —has caused significant market volatility over the past week. Our approach as always is to focus on...
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The Coronavirus Outbreak Is Spreading Posted by lplresearch Market Blog News that the coronavirus—known as COVID-19—has spread to South Korea, Italy, Japan, and Iran, has led to massive selling around the globe, with many...
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Monday, February 24, 2020
A Roth IRA’s Many Benefits Why do so many people choose them over traditional IRAs? Provided by Peter Livingston The IRA that changed the whole retirement savings perspective. Since the Roth IRA was introduced in 1998, its...
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Monday, February 24, 2020
Tax Considerations for Retirees Are you aware of these potential tax breaks and tax-saving opportunities? Provided by Peter Livingston The federal government offers some major tax breaks for older Americans. Some of these perks deserve...
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Tuesday, February 18, 2020
That First Distribution from Your IRA What you need to know. Provided by Jamie Hansman When you are in your seventies, Internal Revenue Service rules say that you must start making withdrawals from your traditional IRA(s). In I.R.S....
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Tuesday, February 18, 2020
How to Prepare for Tax Season Presented by Jamie Hansman In this guide, we’ll explore ways to help you prepare for the upcoming tax season. Keep in mind, this guide is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for...
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Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Closer Look At February Posted by lplresearch A late month selloff in January saw the S&P 500 Index close marginally lower for the month. But stocks have taken off in February, with the S&P 500 up nearly 4% this month, as US economic...
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Tuesday, February 11, 2020
ABLE Accounts for Loved Ones with Disabilities More families should know about these tax-advantaged savings vehicles. Provided by Peter Livingston Families with special needs children have a new tax-deferred savings option. The ABLE...
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Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Market Update: Tues, Feb 4, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch LPL Research on CNBC. LPL Financial Senior Market Strategist Ryan Detrick was on CNBC’s Squawk Box yesterday with Becky Quick. You can watch the...
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Monday, February 3, 2020
Investing for Impact Socially responsible investment strategies and you. Provided by Peter Livingston SRI (Socially Responsible Investing), Impact Investing, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investing belong to a growing...
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Monday, February 3, 2020
Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is a good time to think about...
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An Average Year for GDP Growth Posted by lplresearch ECONOMIC BLOG The U.S. economy notched an average year of growth in 2019. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to Bureau of Economic...
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Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Viral Outbreak Ends Period of Market Calm Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Fears that the deadly coronavirus would spread further around the globe intensified Monday and led to the biggest one-day drop in the S&P 500 Index since...
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Monday, January 27, 2020
Ways to Fund Special Needs Trusts A look at the different options & strategies. Provided by Peter Livingston If you have a child with special needs, a trust may be a financial priority. There are many crucial goods and services that...
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Monday, January 27, 2020
2019 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 1, 2020 is...
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Thursday, January 23, 2020
Small Caps Struggle in Record-High Drought Posted by lplresearch MARKET BLOG Stock markets around the world have hit new record highs this year, but U.S. small cap stocks have yet to join the party. As shown in the LPL Chart of the...
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Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Tremendous Gains Since 2009 A look at where stocks were in 2009 and how they have performed since. Provided by Peter Livingston Where were you on March 9, 2009? Do you remember the headwinds hitting Wall Street then? When the closing...
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Tuesday, January 21, 2020
New I.R.S. Contribution Limits A look at the maximum amounts you can put into retirement accounts this year. Provided by Peter Livingston The I.R.S. just announced the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used...
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Thursday, January 16, 2020
Main Street’s Sentiment Perks Up Posted by lplresearch A milestone in the U.S.-China trade dispute has boosted corporate sentiment, according to the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) latest Beige Book. In the Beige Book, the Fed...
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Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Q4 Earnings Season is All About 2020 Posted by lplresearch MARKET BLOG Fourth quarter earnings season kicked off this week with 24 S&P 500 Index companies slated to report results. Our expectations are for a marginal increase in S&P...
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Monday, January 13, 2020
Health Care Costs Are Cutting into Retirement Preparations This is happening in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Provided by Peter Livingston You may have seen this statistic before or one resembling it: the average 65-year-old retiring...
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Monday, January 13, 2020
The SECURE Act Long-established retirement account rules change. Provided by Peter Livingston The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement...
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Wednesday, January 8, 2020
How Stocks Do During Geopolitical Events Posted by lplresearch Market Blog It was a volatile night for the U.S.-Iran conflict. S&P 500 Index futures dipped 1.5% and global markets swung after Iran shot several ballistic missiles at U...
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Monday, January 6, 2020
What Mideast Escalation Means for Markets Posted by lplresearch The U.S. airstrike that killed the top Iranian military commander last week was a major escalation in Mideast tensions. In fact, it would be difficult to overstate the...
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Monday, January 6, 2020
2019 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 1, 2020 is...
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Monday, January 6, 2020
Buy-Sell Agreements for Businesses Planning for your future and beyond. Provided by Peter Livingston For most, creating an estate strategy is important to make sure your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. But it may...
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Thursday, January 2, 2020
Market Update: Thurs, Jan 2, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A new year. It’s a new year for U.S. stocks, which are higher amid headlines on new monetary stimulus measures in China. The...
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Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Market Update: Tues, Dec 31, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Last day of the year. U.S. stocks are relatively unchanged on the last trading day of 2019. Stocks may meander into the New Year in the...
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Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Don't Let Your Retirement Savings Goal Get You Down As a retirement savings plan participant, you know that setting an accumulation goal is an important part of your overall strategy. In fact, over decades of conducting its annual...
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Monday, December 30, 2019
The Major Retirement Planning Mistakes Why are they made again and again? Provided by Peter Livingston Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside...
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Thursday, December 19, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Dec 19, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Markets largely quiet overnight. Asian and European markets saw marginal declines overnight, while U.S. futures sat near flat. Whatever...
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Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Don’t Fear the Repo Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogDecember 18, 2019 The fourth quarter is winding down, and investors are getting nervous that volatility in the short-term lending market could flare up once again. Rates on...
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Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Is It Time For Santa? Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogDecember 17, 2019 December has been widely viewed as a strong month for stocks, with this year following suit so far. What many probably don’t realize, however, is the...
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Tuesday, December 17, 2019
As soon as your children begin to handle money, start teaching them how to handle it wisely. Teach Your Children Well: Basic Financial Education Even before your children can count, they already know something about money: it's what...
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Monday, December 16, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Dec 16, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks higher. Stocks are higher this morning, adding to gains after the S&P 500 Index capped its ninth weekly increase in 10 weeks. The U...
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Monday, December 16, 2019
A Retirement Fact Sheet Some specifics about the “second act.” Provided by «representativename» Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about...
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Thursday, December 12, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Dec 12, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Central bank watch. Stocks are unchanged this morning as investors digest two pivotal central bank decisions. On Wednesday, the Federal...
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Four Fed Hikes, One Year Later Posted by lplresearch The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) final policy meeting of 2019 starts today and will conclude tomorrow with the release of the Fed’s policy statement, updated economic...
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Tuesday, December 10, 2019
2020 Key Numbers Individual Income Tax Planning Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), child tax credit, earned income tax credit, itemized deductions, kiddie tax, personal exemptions, and more. More Details 2020 Federal Income Tax Rate...
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Tuesday, December 10, 2019
New I.R.S. Contribution Limits Changes for 2020. Provided by Peter Livingston The I.R.S. just increased the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used retirement plan accounts for 2020. Here’s a quick look...
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Monday, December 9, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Dec 9, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade continues to lead headlines. The S&P 500 Index is set to open modestly lower amid concerns of impending December tariffs as investors...
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Thursday, December 5, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Dec 5, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks rebound. Stocks are up this morning, adding to the S&P 500 Index’s 0.6% gain on Wednesday. Trade sentiment has shifted once...
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Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Reasons We Still Believe In December Posted by lplresearch Market BlogDecember 4, 2019 It has been a rough start to the most wonderful month of them all, with the S&P 500 Index down each of the first two days of December. Don’t...
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Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Dec 4, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks bounce back. Stocks are bouncing back this morning after they kicked off December with a two-day slide. The S&P 500 Index has dropped...
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Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Bringing Markets Into Focus in Outlook 2020 Posted by lplresearch Outlook 2020 BlogDecember 3, 2019 Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. As we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some...
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Monday, December 2, 2019
Debunking Common Retirement Assumptions Don’t fall for these misconceptions. Provided by Peter Livingston Financial generalizations are as old as time. Some have been around for decades, while others have only recently joined...
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Monday, December 2, 2019
Creating a Retirement Strategy Most people just invest for the future. You have a chance to do more. Provided by Peter Livingston Across the country, people are saving for that “someday” called retirement. Someday, their...
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Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Market Update: Tues, Nov 26, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks little changed. U.S. stocks are little changed this morning after the S&P 500 Index notched its 11th record high since the end of...
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Monday, November 25, 2019
Cash Flow Management An underappreciated fundamental in financial planning. Provided by Peter Livingston You’ve probably heard the saying that “cash is king,” and that truth applies whether you own a business or not....
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Monday, November 25, 2019
Ways to Repair Your Credit Score Steps to get your credit rating back toward 720. Provided by Peter Livingston We all know the value of a good credit score. We all try to maintain one. Sometimes, though, life throws us a financial...
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Monday, November 25, 2019
Coping with College Loans Paying them down and managing their financial impact. Provided by Peter Livingston Total student loan debt in America is now around $1.6 trillion. Since 2008, it has more than doubled. Federal Reserve data...
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Monday, November 25, 2019
Measuring the Value of a Financial Advisor One study asserts that these relationships can make a difference for investors. Provided by Brooke Graham What is a relationship with a financial advisor worth to an investor? A 2019 study by...
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Thursday, November 21, 2019
Fed Feeling Upbeat Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogNovember 21, 2019 An upbeat economic outlook may be edging out elevated downside risks in the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision-making. Minutes from the Fed’s October...
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Thursday, November 21, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Nov 21, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Conflicting signals. U.S. stocks are little changed this morning as conflicting trade headlines pour in. The S&P 500 Index declined on...
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Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Nov 20, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights On the Recession Watch. With the S&P 500 Index at record highs, our outlook remains optimistic, but we don’t want to be complacent....
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019
A look back at 2019, thus far… Presented by Peter Livingston The year in brief. 2019 brought three quarters of disagreement over trade issues between the U.S. and China… followed by fourth-quarter hints that a partial...
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Your Year-End Financial Checklist Six aspects of your financial life to review as the year draws to a close. Provided by Peter Livingston The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and long-term...
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019
What if You Get Audited? What the I.R.S. looks for and why. Provided by Peter Livingston “Audit” is a word that can strike fear into the hearts of taxpayers. However, the chances of an Internal Revenue Service audit...
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Facts About Medicare Open Enrollment How much do you know about the different coverage options? Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare’s open enrollment period runs through December 7. If you are enrolling in Medicare for the...
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Market Update: Tues, Nov 19, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights On the Recession Watch. With the S&P 500 Index at record highs, our outlook remains optimistic, but we don’t want to be complacent....
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Monday, November 18, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Nov 18, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Big week for retailers. Third quarter S&P 500 Index earnings growth is tracking to a 2.3% year-over-year decline, nearly 2 percentage...
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Thursday, November 14, 2019
Global Growth Stabilizing Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogNovember 14, 2019 The long wait may be over. No, we aren’t talking about a U.S.-China trade agreement, though that may come before the end of this year. The two sides...
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Thursday, November 14, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Nov 14, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Another record high. U.S. stocks are lower this morning, taking a step back after the S&P 500 Index’s seventh record high in three...
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Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Nov 13, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights More negative headlines. U.S. stocks are lower this morning after President Donald Trump said on November 12 that the United States would...
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Trust Deed Investments Though sometimes profitable, they also carry heavy risk. Provided by Peter Livingston Trust deeds may seem to be a fairly straightforward form of financial investment. You may have heard of them in passing...
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Market Update: Tues, Nov 12, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Two Sides of One Economy. The S&P 500 Index gained for the fifth consecutive week, making many new all-time highs in the process. Positive...
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Monday, November 11, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Nov 11, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Better than feared. With over 450 S&P 500 Index companies having reported, third quarter 2019 earnings growth is tracking to a 2.4%...
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Monday, November 11, 2019
Reducing the Risk of Outliving Your Money What steps might help you sustain and grow your retirement savings? Provided by Peter Livingston “What is your greatest retirement fear?” If you ask any group of retirees and...
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Friday, November 8, 2019
Three tips on year-end giving 1. You may be able to sidestep capital gains taxes and get a deduction by making a charitable donation of securities that have risen in value but no longer fit your strategy. 2. If you make a charitable...
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Thursday, November 7, 2019
Productivity Growth Fades Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogNovember 7, 2019 Stalled business spending is having ripple effects on U.S. company efficiency. Nonfarm productivity (output per worker) unexpectedly slid 0.3% in the third...
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Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Bulls Stay in Motion Posted by lplresearch Market BlogNovember 5, 2019 “An object in motion tends to remain in motion along a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force.” Sir Isaac Newton What a year it has been...
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Thursday, October 31, 2019
Three and Done Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 31, 2019 The Federal Reserve (Fed) could be three and done with interest rate cuts. On October 30, the Fed reduced interest rates by 25 basis points (0.25%) in its third rate...
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Thursday, October 31, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Oct 31, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A Fed-fueled record high. Stocks are lower this morning after the S&P 500 Index closed at a record high yesterday. Pessimistic trade...
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Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Spotting Credit Trouble How to check for problems. Provided by Peter Livingston Americans aged 45 to 54, who have credit card balances, carry an average debt of $9,096 per individual.1 The wise use of credit is a critical skill in...
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Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Making Sense of a Home Warranty Are you covered for that? Provided by Peter Livingston As a consumer, when you purchase an expensive item, like a car or refrigerator, you expect to receive a warranty that the manufacturer will repair...
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Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Cybersecurity Protecting yourself from potential calamity. Provided by Peter Livingston Cybercrime affects both large corporations and private individuals. You’ve likely read about the large data breaches in the business world....
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Wednesday, October 30, 2019
The U.S. Economy Chugs Along Posted by lplresearch Gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed for a third quarter, but the U.S. economy is still chugging along at an average pace. GDP grew 1.9% in the third quarter, its slowest pace...
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Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Oct 30, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Busy day. Stocks are little changed this morning as investors digest third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data before a Federal...
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Monday, October 28, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Oct 28, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Earnings season producing modest–but many–upside surprises. With 200 S&P 500 Index companies having reported so far, third...
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Monday, October 28, 2019
1When considering a rollover, to either an IRA or to another employer's retirement plan, you should consider carefully the investment options, fees and expenses, services, ability to make penalty-free withdrawals, degree of creditor...
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Monday, October 28, 2019
Six Steps to Consider Before Tapping Your Retirement Savings Plan You've worked long and hard for years, saving diligently through your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. Now, with retirement on the horizon, it's time to...
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Thursday, October 24, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Oct 24, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks cheer positive headlines. Stocks are higher this morning amid an optimistic turn in global headlines. The European Central Bank...
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Wednesday, October 23, 2019
2019 May Be One of the Best Years Ever Posted by lplresearch Market BlogOctober 23, 2019 “Everything is awesome, when you’re living out a dream.” The Lego Movie As the S&P 500 Index continues to flirt with new record...
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Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Oct 23, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks opened little changed. Global stocks are little changed this morning after a busy day for Brexit headlines, or talks around the...
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Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Millennials face financial challenges that are unique to their generation. One of the first steps in overcoming them is to understand some basic financial concepts. Millennials are the largest living adult generation. Source:...
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Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Buying a Home Buying a HomeThere's no doubt about it--owning a home is an exciting prospect. After all, you've always dreamed of having a place that you could truly call your own. But buying a home can be stressful, especially when...
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Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Another Brexit Delay Likely Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 22, 2019 The United Kingdom’s (U.K.) withdrawal from the European Union (E.U.), or Brexit, is stumbling along, and another delay looks increasingly likely....
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Monday, October 21, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Oct 21, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Earnings update. So far, U.S. earnings season has been generally in line with expectations. With 75 S&P 500 Index companies having reported...
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Monday, October 21, 2019
End-of-the-Year Money Moves Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2019. Provided by Peter Livingston What has changed for you in 2019? Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? Did you retire? Did you...
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Friday, October 18, 2019
Uncertainty Persists on Main Street Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 17, 2019 Elevated uncertainty has persisted on Main Street, according to the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) latest Beige Book. In the Beige Book, the Fed...
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Retirement Planning Key Numbers Retirement plan compensation limits 2018 2019 Maximum compensation per participant that can be used to calculate tax-deductible employer contribution (qualified plans/SEPs) $275,000 $280,000...
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Wednesday, October 16, 2019
According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, just four in 10 workers say that they have tried to calculate how much they will need to retire comfortably. (Source: EBRI, 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey) Workers who are...
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Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Market Update: Tues, Oct 15, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Earnings season kicks off. U.S. stocks are higher this morning as third quarter earnings season kicks off with a slew of big bank reports....
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Monday, October 14, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Oct 14, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A verbal agreement. Friday, October 11, the U.S. announced that it had reached a verbal agreement with China, concluding two days of...
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Friday, October 11, 2019
Market Update: Fri, Oct 11, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Global optimism. Stocks are up this morning as investors watch for any developments in U.S. and China officials’ face-to-face trade...
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Thursday, October 10, 2019
Overlooked Tax Deductions for Small-Business Owners Helpful tips for tax time. Provided by Peter Livingston Being a small-business owner isn’t easy. After all, balancing payroll, managing employees, drawing up marketing plans,...
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Thursday, October 10, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Oct 10, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Talks set to begin. Stocks are down this morning, taking a breather after a volatile start to the week. Investors have focused primarily...
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Wednesday, October 9, 2019
China’s Growth Shows Signs of Stability Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 09, 2019 The United States and China have faced growing economic pressure to reach a trade deal. However, the stress may be fading for one party....
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Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Oct 9, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A partial trade deal. Trade is dominating headlines once again, just a day before U.S. and China officials are slated to kick off...
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Market Update: Tues, Oct 8, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights One step back. U.S. stocks are sliding on renewed reports that the Trump administration is planning to restrict U.S. investors’...
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Can The Economy Predict The Next President? Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 08, 2019 “The economy, stupid” — Phrase campaign strategist James Carville used to help Bill Clinton get elected in 1992. As...
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Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Raising Healthy Children Good habits can be formed early. Provided by Peter Livingston One of the greatest legacies any parent can give a child is a framework for living an enduring, healthy lifestyle. It is hard to underestimate the...
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Monday, October 7, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Oct 7, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade pessimism. U.S. stocks are lower this morning on speculation that China may be increasingly reluctant to strike a trade deal....
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Monday, October 7, 2019
Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is a good time to think about...
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Friday, October 4, 2019
Labor Market Chugs Along Posted by lplresearch Market BlogOctober 04, 2019 The U.S. labor market keeps chugging along, despite signs of weakness in other pockets of the U.S. economy. Nonfarm payrolls rose 136,000 in September, and...
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Friday, October 4, 2019
Welcome To The Fourth Quarter Posted by lplresearch Market BlogOctober 03, 2019 Well, that wasn’t the start to the fourth quarter that the bulls wanted. The S&P 500 Index has dropped at least 1% on consecutive days to start the...
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Monday, September 30, 2019
That First RMD from Your IRA What you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston When you reach age 70½, the Internal Revenue Service instructs you to start making withdrawals from your traditional IRA(s). These withdrawals are...
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Monday, September 30, 2019
Systematic Withdrawal Strategies Should you arrange automatic distributions from your retirement or investment accounts? Provided by Peter Livingston Some retirees wish they could simplify money management. Estimating investment income...
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Monday, September 30, 2019
The Solo 401(k) A retirement savings vehicle designed for the smallest businesses. Provided by Peter Livingston Do you work for yourself? Then take a look at the solo 401(k), which marries a traditional employee retirement savings...
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Monday, September 16, 2019
The chart (below, right) shows a tale of two curves. The yield curve at the beginning of 2017 reflected strong optimism about future growth, while the curve on August 14, 2019, suggested a much more pessimistic outlook. Upside Down:...
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Monday, September 16, 2019
Roughly half of consumers plan their back-to-school shopping around major sales events. Source: 2019 NRF Back-to-School/College Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics Survey Details Back-to-School Spending for 2019...
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Monday, September 16, 2019
A data breach is an incident in which private, personal information is exposed, viewed without authorization, or stolen. Data Breaches: Tips for Protecting Your Identity and Your Money Large-scale data breaches are in the news again,...
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Monday, September 9, 2019
Do your homework · Before investing in a mutual fund, carefully consider its investment objectives, risks, fees, and expenses, which are contained in the prospectus available from the fund. Review the prospectus carefully...
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Monday, September 9, 2019
Coming to a general agreement on what your priorities are and roughly when you hope to achieve each one can greatly simplify the process of deciding how to invest. Making sure both spouses know how and (equally important) why their...
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Monday, September 9, 2019
Words to ponder "Investors should remember that excitement and expenses are their enemies. And if they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when...
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Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Insurance Needs when Married with Children Considering coverage for your household. Provided by Peter Livingston A growing family, by definition, means growing financial obligations – both in the present and in the future....
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Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Your Extended Care Strategy Are you prepared for the possibility – and expense – of eldercare? Provided by Peter Livingston Do you have an extra $33,000 to $100,000 to spare this year? How about next year, and the year...
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Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Cash Balance Plans More professional practices (and practice groups) should look into them. Provided by Peter Livingston In corporate America, pension plans are fading away. Only 16% of Fortune 500 companies offered them to full-time...
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Leading Indicators Signal Growth Ahead Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog U.S. leading indicators rebounded in July, a good sign for the durability of the expansion. The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 0.5%...
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019
When Powell Speaks, Markets Listen Posted by lplresearch Market BlogAugust 26, 2019 When Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell speaks, markets listen. Friday, August 23, the markets had a new opportunity to gauge the Fed’s...
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Global vs. International: What’s the Difference? Global mutual funds vs. international mutual funds. Provided by Peter Livingston For investors who are looking to diversify their portfolio with exposure to companies located...
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List A way to help you prepare. Provided by Peter Livingston The baby boomers redefined everything they touched, from music to marriage to parenting and even what “old” means – 60...
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Monday, August 12, 2019
Technicals Support the Market Posted by lplresearch U.S.-China trade tensions have ratcheted up again following President Trump’s decision to level tariffs on the remaining $300 billion of U.S. imports from China. Combine that...
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Monday, August 12, 2019
Your Diversified Portfolio vs. the S&P 500 How global returns and proper diversification are affecting overall returns. Provided by Peter Livingston “Why is my portfolio underperforming the market?” This question may be on...
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Monday, August 12, 2019
A Retirement Fact Sheet Some specifics about the “second act.” Provided by Peter Livingston Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about life after 50...
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Monday, August 5, 2019
Investing Basics Saving and Investing Wisely The first step in investing is to secure a strong financial foundation. More Details Building on Your Foundation Before you invest money, you should spend time setting your personal goals...
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Monday, August 5, 2019
What is the Congressional Budget Office? The Congressional Budget Office is a nonpartisan agency that produces independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the congressional budget process. Each year, the agency's...
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Monday, August 5, 2019
Thoughts on the Fed Rate Cut Posted by lplresearch U.S. monetary policy has taken another U-turn. The Federal Reserve (Fed) announced a 25-basis point (0.25%) rate reduction July 31. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, The Federal...
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Monday, July 29, 2019
Financials Appear Poised For a Strong Second Half Posted by lplresearch After a disappointing start to the year, financials were the top performing sector in the second quarter. And technical analysis suggests they may have more room...
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Monday, July 29, 2019
How Medigap Choices Are Changing Plan F is fading away, and Plan G may gain more popularity. Provided by Peter Livingston Soon, two types of Medigap policies will no longer be sold. Seniors who enroll in Medicare in 2020 or later will...
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Tuesday, July 23, 2019
S&P 500 Hit Our Target—Time to Sell? Posted by lplresearch The S&P 500 Index is within 1% of our year-end fair value S&P 500 target of 3,000 after rallying 20% this year and broaching that target several times in July. We set...
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Monday, July 22, 2019
401(k) Loan Repayment A longer repayment time can be an advantage. Provided by Peter Livingston The conventional wisdom about taking a loan from your 401(k) plan is often boiled down to: not unless absolutely necessary. That said, it...
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Monday, July 22, 2019
Put it in a Letter Express your wishes. Provided by Peter Livingston Actor Lee Marvin once said, “As soon as people see my face on a movie screen, they [know] two things: first, I’m not going to get the girl, and second,...
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Monday, July 15, 2019
Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement Avoid these situations, if you can. Provided by Peter Livingston Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are...
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Monday, July 15, 2019
Will You Avoid These Estate Planning Mistakes? Too many wealthy households commit these common blunders. Provided by Peter Livingston Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals....
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Monday, July 8, 2019
Tax Moves to Consider in Summer Now is a good time to think about a few financial matters. Provided by Peter Livingston Consider making tax moves earlier rather than later. If you own a business, earn significant investment income, are...
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Monday, July 8, 2019
Investment Policy Statements What are they? Why are they important? Provided by Peter Livingston A self-fulfilling policy. An investment policy statement (IPS) is a document which helps the client and advisor stay “on the same...
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Monday, July 1, 2019
Diversification, Patience, and Consistency Three important factors when it comes to your financial life. Provided by Peter Livingston Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment...
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Monday, July 1, 2019
Tax Efficiency What it means; why it counts. Provided by Peter Livingston The after-tax return vs. the pretax return. Everyone wants their investments to perform well. But for many investors it’s their after-tax return that may...
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Thursday, June 27, 2019
LPL Midyear Outlook: Emerging Markets Pacing Global Growth Posted by lplresearch We believe fundamentals are supportive of moderate gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year, as we discussed in our just-released Midyear Outlook...
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Monday, June 24, 2019
Keep Calm, Stay On Plan Expect volatility, but avoid letting the headlines alter your plans. Provided by Peter Livingston Recent headlines have added volatility to the markets. There will always be new headlines, and any of them could...
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Monday, June 24, 2019
The Financial Realities of Longevity Your financial future is up to you and no one else. Provided by Peter Livingston What will be your future? You know that solid retirement strategy takes your time horizon, an often unpredictable...
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Friday, June 21, 2019
Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Dovish Central Banks Propel Stocks to New Highs US: S&P 500 Index +2.2%, Dow +2.4%, Nasdaq +3.0%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +1.6%, German DAX +2.0% France CAC 40 +3.0%,...
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Thursday, June 20, 2019
Can Stocks Really Gain 20% This Year? Posted by lplresearch U.S. stocks could have a big year if LPL Research’s forecasts prove correct. All year, we’ve maintained our fair value target on the S&P 500 Index of 3,000,...
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Monday, June 17, 2019
Cash Could Soon Be Kaput The rise of mobile pay and what it might mean for your personal finances. The growth of mobile payments has far outpaced that of credit cards, making a cashless society much more likely in the near future....
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Monday, June 17, 2019
The FIRE Movement A radical new approach to working, saving, and retiring. Provided by Peter Livingston Retire before 50 and live your best life. That is the message of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, which is...
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Monday, June 17, 2019
Helping Your Parents Manage Financial Tasks How can you make things easier on them later in life? Provided by Peter Livingston Worldwide, the number of people aged 60 and older is growing. By 2050, this demographic will be more than...
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Monday, June 10, 2019
The Gift Tax Not all gifts are taxable. Provided by Peter Livingston I’d like for you to meet my friend, Hugh. He’s a retired film stuntman who, after a long career, is enjoying his retirement. Some of what he’s...
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Monday, June 10, 2019
Retiring Single If you are retiring single, income replacement and staying socially engaged should be considerations. Provided by Peter Livingston About 6% of Americans 65 and older have never married. That statistic comes from a 2018...
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Thursday, June 6, 2019
Main Street’s Sentiment Improves Posted by lplresearch In the Beige Book, the Fed presents qualitative observations made by community bankers and business owners—or “Main Street”—about economic (housing,...
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Thursday, June 6, 2019
Market Update: Thur, June 6, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade negotiations with Mexico continue. Progress has been made but “not nearly enough” according to President Trump, setting...
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Thursday, June 6, 2019
Smart Financial Moves in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, & 50s Beneficial moves for every age. Provided by Peter Livingston Have you ever mapped out your financial timeline? If you’re like many Americans, it may have been more difficult than...
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Is Your Company’s 401(k) Plan as Good as It Could Be? A recent court ruling may make you want to double-check. Provided by Peter Livingston How often do retirement plan sponsors check up on 401(k)s? Some small businesses may not...
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Financial Strategy for Athletes Step One: Find a trusted financial coach; Step Two: Listen to your coach. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether you are a professional athlete, a college amateur, or an aspiring Olympian, you probably...
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Thursday, May 30, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, May 30, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights GDP’s first revision. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 3.1% in the first quarter, according to the first revision, lower than the...
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Thursday, May 30, 2019
Time For A June Swoon? Posted by lplresearch Well, it finally happened. The S&P 500 Index pulled back more than 5% from its all-time high, marking the first 5% pullback of 2019. As we have discussed many times over the past two months...
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Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Market Update: Wed, May 29, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China may weaponize rare earths. Reports from Chinese media suggest China may be considering weaponizing rare earths as a retaliatory...
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Market Update: Tue, May 28, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks continue their slide. U.S. stocks continued their slide last week, as the S&P 500 Index fell for the third straight week. Global...
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Checking In On The Five Forecasters Posted by lplresearch With the bull market 10 years old and the economic cycle about to reach 10 years, the big question is how much longer can it go? To answer this question we will take a closer...
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019
The Problem of Money Paralysis Not making a move may not always be the best move to make. Provided by Peter Livingston A decision not made may have financial consequences. Sometimes, we fall prey to a kind of money paralysis, in which...
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Red Flags for Tax Auditors Here are six flags that could make your tax return prime for an I.R.S. audit. Provided by Peter Livingston No one wants to see an Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) auditor show up at their door. But in 2018,...
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Monday, May 20, 2019
Do Millennial's Play a Role in America’s Future? Ronald Reagan once stated “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for,...
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Monday, May 20, 2019
Retirement and Adult Children Supporting family can put a crimp in your strategy. Provided by Peter Livingston Families are one of the great joys in life, and part of the love you show to your family is making sure that their basic...
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Monday, May 20, 2019
An Estate Strategy for Your Digital Assets What should you know? What should your executor know? Provided by Peter Livingston When you think about your estate, you may think about your personal property, real estate, or investments....
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Friday, May 17, 2019
Stocks Stand Tall Against Headwinds Posted by lplresearch Renewed trade tensions have led to this latest bout of volatility. The recent drop in the S&P 500 Index felt worse because of how quickly it happened—from new highs to...
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Monday, May 13, 2019
Compounding Interest: The 8th Wonder Of The World Posted by lplresearch “Compounding interest is the eighth wonder of the world.” Albert Einstein When should you start investing? Yesterday is one of the best answers we can...
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Monday, May 13, 2019
TOD or Living Trust? A look at two basic methods for shielding assets from probate. Provided by Peter Livingston How do you keep assets out of probate? If that estate planning question is on your mind, you should know that there are...
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Monday, May 13, 2019
The Shred Party What should you get rid of and hold on to? When and why? Provided by Peter Livingston If a shred party happens to spring up in your area, you may want to mark your calendar. For many years, shred parties, where a...
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Monday, May 6, 2019
The Chapters of Retirement The five phases of life after 50 & the considerations that accompany them. Provided by Peter Livingston The journey to and through retirement occurs gradually, like successive chapters in a book. Each chapter...
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Monday, May 6, 2019
Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security When to start? Should I continue to work? How can I maximize my benefit? Provided by Peter Livingston Social Security will be a critical component of your financial strategy...
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Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Time to Sell in May? Part Deux Posted by lplresearch As we noted earlier this week, these next six months historically have been the worst for stocks. That is why there’s a well-known investment axiom to “Sell in May and...
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Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Market Update: Wed, May 1, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights More new highs. The S&P 500 Index closed at a new all-time high for the third consecutive day, capping its best April since 2009. This is...
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Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Rate Cut Bets on the Rise Posted by lplresearch Markets have frequently underestimated Federal Reserve (Fed) actions over the last few years, but lately the skepticism has been striking. Fed fund futures traders are increasingly...
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Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Market Update: Tue, Apr 30, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Inflation dips ahead of Fed meeting. March core personal consumption expenditures, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) preferred inflation...
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Monday, April 29, 2019
Time to Sell in May? Posted by lplresearch One of the most popular investment axioms is about to take over the airwaves: “Sell in May and Go Away.” That’s because the upcoming six months(from May until the end of...
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Monday, April 29, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Apr 29, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights New high (lights). The S&P 500 Index completed a V-shaped recovery last week to register its first record high since September 20,...
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Monday, April 29, 2019
The Cost of Procrastination Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial goals. Provided by Peter Livingston Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you...
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Monday, April 29, 2019
Taking Charge of Your Financial Life Delegating responsibilities to others may lead to problems down the road. Provided by Peter Livingston When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate responsibilities....
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Friday, April 26, 2019
A Surprising End to a Perplexing Quarter Posted by lplresearch We’ve finally closed the book on a perplexing first quarter. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 3.2% last quarter, as shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the best...
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Thursday, April 25, 2019
10 Observations on New Highs Posted by lplresearch We wrote about the new record high for the S&P 500 Index Wednesday . This is such a big market event we wanted to share some additional thoughts—10 of them in fact—on this...
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Wednesday, April 24, 2019
The Waiting Game for Record Highs Posted by lplresearch The wait is over. After more than seven months, the S&P 500 Index notched a fresh all-time closing high of 2,933.68 on April 23. To get here, investors have weathered...
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Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Apr 24, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch The wait is over. Yesterday, the S&P 500 Index notched a fresh all-time closing high of 2,933.68, while the Nasdaq Composite reached its own record high...
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Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Signs of Steepening Posted by lplresearch In March, we wrote that the Treasury yield curve was sound asleep. Since then, a quick inversion has jolted it awake. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the spread between the 2-year and...
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Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Market Update: Tues, Apr 23, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Hovering near new highs. U.S. stocks have stalled near record highs as investors sort through first-quarter earnings and a slowly improving global...
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Monday, April 22, 2019
Digging Out of a Soft Patch Posted by lplresearch Leading data released recently have confirmed the U.S. economy could be digging out of its soft patch. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the Conference Board’s Leading...
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Monday, April 22, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Apr 22, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Less than 1% from all-time highs, now what? U.S. equity markets have staged a remarkable comeback over the course of 2019, and the S&P 500...
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Monday, April 22, 2019
Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Meander Through Holiday-Shortened Week. US: S&P 500 Index -0.1%, Dow +0.6%, Nasdaq +0.2%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +0.8%, German DAX +1.9% France CAC 40 +1.4%,...
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Monday, April 22, 2019
Ten Years, Tremendous Gains A look at where stocks were in 2009 and how they have performed since. Provided by Peter Livingston Where were you on March 9, 2009? Do you remember the headwinds hitting Wall Street then? When the closing...
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Monday, April 22, 2019
Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices? Even the most seasoned investors are prone to their influence. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. They are...
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Thursday, April 18, 2019
Green Shoots on Main Street Posted by lplresearch We’ve talked a lot about green shoots in the U.S. economy recently. A slew of recent data is pointing to a rebound in growth from a disappointing first quarter hampered by global...
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Thursday, April 18, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Apr 18, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Healthcare continues to exhibit weakness. While the S&P 500 Index remains less than 2% from all-time highs, the second largest sector...
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Wednesday, April 17, 2019
What’s Priced In? Posted by lplresearch After such a strong rally this year, you may be wondering what could drive stocks higher from here. With the S&P 500 Index near its all-time high, a lot of good news could be priced in to...
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Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Apr 17, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Another round of upbeat China data. Targeted stimulus appears to be working following a series of better-than-expected data that included...
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Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Too High or Too Low? Posted by lplresearch The U.S. inflation narrative has flipped, which has caused some bond-market angst recently. Deteriorating global conditions have shifted the economic landscape and fueled concerns that...
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Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Market Update: Tue, Apr 16, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Global rate rally. Long-term rates have rallied around the world recently, likely in response to a Brexit delay, progress in trade talks,...
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Monday, April 15, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Apr 15, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Weekly Market Drivers: Last week’s market drivers included solid U.S. labor market data, the unofficial start of first quarter...
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Monday, April 15, 2019
Teaching Your Heirs to Value Your Wealth Values can help determine goals & a clear purpose. Provided by Peter Livingston Some millionaires are reluctant to talk to their kids about family wealth. Perhaps they are afraid of what their...
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Monday, April 15, 2019
Could Social Security Really Go Away? That may be unlikely, but the program does face financial challenges. Provided by Peter Livingston Will Social Security run out of money in the 2030s? You may have heard warnings about this dire...
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Thursday, April 11, 2019
Sectors to Watch This Earnings Season Posted by lplresearch First quarter earnings season begins this week with some big banks reporting on Friday. While we think profit growth will finish around flat overall, an improving macro...
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Thursday, April 11, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Apr 11, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Brexit decision delayed-again. Last night EU leaders approved a six-month delay for a Brexit decision, through October 31, though an...
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Wednesday, April 10, 2019
The December Low Indicator Has Bulls Smiling Posted by lplresearch After the best first quarter for the S&P 500 Index since 1998, the big question is: What happens next? We’ve already discussed why a good start to a year could...
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Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Apr 10, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights ECB left interest rates unchanged. In a surprise to no one, the European Central Bank (ECB) left rates unchanged and reiterated its plans...
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Tuesday, April 9, 2019
The Yield Curve’s “False Positive” Posted by lplresearch March’s yield curve commotion now looks like the first “false positive” of this expansion. While a prolonged yield curve inversion, or...
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Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Market Update: Tue, Apr 9, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Long-term rates sprouting. Last week, the 10-year Treasuryyield posted its biggest gain since the beginning of March, rising nine basis...
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Monday, April 8, 2019
Lucky Number Seven Posted by lplresearch Seven has been a lucky number for U.S. stocks. The S&P 500 Index just notched its first seven-day winning streak since October 2017. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, this feat has occurred...
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Monday, April 8, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Apr 8, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights First quarter earnings season kicks off this week and the bar seems low. Consensus estimates for first quarter earnings season are calling...
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Monday, April 8, 2019
The Retirement We Imagine, the Retirement We Live Examining the potential differences between assumption and reality. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially speaking, retirement might differ from your expectations. Just as few...
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Monday, April 8, 2019
Why Does the Wage Gap Between Men & Women Persist? While it has narrowed, a notable inequality remains. Provided by Peter Livingston First, what wage gap are we talking about? There is a commonly cited statistic that American women...
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Friday, April 5, 2019
Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Second Quarter Kicks Off With Flowers, Not Showers. US: S&P 500 Index +2.1%, Dow +1.9%, Nasdaq +2.7%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +2.4%, German DAX +4.2% France CAC 40 +2...
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Friday, April 5, 2019
Market Update: Fri, Apr 5, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights S&P looks to continue winning streak. Yesterday’s modest gain for the S&P 500 Index gave the index its sixth consecutive higher close,...
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Friday, April 5, 2019
Jobs Rebound in March Posted by lplresearch Job growth rebounded strongly in March, allaying concerns that a February slowdown was signaling the possibility of extended economic weakness. Nonfarm payrolls rose 196,000 in March,...
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Thursday, April 4, 2019
Fed Patience Tops Our Economic Final Four Posted by lplresearch Wall Street is watching a litany of telling economic and market signals, but the rest of the country is watching the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball...
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Thursday, April 4, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Apr 4, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights March global manufacturing surveys point to stable overseas growth. Markit’s global manufacturing PMI was unchanged at 50.6 in March...
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Wednesday, April 3, 2019
What Happens When January, February, and March Are All Higher? Posted by lplresearch What a start to 2019! The S&P 500 Index had its best first quarter since 1998—gaining 13.1%. Taking a deeper look at the data reveals another...
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Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Apr 4, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China, Eurozone PMIs ease global growth fears. Services data out of China and the Eurozone allayed some jitters after March PMIs for both...
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Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Cooking at Home vs. Eating Out Who doesn’t like to eat out here in Mooresville, North Carolina? From great options such as Carusos, Epic Chophouse, Kindred in Davidson, and Hello Sailor on Lake Norman. Even if it is once in...
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Tuesday, April 2, 2019
The U.S. Debt Binge Posted by lplresearch U.S. bond bulls are winning in the global search for yield. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, negative-yielding debt around the world has grown to $10.4 trillion, its highest point since...
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Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Market Update: Tue, Apr 2, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights The U.S. debt binge. U.S. bond bulls are winning in the global search for yield. Negative-yielding debt has climbed to $10.4 trillion, its...
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Monday, April 1, 2019
April’s Bullish History Posted by lplresearch Seasonality could be on the bull’s side, especially after U.S. stocks’ best first quarter in 20 years. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, April has consistently been...
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Monday, April 1, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Apr 1, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Chinese manufacturing unexpectedly rebounds. Two separate reports showed that manufacturing activity in China expanded month over month and...
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Monday, April 1, 2019
What we’re reading this week. Here’s a list of articles we came across from numerous news publications this week, maybe one or two may have some interest to you. The Motley Fool identifies 3 reasons not to rely too heavily...
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Monday, April 1, 2019
Earnings for All Seasons What is it and why is it important? Provided by Peter Livingston While nature offers four seasons, Wall Street offers only one – four times a year. It’s called “earnings season,” and it...
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Monday, April 1, 2019
Behind on Your Retirement Savings? What steps could you take to try and catch up? Provided by Peter Livingston If life has not allowed you to build substantial retirement savings, what possible steps could you take in an effort to...
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Sunday, March 31, 2019
Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Rebound Despite Continued Downward Pressure on Rates US: S&P 500 Index +1.2%, Dow +1.7%, Nasdaq +1.1%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +0.8%, German DAX +1.4% France...
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Friday, March 29, 2019
What Does A Big First Quarter Mean? Posted by lplresearch With a day to go, this is one of the best first quarters for the S&P 500 Index ever. Of course, it comes on the heels of the worst fourth quarter since the financial crisis and...
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Friday, March 29, 2019
Market Update: Fri, Mar 29, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Big Q1. The S&P 500 Index is on pace for one of its best first-quarter returns ever, and history suggests more gains could follow. Going...
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Thursday, March 28, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Mar 28, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Global valuation check-in. Developed international equities have gotten relatively cheaper following recent underperformance compared...
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Thursday, March 28, 2019
11 Things You Need To Know About The Yield Curve Posted by lplresearch Well, it finally happened—the yield curve inverted. Now note that it was the shorter end of the curve that inverted, as the 3-month Treasury bill (and 1-year...
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Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Good News Indicators Posted by lplresearch The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) is one of our favorite economic indicators. It is designed to predict future movements in the economy based on a composite of 10...
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Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Mar 27, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade deficit shrinks as U.S.-China talks set to resume. Monthly U.S. figures showed the trade deficit narrowed in January to $51.1B, while...
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Tuesday, March 26, 2019
March Madness for Yields Posted by lplresearch Bonds are sending a potentially ominous signal about the U.S. economy. The 10-year Treasury yield fell below the 3-month Treasury yield on March 22 for the first time since August 2007....
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Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Market Update: Tue, Mar 26, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Fed presidents comment on yield curve inversion, balance sheet plans. Chicago Federal Reserve (Fed) president Evans acknowledged...
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Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Here we provide you with a curated list of public resources which are educational in nature and meant to help you find the information you are looking for regarding Social Security Benefits. General information on Social Security...
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Monday, March 25, 2019
Bringing Domestic Equities Recommendation Back to Market Weight Posted by lplresearch Stocks have had quite a run since the December 24 lows, with the S&P 500 Index up 19% to within 5% of last year’s record highs. Given this...
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Monday, March 25, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Mar 25, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights We are bringing our recommended domestic equity allocation back to market weight. Stocks have had quite a run this year, with the S&P 500...
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Monday, March 25, 2019
Are You Committing These Financial Illegalities? Some people make money moves that may get them in trouble. Provided by Peter Livingston Americans do many things with their money and invested assets, most of them on the up and up....
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Monday, March 25, 2019
Yes, Young Growing Families Can Save & Invest It may seem like a tall order, but it can be accomplished. Provided by Peter Livingston Put yourself steps ahead of your peers. If you have a young, growing family, no doubt your to-do list...
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Monday, March 25, 2019
Are You Retiring Within the Next 5 Years? What should you focus on as the transition approaches? Provided by Peter Livingston You can prepare for your retirement transition years before it occurs. In doing so, you can do your best to...
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Monday, March 25, 2019
What we’re reading this week. Here’s a list of articles we came across from numerous news publications this week, maybe one or two may have some interest to you. The Motley Fool identifies 3 major money risks that tend to...
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Monday, March 25, 2019
Working a Little After You Retire What should you remember as you look for a job?Finding work at age 60 or 65 is decidedly harder than finding work at 30 or 35. It can be done, but there are key things tokeep in mind. You should be...
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Friday, March 22, 2019
Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Drop, Yield Curve Inverts on Renewed Global Growth Concerns. US: S&P 500 Index -0.8%%, Dow -1.3%, Nasdaq -0.6%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 -1.3%, German DAX -2.8%...
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Friday, March 22, 2019
Market Update: Fri, Mar 22, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Markets rally Thursday, look to end week on high note. One day after the Federal Reserve (Fed) doubled down on its “patient”...
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Thursday, March 21, 2019
Market Update: Thurs, Mar 21, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights The Fed on Reserve. The Federal Reserve (Fed) doubled down on its patient stance in yesterday’s rate announcement, as policymakers...
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Thursday, March 21, 2019
The Fed on Reserve Posted by lplresearch The Federal Reserve (Fed) has doubled down on its patient stance. Policymakers signaled a complete pause in policy at the conclusion of the Fed’s March meeting, with a nod to a slowing...
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Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time For New Highs? Posted by lplresearch After dropping nearly 20% late last year, the S&P 500 Index has officially bounced up more than 20% from the December 24 lows. As we noted at the time, most bear markets that take place in a...
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Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Market Update: Wed, Mar 20, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Awaiting the Fed. The Federal Reserve (Fed) concludes its two-day policy meeting this afternoon. Though no rate hike is expected, investors...
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Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Retirement: a state of mind Don't underestimate the psychological issues involved in deciding when to retire. Many people welcome the opportunity to reinvent themselves. Others postpone retirement or return to some form of work so...
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Tuesday, March 19, 2019
The Fed’s High Hurdle Posted by lplresearch Today, the Federal Reserve (Fed) kicks off its second two-day meeting of 2019, and financial markets have high expectations for the outcome. The Fed will likely hold steady on the...
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Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Market Update: Tue, Mar 19, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights The Fed’s high hurdle. Today, the Federal Reserve (Fed) kicks off its second two-day meeting of 2019, and market participants are...
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Monday, March 18, 2019
Time For a Small Break? Posted by lplresearch Small cap stocks staged a furious rally to kick off 2019, with the Russell 2000 Index up nearly 18% year to date at the early March peak. Of course, you may remember that small caps were...
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Monday, March 18, 2019
Market Update: Mon, Mar 18, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Large caps may be better positioned than small caps given where we are in the business cycle. Small cap stocks have performed well so far...
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Monday, March 18, 2019
We all know, more or less, who millennial's are: We’re obsessed with sushi and our dogs, we’ve grown up socializing on the Internet, we also prefer to order food off an app rather calling in a To-Go order. The actual years...
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Monday, March 18, 2019
Gradual Retirement Not everyone retires the same way – or at the same pace. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you in a hurry to retire? Not everyone is rushing to that particular finish line. According to the 2018 retirement...
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Monday, March 18, 2019
Long-Term Investing Truths Key lessons for retirement savers. Provided by Peter Livingston You learn lessons as you invest in pursuit of long-run goals. Some of these lessons are conveyed and reinforced when you begin saving for...
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Friday, March 15, 2019
Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Resume Upward Momentum, Dow Lags on Boeing’s Woes. US: S&P 500 Index +2.9%, Dow +1.6%, Nasdaq +3.8%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +2.8%, German DAX +2.0%...
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Friday, March 15, 2019
Market Update: Friday, Mar 15, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights S&P 500 gives resistance another try. With the S&P 500 Index’s move higher this morning, it appears to finally be taking out the...
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Thursday, March 14, 2019
Will Brexit Go on Forever, Like Pi? Posted by lplresearch The Brexit saga seems like it has no end—sort of like the digits of pi as we celebrate National Pi Day today. On Tuesday, March 12, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May...
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Thursday, March 14, 2019
Market Update: Thursday, Mar 14, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China trade deal coming together. The latest news out of Washington, D.C., continues to point to an agreement fairly soon, one of the...
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Wednesday, March 13, 2019
What Type of Pullback Could We See? Posted by lplresearch The S&P 500 Index corrected nearly 20% from the September peak until December 24 before staging a furious rally of 19%. What could happen next? A well-deserved pullback would...
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