Category: The Market

College Costs Are Rising 5X Faster Than Inflation

Thad Schlaud

In today’s rapidly changing economic landscape, proper financial planning has become more critical than ever. When it comes to saving for children’s college expenses, accounting for inflation is a fundamental aspect that cannot be overlooked. Inflation, the gradual increase in the cost of goods and services over time, has the…

Categories: Education, The Market

A Global Recession in 2023: Are We There Yet?

Thad Schlaud

Pay heed to rising bankruptcies but examine other economic indicators too. As we approach summer, there has been a fair share of speculation and concerns about an impending global recession (sometimes even from me!). And concerns over a potential global recession have intensified as bankruptcies surge and many economic indicators…

Categories: News, The Market

First Quarter 2023 Review and Outlook

David Martin

As you’ve likely seen, there was plenty of drama driving the markets in the first quarter 2023, culminating in bank worries that sent volatility higher and stock prices lower. The headlines over the first three months of the year were beyond scary. They started with consensus among economists that recession…

Categories: The Market

March Madness and the DJIA – Winners & Losers

Thad Schlaud

Can we see patterns from one year to the next or is it a maddening bracket? Newspapers, radio, and TV news programs refer to the Dow Jones Industrial Average every day, calling it the Dow, sometimes the Dow Jones or even the DJIA. And economists and financial advisors pay close…

Categories: The Market

Your Retirement Planning: “Too Big to Fail”

Thad Schlaud

Many of us remember the phrase “too big to fail” from the 2008 financial crisis and cringe now that its use has been resurrected during the coronavirus pandemic. Others remember that the term was also used in 1984 by U.S. Congressman Stewart McKinney when he talked about the FDIC’s intervention…

Categories: Industry Ideas, The Market

Most Investors Perceive Losses as More Impactful

Thad Schlaud

When managing personal finances and investments, people frequently exhibit irrational behavior for different reasons. If you’re one of these folks, be fair to yourself: It doesn’t even take a spate of market zigzags like we saw recently to prod you into questionable decisions. Everyone makes choices about money nearly every…

Categories: The Market

Third Quarter 2022 Review and Outlook

David Martin

The third quarter of this year started out so promising. After the worst first half since 1970, the S&P 500 rallied 17.4% from its June 16 low to its August 16 high. But stronger-than-expected inflation reports, and a hawkish Fed proved to be too much for the market, and the…

Categories: News, The Market