Blog
Addressing the Debt Ceiling Deadline
Top of mind for many is the debt ceiling debate. You may appreciate this perspective from AssetMark's Chief Investment Officer, Christian Chan, regarding the debt ceiling and its approaching deadline.
Read MoreStaff Update
We were extraordinarily fortunate to have had with us for 8 ½ years Megan Obright as a friendly, welcoming, intelligent, detail oriented administrative professional in the office. We knew we wouldn’t be able to keep her forever...
Read MorePlanning is Personal
On September 30, 2021, I received a pathology report informing me I have Stage IV prostate cancer. Scans taken a few days later showed that although the cancer was still “low volume,” it had already spread rapidly from the source tumor
Read MoreA Tough Week, but the System is Working
After a tough week of headlines surrounding the banking sector, we thought this summary by AssetMark Chief Investment Officer, Christian Chan, was particularly well put.
Read MoreBanking Headlines
Given the headlines and news coverage surrounding the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) late last week (as well as two other crypto-centric banks) we want to provide some perspective on the matter.
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SECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0 Passed in Final Days of 2022
Congress spent the final days of 2022 on new reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement. You may hear the changes called SECURE Act 2.0, which is a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement...
Read MoreHappy Holidays
Once again, the year has flown by! In these final weeks of the year, our thoughts often turn to the comforts of home and family — of sharing good cheer with neighbors, friends, and loved ones.In that spirit, we would like to wish...
Read MoreOutlook 2023: What's Next for Interest Rates?
What does the bond market know that the Fed isn’t telling us? Fed officials recently have said that short-term rates will need to climb to over 5 percent to bring inflation under control. But in the table below, you can see...
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving 2022
The warmth of the holiday meal beckons. Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones and observing gratitude.So, as you gather around the table, look around and give thanks for the family and friends surrounding you. Give...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.
Read More1% Moves in S&P 500
If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money. The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...
Read MoreExciting News From Capfina
Last Fall, we wrote about Chad’s cancer diagnosis. In addition to positive news surrounding such, we're excited to share that Danae has begun studies toward a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.
Read MoreConsider I-Bonds as Part of Cash Reserve
If you don’t mind navigating the government’s website to open an account and make a purchase, and you have excess cash reserves such that you won’t need access to these funds for a minimum of twelve months, I-Bonds are worth a look.
Read MoreTax Changes: What's In, What's Out?
While it’s still too early to draw any final conclusions, Congress is getting closer to outlining what tax law changes are under consideration to pay for the proposed $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Plan.1 For now, it appears...
Read MoreWill Fed Chair Powell Get a Second Term?
Financial markets tend to function best when they have clear, strong leadership. When there’s concern about who’s the boss, markets can struggle.Jerome Powell’s first term as Fed Chair ends in February 2022. Until...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stalemate in the Capitol
Higher bond yields and a legislative stalemate in Washington, D.C., added up to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 2.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell...
Read MoreFed Rescues September
A funny thing happened in the investment markets the other day. September was living up to its reputation as a volatile month, but then the Federal Reserve came to the rescue.The Fed concluded its Federal Open Market Committee meeting...
Read MoreHappy Equinox!
The Autumnal Equinox approaching on September 22 is a day with 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness. This balance of day and night serves as a reminder of the change of seasons, and heralds the coming of fall colors and...
Read MoreThe September Effect
The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53 new highs so far in 2021.1 During August, stocks rallied as investors looked past the increased number of COVID-19...
Read MoreThe Cost Of A Gold Medal
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 world’s finest athletes go for the gold. Which leads many to wonder: what exactly...
Read MoreThe Quiet Fall in Bond Yields
With all the attention given to inflation, stock prices, and job reports, it’s been easy to overlook the remarkable move in the bond market during the past few months. The yield on the 10-year treasury closed at 1.26% on...
Read MoreA Roaring Start to Earnings Season
Corporate earnings season has begun, and the results are turning heads on Wall Street.Of the 120 companies in the S&P 500 index that reported numbers as of Friday, July 23, 89% of them beat the Street’s earnings-per-share...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Reach All-Time Highs
Stocks reached new all-time highs last week as markets staged a strong rebound from the previous week’s declines.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.44%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 2.74%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreSummer Travel is Back!
One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it appears to be back with a vengeance.Travel agents are working 14-hour days to meet the needs of...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Upbeat Feelings Boost Market
Optimism over the economic reopening and renewed enthusiasm for technology and other high-growth companies powered the stock market higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreInflation Outlook for 2021
As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news attention as of late. Consumer prices are rising amidst economic recovery. In fact, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8%...
Read MoreInflation Can Be a Scary Word
Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my income may stay the same.”The most recent reading on consumer prices put inflation back into the conversation. The...
Read MoreIRAs, RMDs, and QCDs
2020 brought with it a waiver of Required Minimum Distributions via the CARES Act in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Absent legislation to the contrary, RMDs will make their return in 2021. As a reminder, though, when the CARES...
Read MoreSalem Gets a New Look, Too
Those in the Salem area may have noticed a relatively significant change taking place at the south end of Riverfront Park. While Barry prefers to quietly serve in the background, foregoing recognition in favor of taking satisfaction in...
Read MoreNew Year, New Look
Just before the sky began to fall in 2020, we set out on a journey to reimagine the way in which we present Capital Financial Planners from a visual standpoint. We hope you enjoy the resulting new look as much as we do, and want you to...
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