Each year we like to provide you with some insight for the coming year ahead. We like the consistent outlook of one of our favorite portfolio managers/analysts, Bob Doll, from Nuveen asset management. Below is how Bob's predictions are faring so far for 2019. We will bring you his 2020 predictions right after the new year. As 2019 unwinds (and before we unveil Bob’s 2020 Predictions), it’s a good time to look back at the past 12 months and provide initial thoughts about what the next year m… View More
In a quiet, pre-holiday trading week, the major indices continued to move higher on renewed optimism for stronger economic growth in 2020. The Nasdaq (2.18%) outperformed followed by Russell 2000® Index (2.07%), the S&P 500® Index (1.65%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (1.14%). The de-escalation of trade wars with the Phase One agreement between the U.S. and China provided this week’s catalyst despite the lack of details on the agreement’s terms. Presidents Trump and Xi spoke on … View More
Congress Passes Sweeping Retirement Legislation, Sends To President's Desk Congress has passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement or SECURE Act as part of its 2020 spending package — providing advisors, the financial services industry and investors with the most significant piece of retirement legislation in a decade. Currently, 40% of private-sector workers do not have access to a workplace retirement plan. “The SECURE Act will increase workers' access to retirement… View More
As the end of the year and the holiday season approach, we will all see an increase in the number of charitable solicitations arriving in our mailboxes and by email. Since some charities sell their contributor lists to other charities, frequent contributors may find themselves besieged by requests from all sorts of charities with which they are not familiar. Watch Out for Charity Scams – You need to be careful; there are scammers out there pretending to be legitimate charities looking to take… View More
The equity markets ebbed and flowed last week on reports of a Phase One trade agreement between the U.S. and China. On Friday, the White House confirmed earlier rumors of an agreement; the markets’ muted reaction reflects the lack of specifics and modest scope of the deal. More details are coming out today and looks like the markets are welcoming the news. Last week, the Nasdaq (0.91%) led the market gains followed by S&P 500® Index (0.73%), the Dow Jones Industrial Average (0.43%) and Ru… View More