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Despite positive inflation, stocks waned with Dow up 0.62%, S&P 500 down 0.31%, and Nasdaq down 1.90%. Tech struggles, Moody’s downgrade, and China's export concerns affected sentiment. Upcoming: Retail Sales, Housing Starts. Earnings: Home

Stocks fell last week with rising bond yields and a U.S. debt rating downgrade. The Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq, and MSCI EAFE all reported losses. Mixed employment data led to market fluctuations, and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%.

Exploring rising interest in AI in Q2, its potential to reshape industries, & the need for discerning adoption.

Stocks rallied as an inflation indicator cooled. 78% of S&P 500 firms exceeded forecasts. 2023 recession fears reduced amid positive economic data. Key data releases and earnings ahead.

Like some of my clients, you may have seen the latest regarding Aretha Franklin's estate.The Queen of Soul passed in 2018, and years later, her loved ones are still caught in legal trials thanks to the existence of multiple wills.As...

Q2 earnings triggered stock market volatility last week, with initial gains offset by tech disappointments. Housing showed a slowdown. Key economic data and earnings from major firms are expected this week.

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 &...

Explore reverse mortgages: a tool for homeowners 62+ to convert home equity into cash, offering financial flexibility in retirement. However, they carry risks and are not suitable for all.

Hobby income must be reported on tax returns without deducting expenses. Factors determining hobby vs. business include intent, profitability, record-keeping, and more.

Despite warnings of a 2023 recession due to Fed interest rate hikes, the economy shows signs of expansion. Q1 GDP grew 2% and job market indicators are positive. Despite an inverted yield curve typically signaling recession, the stock mark

Amid fears of more rate hikes, global stocks retreated. Unexpected surge in ADP jobs report unsettled investors. Friday's soft nonfarm payrolls calmed markets, but overall losses remained. Labor market shows potential cooling.

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...

Despite initial concerns, stocks rose as recession fears eased. Positive data on home sales, jobless claims, and GDP growth boosted investor confidence. Central bankers globally anticipate further rate hikes.

Market timing is exhausting. And sometimes, it can be expensive. When you time the markets, you have to be right twice – first when getting out and second when getting back in.In the accompanying chart, you can see individual...

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...

Student loan payments to resume in Oct. Millions impacted. Plan ahead, know your options. Need guidance? Reach out today. Let's prepare together.

Maximize your business mileage deductions. Keep updated records, use GPS apps, collect secondary evidence. Consult a Certified Tax Planner. #TaxDeductions #BusinessMileage"

Stocks climbed last week as reassuring inflation data boosted investor hopes that the rate-hike cycle was nearing an end amid fresh economic data pointing to continued economic resilience.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.25%,...

Jerome Powell skipped an interest rate hike at the Fed’s June meeting, but the market isn’t buying what the Fed Chair is selling about what’s next with short-term rates.Powell signaled that two more rate increases may...

Here’s a riddle. “I’m a two-word phrase that we heard almost every day for two years, but it has dropped from almost all economic talk in 2023?”Answer: Supply chain.As you can see from the accompanying chart,...

A late-week rally sent stocks into positive territory, with the S&P 500 index closing just shy of the 4,300 mark.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.39%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Stocks surged higher in the closing days of a holiday-shortened trading week, ignited by a political resolution on raising the debt ceiling and a strong employment report.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.02%, while the Standard...

Markets moved in sync last week with perceived movement in debt ceiling talks, weakening early in the week and then surging on news of progress. A solid quarterly report and guidance from a mega-cap technology company helped with...

Stocks rallied last week, propelled by growing optimism over reaching a deal on raising the debt ceiling and avoiding a technical debt default by the U.S.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.38% higher, while the Standard &...

Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...

Stocks were mixed last week as good inflation news was offset by mounting debt ceiling concerns and rekindled regional banking fears.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.29%. The...

Don't hold a surprise birthday party for Jerome Powell. He would hate it. And if you plan on visiting the Fed Chair, call first. He doesn't like surprises.Powell delivered on his March promise at the most recent Fed meeting by...

A Friday rebound, triggered by a big tech company’s earnings beat and a strong jobs report, shaved much of the week’s accumulated losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Financial markets can be challenging to understand. And when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more challenging to follow along.Stock prices rallied at the end of April after the Commerce...

Strong earnings from several mega-cap technology companies offset renewed regional banking jitters and weak economic data, leaving stocks higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.86%, while the Standard &...

Stocks remained resilient last week amid mixed earnings reports, hawkish Fed-speak, and lingering recession fears, closing out the five trading days with small losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.23%, while the Standard &...

The combination of an improving inflation outlook resulted in a week of uneven, albeit positive, performance, in which cyclical and financial stocks rallied while technology, real estate, and utilities lagged. The Dow Jones...

A recent survey reported that 68% of parents had made financial sacrifices to support their adult children. It's often a difficult decision that can stress relationships, impact retirement strategies, and harm overall financial...

Stocks ended a shortened week of trading mixed amid revived recession fears on Wall Street triggered by weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.10%. The Nasdaq...

Market timing must be exhausting. Always moving in and out of the markets based on economic analysis or business headlines must be so challenging.The accompanying chart shows that money held in money market mutual funds rose to $5.1...

Stocks rallied last week on receding fears of a widening banking crisis, led by resurging investor interest in technology and communication services names.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.22%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Modest gains in major market indices masked sharp volatility amid the uncertainty arising from mixed messages emanating from public officials and revived banking fears. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.18%, while the Standard...

As the financial markets sort through the banking sector's issues, speculators have adjusted their outlook for interest rates for 2023 and beyond.In the first table, you can see that on March 3, speculators were expecting the Federal...

Stocks tumbled last week as investors reconsidered their interest rate expectations after Fed Chair Powell’s Congressional testimony that rates may need to go higher. Stocks also were rattled when a west coast bank was placed...

Opening the mailbox and finding a letter from the IRS is frightening, but what happens next can be even scarier. The tax agency wields incredible power, and if they claim you owe additional taxes, they have many different options for...

YOUR 4% WITHDRAWAL STRATEGY MAY NOT BE ENOUGH Get the Tax Guidance You Need to Help Live the Retirement You Desire There’s a lot of concern among industry experts about whether the popular 4% withdrawal rule can provide enough income...

The IRS actually understands taxpayers fall behind on their taxes, and they have programs in place that can reduce the amount you owe or at least make paying the tab a little easier.

Small business owners and freelancers can get blindsided by huge tax bills. here are some tax deductions you may be eligible for to help reduce your tax burden and protect your income.

If you love the freedom of gig work but not the big tax bill, you need to think ahead. Here are four ways you can trim your tax bills.

The holidays are here. Not to be a Grinch but right around the corner is a less fondly anticipated time of year. Before you know it, you will be taking down the Christmas tree, pulling down the holiday lights and getting ready for the...

Apparently, reality TV shows are now providing tax advice!. The number one questions across the country this year are from clients attending “real estate” seminars and being told to use their IRA to buy and flip homes....

Cryptocurrency has become an incredibly popular way to invest, but the tax side of this virtual coin can be difficult to navigate. The IRS has gone back and forth over the years on it's stance on cryptocurrency, making it confusing...

Given how high the stakes are, it is surprising how little thought many people give to their taxes. All too often, individuals simply walk into a neighborhood storefront, hand over their most personal information and trust the person...

As tax filing season unfolds, many taxpayers are taking the bull by the horns and doing their own taxes. Though it may seem like good news for the individual taxpayer, it’s important to watch out for common tax filing mistakes....

Congress is currently debating President Biden’s American Families Plan of tax and benefit changes. The Plan would make sweeping changes to our individual tax system and a limited window of time is available to plan for some of...

It is one of the scariest things that can befall a taxpayer - the dreaded notice from the IRS stating you owe them more money you can’t pay. When you open the mailbox and see the return address of the tax agency staring back at...

Whether you are expecting a nice tax refund or preparing to write a big scary check, you know that April 15 is the annual tax filing deadline. What you may not know, however, is that tax day is every day at the IRS, and the tax agency...

Few things are as frightening as opening the mailbox and finding a letter from the IRS, especially when you know you owe them money. The much feared tax agency does not contact taxpayers just to say hello and receiving communication...

A health care power of attorney, your medical decision-maker, plays an important role in estate planning but only if they are alerted to act. One way to make sure your medical decision-maker is alerted is to add them as an emergency...

In order to maintain good credit and to guard against identity theft, you should check your credit reports frequently. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act 0f 2003 (FACTA), you are entitled to one free credit report...

It use to be so simple: Social Security benefits were tax-free. But then as a part of a "Let's Save Social Security" plan, Congress decided to tax up to 50% of your benefits. Later Congress decided to tax up to 85%, allowing the extra...

Moving and trying to decide whether to rent out or sell your present home? If so, consider two important factors:How your choice will affect your cash positionHow willing and able you are to manage a rental property Are you buying...

If you have a qualifying child under the age of 17, you may be entitled to claim this credit. A qualifying child may be a dependent child, stepchild, adopted child, sibling, or step-sibling (or descendant of these individuals), or an...

Did you know that the government shutdown has had an impact on your tax return? Because the shutdown prevented the IRS from doing some of its standard tax season preparation, the filing season will begin a little later and your refund...