We all want income – but cash is what we really need?
Some of us still yearn for a simpler time, when we could expect to retire and live comfortably on interest and dividend income from our investments. Protecting the principal of our nest egg would allow us to live many happy years without fear of running out of money. Of course we may still want to […]
Market commentary: Q2 2021
Stock Markets: Stocks provided positive results over the most recent twelve-month period. While all markets have done well, especially stocks in domestic markets, the markets that lead and lag vary across the various periods. While not shown in this chart, a globally diversified stock portfolio earned over 12% over the three-year period ending June 30th, […]
The fed giveth, and the fed taketh away
Around the globe, COVID-19 killed millions of people, caused nearly 100 million to lose their job, and decreased economic output by several trillion dollars. When times get this bad, we investors are prepared to see losses in our portfolios. But in 2020 we saw the opposite. The S&P 500 was up 18%, almost double its […]
Is inflation haunting your financial dreams? Part 2: what we can do about it
In our last piece, we covered the recent uptick in inflation, and what to make of it in historical context. For investors, it’s important to take a step back and look at the big picture before acting on breaking news. But what if inflation does get out of hand, and stays that way for a […]
Is inflation haunting your financial dreams? Part 1: what we know
Has the specter of inflation got you spooked? Recent headlines are filled with sightings. In this two-part series, let’s take a closer look at what to make of all the commentary, and what you can do about it as an investor. First and foremost, we caution against succumbing to fear or panic in the face […]
Protecting what’s yours (after you pass) Part 2: step-by-step estate planning
In our last piece, we emphasized the importance of estate planning as the greatest gift you can bequeath to your loved ones, to reduce their painful stress load during an already stressful time. If you’ve been putting off your estate planning, taking the initial steps can be daunting—but liberating. So, let’s get started today, one […]
The january effect was strong this year
In Syracuse, we see lake effect snow every January. But there’s another sizable “effect” in January if you know where to look. This one’s in the stock market. The “January Effect” is the outperformance of small-cap stocks versus large-cap stocks in the first month of the year. Going back to 1926, small companies have rallied […]
Great results, but greater expectations
Last week we saw some of the largest tech companies in the world report their earnings from the first quarter of 2021 and the numbers were impressive. Headlines on CNBC read: “Apple reports blowout quarter, booking more than $100 billion in revenue for the first time” “Tesla posts record net income of $438 million, revenue […]
Protecting what’s yours (after you pass) Part 1: the importance of estate planning
Fact: When you pass, you will leave behind an estate, and somebody will need to settle it. Your estate may be worth a little or a lot, but there’s no escaping death and taxes. So why do so many families put off their essential estate planning until push comes to shove? Estate Planning Is an […]
Solo 401k- 3 reasons why every business owner should consider one!
For self-employed business owners, you’re responsible for saving for your own retirement. It’s likely that you got a late start at saving and maybe even had to leverage yourself to get your business up and running. SEP IRA? SIMPLE? 401k? Solo 401k…I get it, you are busy running your business and the last thing […]