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Market Update – Q1 2025
Key Updates on the Economy & Markets Stocks fell in the first quarter after two consecutive years of gains exceeding +20%. The year started off strong, with the S&P 500 reaching a new all-time high in mid-February. However, sentiment shifted late in February amid rising policy uncertainty in Washington, and the S&P 500 ended the […]
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Market Update – February 2025
The Market Navigates Economic and Policy Uncertainty in February Monthly Market Summary The S&P 500 Index returned -1.3%, outperforming the Russell 2000 Index’s -5.2% return. Six of the eleven S&P 500 sectors traded higher, led by defensive sectors. Bonds traded higher, with the U.S. Bond Aggregate delivering a +2.2% total return. Corporate investment-grade bonds produced […]
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Industry Spotlight: Regional Banks
In the investment world, we’re constantly reminded that everything cycles. When the FDIC closed Silicon Valley Bank in March 2023, the regional banking industry was left for dead. It was widely assumed that unrealized losses on bank balance sheets would take years for banks to recover. While there were extensive losses, the new political climate […]
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Social Security Fairness Act
Teachers and other public servants have watched their Social Security benefits diminish due to complex provisions that few understood, but many felt deeply in their retirement years. That changed on January 5, 2025, when President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, which eliminated two controversial provisions that had reduced benefits for millions […]
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Market Update – January 2025
Stocks Rally as Market Leadership Shifts in Early 2025 Monthly Market Summary The S&P 500 Index returned +2.7%, marginally outperforming the Russell 2000 Index’s +2.5% return. Seven of the eleven S&P 500 sectors outperformed the index, as AI-related news led to a sell-off in Technology stocks. Corporate investment-grade bonds produced a +0.6% total return as […]
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2025 Market Themes
2025 Themes – 2024 marks second banner year in a row. Stock market is high, but economy shows little signs of weakness. Enthusiasm over new administration. Rolling back regulation and extending tax cuts should benefit both Wall Street and Main Street.
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Market Update – Q4 2024
Key Updates on the Economy & Markets There was no shortage of market-moving events in Q4. The stock market opened the quarter with a slow start in October, but the outcome of the presidential election triggered a broad rally in November. The rally faded as the year ended, although the S&P 500 trades only a […]
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MI Investments: Brookfield Renewable Partners, LP
Company History Brookfield Renewable Partners, LP (NYSE: BEP, BEPC) operates one of the largest publicly traded renewable power platforms in the world. Investing in Brookfield gives you a substantial portfolio of renewable energy assets, including: Renewable Power Assets: From Brookfield May 2024 Corporate Profile Almost 200,000 MW of renewable power. How much is this? For […]
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Measures of Power
If you’re thinking about investing in utilities and renewable energy projects through companies like Brookfield Renewable Partners (see Brookfield article), Southern Company, or Duke Energy, you must understand units of power to know what you’re backing. Having a firm grasp of what power is, down to the watt, will allow you to understand the value […]
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Market Update – Q3 2024
The major development in 3Q24 was the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates by -0.50%, the first rate cut of this cycle. It came as the Fed shifted its focus, with unemployment rising to a 33-month high and inflation moving back to target.
