Stocks Set New Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Ease Monthly Market Summary The S&P 500 Index gained +10.5% in April, recovering its March decline and setting a new high. Communication Services led all S&P 500 sectors with a +18.5% return, followed by Technology (+17.5%) and Consumer Discretionary (+11.7%). Nine of eleven sectors traded higher as stocks […]
What Is IRMAA? IRMAA is one of those things that can catch people off guard in retirement. It’s an additional premium added to Medicare Part B and Part D when your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds certain thresholds. What makes it tricky is the timing. IRMAA is based on your income from two years […]
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Key Updates on the Economy & Markets The first quarter was eventful for markets. Stocks traded higher to start the year, with the S&P 500 posting a modest gain in January. However, the market traded lower in March due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz closure, which led […]
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that the investment world is full of predictions. Every day there’s a new forecast about where the market is headed, whether a recession is coming, or which investment will outperform next. Some of those predictions will inevitably be right, but many of them won’t be. That’s one […]
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Market Leadership Broadens as Rotation Continues Monthly Market Summary The S&P 500 Index declined -0.8% in February, but the headline masked broad underlying strength. The equal-weighted S&P 500 gained +3.5%, Large Cap Value rose +2.6%, and the Russell 2000 added +0.8%, as the rotation toward smaller and more value-oriented companies continued. In contrast, Large Cap […]
Key Updates on the Economy & Markets Markets navigated a complex environment in Q4. The quarter started with a government shutdown, which lasted 43 days and delayed key economic data releases. The lack of timely information made it difficult to assess the economy’s strength and contributed to periods of volatility as the market reacted to […]
Key Updates on the Economy & Markets Markets carried their strong momentum from Q2 into Q3, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and small-cap stocks each hitting new highs. Investor sentiment remained optimistic despite soft labor market data and mixed economic signals, and stocks traded higher due to strong corporate earnings, the Federal Reserve’s pivot toward […]
Stocks Trade Higher as Federal Reserve Signals Rate Cut Monthly Market Summary The S&P 500 Index rose +2.1% in August, bringing its year-to-date return to +10.7%. Large Cap Value stocks led with a +3.2% gain, while Large Cap Growth gained +1.2%. Health Care was the top-performing sector. Six additional S&P 500 sectors also outperformed the […]
Stocks Trade Higher on Strong Q2 Earnings & Trade Deals Monthly Market Summary The S&P 500 Index rose +2.3% in July, pushing its year-to-date return to +8.4%. Large Cap Growth stocks led with a +3.7% gain, while Large Cap Value gained +0.6%. Utilities was the top-performing sector, with the Technology, Industrials, and Energy sectors also […]