As of June 22, the market capitalization of the U.S. stock market totaled $81 trillion, according to Deutsche Bank and Bloomberg. China is a distant second at $16 trillion, followed by Japan at $9 trillion. Even China stands in the shadow of just seven fast-growing U.S. firms—the so-called Magnificent Seven—with a combined market capitalization of […]
Celebrating 250 Years of the American Spirit Read More »
When we last visited with you, markets were struggling under the weight of higher oil prices and uncertainty tied to the war with Iran. While a ceasefire has helped alleviate some worries, as we enter May, oil prices remain elevated, gasoline prices average over $4 per gallon, and the conflict in the Middle East has
March showers bring April flowers Read More »
Retirement as a formal idea and lifestyle is a relatively modern concept. For most of human history, people worked until they were physically unable and then relied on family or community support. It wasn’t until the industrial age that the concept of retirement was born. In 1875, the American Express Company established the first
Not All Retirement Accounts Are the Same: What Everyone Should Know Read More »
Americans love to invest in stocks. A survey by Bankrate found that the stock market is the favorite investment for money not needed for a decade. Gen Z is driving much of the surge in stock investing. The stock market is the most popular long-term investment option among U.S. adults, according to a survey by the
The Stock Market is America’s Favorite Investment Read More »
After the market closed on Wednesday, April 2, the President announced new “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly every nation. How were tariffs calculated? Figure 1: The Tariff Formula In plain language, let’s use China as an example (WSJ). Divide the U.S. 2024 goods-trade deficit of $295 billion by the amount the U.S. imported from China—$439 billion. That
The S&P 500 Index set an all-time high on February 19. However, optimism quickly faded as investors grew increasingly concerned over trade policy and the economy. On March 13, the S&P 500 entered its first official correction since 2023, with the index down 10.13%. It’s the first correction since the second half of 2023. But
Stock Market Correction Read More »
It is amazing how predictably irrational we humans are. There are certain things we cannot predict, but there are others that we are spot on, near 100% of the time. One of those is that when times are bad, “experts” start downgrading and cutting estimates. It’s as reliable as a sunrise. I have said many
Ignore “Expert” Predictions Read More »
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.When you are older, “and-a-half” birthdays start making a comeback. In fact, starting at age 50, several birthdays and “half-birthdays” are critical to understand because they have implications regarding your
Important Birthdays Over 50 Read More »
Warren Buffett said, “Investing is simple, but not easy.” Sounds like a contradiction, but in real life simplicity has little to do with ease. Take losing weight. Very simple. Burn more calories than you take in. Not so easy! The Challenge The path to our long-term goals is often filled with conflicting short-term desires. As
Investing: Simple, Yet Difficult Read More »