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2024 Q1 Review and Outlook – To Cut or Not to Cut
Markets continued rising in the first quarter as stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 SPDR ETF – SPY) gained 10.4%. The U.S. bond market (as measured by the US Aggregate Bond ETF – AGG) declined 0.7%, and a 60% stock/40% bond portfolio recorded a 5.9% total return. Not too shabby considering that the 10%…
2024 Tax Facts
Here is your quick reference guide to 2024 tax rates, college savings incentives, IRA and 401(k) contributions and more. Click on a link in the table below to jump to that section. Click here to download .pdf print-friendly version. Marrieds Filing Jointly or a Qualifying Widow(er) Alternative Minimum Tax Investments Heads of Households AMT Tax…
How We Measure Inflation in the United States
By Thomas N. Jamerson Vice President – Client Administration Inflation in the United States of America can be measured in a number of ways. Day to day, a consumer might measure it with his eyes and memory – grabbing a box of cereal at the grocery store and thinking to himself that “it cost half…
2023 Q4 Review and Outlook – The Dog That Didn’t Bark
Markets finished the year with a powerful surge as stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 SPDR ETF – SPY) gained 11.6% during the fourth quarter. The U.S. bond market (as measured by the US Aggregate Bond ETF – AGG) increased 6.8%, and a 60% stock/40% bond portfolio booked a 9.7% total return. For the…
Julianne Naff Recognized in The Roanoker with 40 Under 40 Award
We’re pleased to announce that Julianne Naff, Senior Vice President, Client Administration and Regional Manager West, has been recognized among the Top 40 Under 40 from The Roanoker magazine. Selected from a record number of submissions, Julianne stood out for her outstanding professional achievements, leadership skills and a high level of community involvement. We are…
2023 Q2 Review and Outlook – A Market of (Seven) Stocks
The positive momentum continued in the second quarter as stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 SPDR ETF – SPY) gained 8.7%. The U.S. bond market (as measured by the US Aggregate Bond ETF – AGG) lost 0.9%, and a 60% stock/40% bond portfolio returned 4.8%. Year-to-date (YTD), stocks returned 16.8%, bonds 2.3% and a…
2023 Q1 Review and Outlook – Silicon Valley Bank Stirs the Economic Pot
Financial markets had a positive but choppy start to 2023 as stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 SPDR ETF – SPY) gained 7.5% in the first quarter. The U.S. bond market (as measured by the US Aggregate Bond ETF – AGG) returned 3.2%, and a 60% stock/40% bond portfolio returned 5.8%. Over the past 12…
2022 Q4 Review and Outlook – Closing out a Tumultuous Year.
Financial markets finished a rough year on a strong note as stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 SPDR ETF – SPY) gained 7.6% in the fourth quarter. The U.S. bond market (as measured by the US Aggregate Bond ETF – AGG) returned 1.6%, and a 60% stock/40% bond portfolio returned 5.2%. For the year, stocks declined…
2022 Q3 Review and Outlook – The “bad news is good news” game, and why bonds still make sense.
Financial markets continued their downward trend in the third quarter as stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 SPDR ETF – SPY) lost 4.9%. The U.S. bond market (as measured by the US Aggregate Bond ETF – AGG) fared a tiny bit better, posting a -4.7% total return, and a 60% stock/40% bond portfolio lost 4.8%. …
2022 Q2 Review and Outlook – Welcome to the Bear Market
Financial markets continued their downward trend in the second quarter as stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 SPDR ETF – SPY) lost 16.1%. The U.S. bond market (as measured by the US Aggregate Bond ETF – AGG) fared a bit better, posting a -4.6% total return, and a 60% stock/40% bond portfolio lost 11.5%. …