Blog

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Feelings and Mixed Earnings

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, February 13, 2023

Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

Weekly Market Insights: Powell: Inflation Heading in the Right Direction

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, February 6, 2023

Stocks were mixed last week following better-than-expected corporate reports and increasing optimism over a slowdown in interest rates.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged lower, slipping -0.15%. The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose...

Weekly Market Insights: Earnings and Data Tell Two Different Stories on Near Future.

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, January 30, 2023

Stocks added to their early 2023 gains amid a busy stream of mixed corporate earnings results and conflicting economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.47%. The Nasdaq...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results Following Weak Economic Data

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, January 23, 2023

Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...

Weekly Market Insights: Inflation Cools, Stocks Warm Up

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Stocks rallied last week thanks to fresh confirmation of inflation’s cooling trend and growing optimism that an inflation slowdown may provide the Fed with space to ease up on future rate hikes.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Weekly Market Insights: New Year's Rally in Reply to Positive Economic News

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, January 9, 2023

A strong Friday rally triggered by fresh signs of moderating inflation pushed stocks into positive territory to begin the new year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.45%....

Weekly Market Insights: Erratic Holiday Trading Leaves Stocks in Doldrums

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Thursday, January 5, 2023

In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.14%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.30%. The MSCI...

Weekly Market Insights: Recession Concerns, Fed Talk Keep Stocks Cold

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.08%. The...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Slide on Recession Concerns

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, December 12, 2022

Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Weekly Market Insights: Easing on Rate Hikes and Job Numbers Cheer Markets

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Stocks ended higher last week as investors navigated the crosscurrents of a potential easing in future rate hikes and continued strength in the labor market.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.24% higher, while the Standard &...

Weekly Market Insights: Fed Talks Turkey on Lower Rates, Boosting Markets

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, November 28, 2022

Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...

Weekly Market Insights: Cooling Inflation Brings Market Gains

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, November 14, 2022

A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Slip After Powell Comments

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, November 7, 2022

Hawkish comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, following the announcement of another 75 basis points interest rate hike last week, cast a pall over financial markets, sending yields higher and stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Weekly Market Insights: Plenty of Treats for Wall Street This Week

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, October 31, 2022

Stocks overcame poor earnings results from some of America’s largest companies to post gains last week as investors cheered positive earnings surprises, easing inflation and a rebound in economic growth.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Weekly Market Insights: Wall Street Flips the Script & Enjoys a Rally.

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

A positive start to a new earnings season and late-week hopes for a near-term easing in Fed rate hikes lifted investors’ spirits and powered stocks to gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 4.89%, while the...

Weekly Market Insights: Volatility Reigns; Inflation Remains Unchecked.

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Stocks were mixed last week amid wide intra- and inter-day price swings, as technology shares bore the brunt of the downdraft.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.15% for the week. Meanwhile, the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Weekly Market Insights: Boost Early in Week Keeps Markets Ahead

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

A powerful two-day stock rebound cemented a positive week for investors as a new trading month began.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.51%. The Nasdaq Composite index increased 0...

Weekly Market Insights: U.S. and U.K. See Financial Turbulence

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Rising recession fears and uncertainty in the bond and currency markets sent stocks to new 2022 lows last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.91%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Weekly Market Insights: Fallout From Powell Comments Continues

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Last week, Fed Chair Powell said the U.S. would not tame inflation without economic pain. This week heightened recession fears and sent stocks broadly lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4.00%, while the Standard &...

Weekly Market Insights: White Hot Inflation Report Alarms Investors

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, September 19, 2022

A hotter-than-expected inflation report sent stocks sharply lower last week as investors faced the prospect of more aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve for perhaps a longer period.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Upbeat, Despite Gloomy Inflation Talk

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Sag, Job Numbers Soar

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

The overhang of Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech the previous week carried over into last week as investors recalibrated stock valuations amid a seemingly more assertive monetary policy stance.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Weekly Market Insights: Powell comments spur sell-off on Wall Street

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Monday, August 29, 2022

A comprehensive sell-off on Friday following comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell drove stocks to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 4.22%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 4.04%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Tap Brakes, But Hold Fast Against Downbeat News

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Stocks tumbled on Friday, sending stocks to a weekly loss after an otherwise quiet August week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped -0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

America's official retirement age - when a person can start claiming Social Security benefits - is between 65 and 67. But in many cases, Social Security won't be enough to cover all expenses in retirement. Most people need income from...

Seasonal uptrend. It's beginning to look a lot like a Santa Claus rally as the S&P 500 Index pushes toward it's ninth record high in three weeks. The S&P 500 hasn't posted two consecutive declines for 27 trading days, the longest...

Financial mistakes can occur throughout your lifetime. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s, it’s important to be aware of financial pitfalls to avoid. Planning is the best way to avoid financial mistakes, and those...

Weigh your choices before deciding where - or whether - to move your retirement savings when you switch employers.

Investors may want to avoid these common errors when saving for retirement. In the sports world, a mental error can cost your team the big game. When you are investing, a mental error can put your retirement portfolio at risk....

A rough start. Stocks are searching for direction this morning after a rough start to the fourth quarter. The S&P 500 Index dropped about 3% in the past two trading sessions, the first time the benchmark has dropped 1% on consecutive...

The financial considerations of retiring “earlier” or “later” If you can retire by choice, the question of “when” comes to mind. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of retirement at three...

2019 SIMPLE IRA Deadline is 9/30!

Scott L. Webb, CFS, CPFA

Friday, September 20, 2019

Last chance to start your 2019 SIMPLE IRA! September 30th is the deadline! Defer up to $13,000 pre-tax, plus $3,000 catch-up if over 50! No TPA Very low fees 1% - 3% matching (only if employee contributes) Call your 401(k) headquarters...

Auto-pilot is regularly used to fly airplanes. But is it a good idea for your retirement investments? An increasing number of automated retirement plans are appearing on the market, promising to adjust your investments over time....

It may be time to adjust your investment mix and investing approach. Over time, your investment portfolio can change subtly. A bull market can leave you with more of your holdings in equities than you prefer, and the target asset...

You can't control how your investments perform, but you can control the order in which you withdraw them. Bev Bachel looks at sequence of returns risk-a factor that can have a big difference on your retirement funds. Learn more at the...

Inflation fears, trade talks, political and international developments...there's a lot going on in the world right now. As we've seen over the years, events like these can influence stock prices in the short-term. When you hear that...

Lessons to learn from this experiment. Retirement is ideally a happy time of your life, freeing you up to do things you’ve long postponed. However, the prospect of retirement can also cause stress if you’re not sure you...

Have you saved enough for these major retirement expenses? Many people approach retirement thinking that their cost of living will decrease once they stop working. This is only partially true, and misconceptions about future expenses...

Millennials are the most computer literate generation, and they’re used to instant access to all kinds of information. This doesn’t mean that they’re financially savvy. Unfortunately, money is seldom taught in public...

Your investment strategy and estate plan should keep pace as your views evolve. Time changes our perspective on many things, including our finances. Perhaps you used to think that money would solve all your problems, or that you...

Managing finances responsibly takes a lot of time -- and experience. Try to avoid the traps described here.

LPL Research Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets is filled with investment insights and market guidance for the year ahead. LPL Financial Research believes that even as investors face prospects...

Taking control of your financial situation can help alleviate stress and potentially free up money to put toward your retirement savings.

A new survey finds that baby boomers are some of the most motivated members of the workforce today.

A new study finds that older job hunters are less likely to be forced into “old-person jobs” these days.

Baby boomers should steer clear of these six missteps to boost their chances of a secure retirement.

Retirement success depends on spending as much as—or less than—you withdraw each month. Here’s how to nail the balance.

Thanks to new rules, reverse mortgages—long seen as loans of last resort—are proving popular with cash-strapped retirees.

Baby boomers are hitting retirement age at an excellent time for stocks, and it’s leaving many with more money than they know what to do with.

For many boomers, retired life is marked by four distinct phases.

These four retirement facts might surprise baby boomers—and can help them better prepare for their non-working years.

Retirement concerns have baby boomer women holding on to their jobs for longer than they planned.

It’s often said that boomers should wait as long as possible before claiming Social Security benefits. Here’s why.

A new study finds that Baby Boomers are less confident than ever about their financial prospects in retirement.

Planning your retirement expenses can be a challenge, especially when it comes to these five costs. Here's what boomers should expect.

Various studies have uncovered unique challenges and opportunities facing retiring Baby Boomers. Here's what they should know.

Thousands of Baby Boomers reach retirement age every day, though many aren't leaving the workforce. Yet.

Staying in your job for just a year longer can benefit your retirement savings in more ways than one.

Critical 401k Mistakes