My 2 Cents on Market Predictions

As we celebrate the holiday season, the team at Bauer Heitzmann extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. We are deeply grateful for your continued trust and partnership, and we value the opportunity to be a part of your financial journey. At the beginning of 2024, JP Morgan predicted a down year for the stock …

When the Yield Curve is Inverted

Fall is in the air and we have no shortage of interesting developments in the markets. Investors are keeping a close eye on the election, core inflation numbers, big tech earnings (specifically large expenditures around artificial intelligence R&D), and any further reduction in short term interest rates that the Fed is likely to do before the …

Permanent Price Increases

The investment market remains resilient amidst a backdrop of mixed economic signals. While corporate earnings have generally exceeded expectations, concerns about economic growth and persistent inflation persist. The tech sector continues to lead the rally, fueled by strong earnings and enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. As we enter the month of September, the most important thing …

All Eyes on the Economy

The markets finished last week clearly rattled by a combination of a weaker labor market and corporate tech earnings missing Wall Street expectations. The economy is clearly slowing and the unexpected rise in the unemployment rate was a major catalyst in the current stock market pullback. As of 8/5/2024, here is a snapshot of the …

The Rule of 72

Many of you have likely heard of the adage, “the Rule of 72.” It’s used frequently in the investing world because it provides a simple way for calculating how long it will take for an investment to double in value. You simply take the assumed annual rate of return (typically 10% for the historical S&P …

High Quality International

Since last months update, the stock market has experienced a pullback and bond prices continue to push lower with medium and long-term interest rates moving higher. As of this writing here is where those two markets stand: Stocks: S&P 500: 5% Nasdaq: 4.5% Russell 2000: -1% Bonds: Aggregate Bond Index: -4% Short Term Index: -1% …

Colorado 529 – First Step Program

The first quarter of 2024 was very positive for the stock market with new highs being posted across most major indices. This resulted in the best first quarter returns of the year since 2019. Stocks: S&P 500: 10% Nasdaq: 9.5% Russell 2000: 4% Bonds have been trading flat to down mostly with interest rate cuts …

Markets and Tax Reminders

February just notched the best returns for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq since 2015, while the Dow had its best February since 2021. Thus far in 2024 there has been more market breadth with more than 71% of the stocks included in the S&P posting positive returns. That said, the median return of these is …

The Start of 2024

The start to 2024 has been full of excitement with the main stock indices reaching new all time highs (something that hasn’t happened since 2021). As we enter the beginning of February, many folks are wondering what to do in this circumstance along with a divisive presidential election and potential rate cuts that are forecasted …

Are Bonds Dead?

Dear clients and friends, October marked the third straight monthly drop for U.S. stocks where the Nasdaq and S&P 500 entered correction territory (down more than 10% from the most recent 52-week high). We mentioned last month that these corrections happen about every 16 months on average so this was not terribly unexpected. What is …