Dear Clients and Friends, Since our last update, the equity markets have surged ahead, overcoming early-year challenges (tariff uncertainty, geopolitical concerns, GDP slowdown, etc…) to reach new all time highs. Simultaneously the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law bringing some certainty to the tax landscape for the foreseeable future. The bill extends many …
Tag Archives: Retirement Planning
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th of July from Colorado! We are wishing you a celebration filled with joy, fireworks, and good company. This month’s newsletter comes with the broad stock market indices back at all time highs to kick off the second half of 2025. From our perspective, the markets are navigating a delicate balance of fiscal policy …
4 Things To Do During a Market Downturn
As market volatility surges, countless voices are cautioning against certain actions during a downturn. We concur with much of this guidance, which emphasizes avoiding market timing, resisting the urge to believe “this time is different,” and not getting swept up in sensational news stories. While this is great advice that we adhere to, there are …
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 …
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 …
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 …
A Little History on Bull and Bear
Dear clients and friends, As we enter the last quarter of the year, volatility is picking up in both the stock and bond markets, primarily due to rising treasury yields and renewed concern about higher for longer rates of inflation and soaring national debt. Historically, September is a difficult month for the stock market and …