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The Markets A change in leadership. Last week, investors were presented with a stew of economic and policy developments. These included the surprising announcement that the United States would “run” Venezuela, disappointing jobs data, signs of improved consumer optimism, and a flurry of new policy proposals. Investors weighed what it all means for financial markets, and stocks moved higher. Here’s what happened: Geopolitical tensions heightened. “The arrest and indictment of former Venezuela leader Nicolás Maduro roiled energy markets and raised the specter of military interventions in other parts of the world, including Greenland, a territory controlled by NATO ally [...]

The Markets Lots of people are willing to predict what’s ahead. If the past is prologue, few will be accurate. You don’t have to look far to find an example. In 2023, a majority of economists agreed recession was ahead. They were wrong. Tyler Cowen of Bloomberg explained: “Last year at this time, 85 [percent] of economists in one poll predicted a recession this year — and that was an optimistic take compared to the 100 [percent] probability of a recession forecast two months earlier…And yet none of this has happened…most economists expect the U.S. to avoid a recession [...]

The Markets What is the most important principle of investing? People have different opinions, but these three tend to be at or near the top of the list: Have a plan for reaching your financial goals. Hold a diversified portfolio that reflects your goals, circumstances, and risk tolerance. Keep a long-term perspective (a.k.a. avoid short-term noise, exercise long-term discipline). 2025 offered some wonderful opportunities for investors to practice that last one. “It was a scary good year for investors. It was scary because the U.S. stock market plunged to several historic drops on worries about everything from President Donald [...]

The Markets Happy holidays! Over the past year, financial markets reminded all of us that progress is rarely linear. As markets gyrated higher and lower, one truth remained constant – building wealth is the result of diversification, discipline, and thoughtful planning. An important aspect of planning is the year-end review. If you haven’t yet taken steps to make sure your portfolio is well-positioned for 2026, here are some important things to consider as 2025 comes to a close: Portfolio drift. The stock market has delivered extraordinary performance. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P) and Nasdaq Composite Indexes are on [...]

The Markets It’s beginning to look a lot like a rate cut… A lot of information about the economy arrived last week. Some was delayed by the government shutdown. Some was right on time. Investors took a look and decided their holiday wish could come true. The Federal Reserve (Fed) might deliver a cut rate cut this week. Here’s a brief recap of the information that landed just in time for the Fed to consider it. Inflation rose in line with expectations. From August to September, headline inflation increased from 2.7 percent to 2.8 percent year over year, while [...]

The Markets A change of direction… Stock markets in the United States reversed course last week, with two major indices eking out gains for the month, reported Callum Keown of Barron’s. There were some other important changes last week that also may affect markets and investors. Here’s a recap: New expectations for rate cuts. Stock markets gained as the probability that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will lower the federal funds rate in December increased from 30 percent on November 19 to above 85 percent last week. “The shift in rate sentiment started after last week’s delayed September jobs data, [...]

 The Markets Uncertainty abounds. Investors were skittish last week. Share prices jolted higher and lower amid concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) data center spending, upcoming Federal Reserve rate decisions, and the strength of consumer spending, reported Phil Serafino and Natalia Kniazhevich of Bloomberg. These issues will affect the future performance of companies, and investors are trying to anticipate what may be ahead. In the third quarter, companies were profitable and sales were strong Overall, U.S. companies performed well in the third quarter of 2025. So far, 95 percent of companies in the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index have [...]

The Markets It was another turbulent week. Investors cheered the end of the shutdown, pondered strong third-quarter earnings, and questioned the artificial intelligence (AI) spending spree. Some reduced their exposure to risky assets, while others bought the dip. Here are a few of the factors that influenced markets last week. Doubts about rates. The shutdown ended, but the White House said the official inflation and employment reports for October may never be released. That makes it tough for the Federal Reserve (Fed) to lower rates. “The central bank taps federal data releases – among others – as officials mull [...]

The Markets There were bearish undercurrents in the bullish sea. While there are many reasons to be optimistic about the long-term prospects for U.S. stocks, investor concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) spending and the possibility of a market correction roiled markets last week. “All eyes were on the parade of earnings reports from the technology behemoths this past week. But what grabbed the markets’ attention were the implications of their massive capital investments in artificial intelligence on their balance sheets and cash-flow statements,” reported Randall W. Forsyth of Barron’s. Investors wondered whether and when the enormous amounts of money [...]