Articles
Welcome to our research center! We've put together a library of information on important financial topics that we believe you'll find helpful.
Simply click on one of the general financial topics below and you'll find a selection of easy-to-understand information sheets about related financial concepts and strategies. This information is updated regularly to reflect the latest facts, figures, legislation, and economic trends.
Market Commentary
- Outlook 2025 | Pragmatic Optimism
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 9, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 15 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 18, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 11, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 4, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 28, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 21, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 14, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 07, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 23, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 16, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 9, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 3, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 26, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 19, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 12, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 5, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 5, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 29, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 22, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 15, 2024
- Midyear Outlook 2024 | Still Waiting for the Turn
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 1, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 24, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 17, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 10, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 3, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 28, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 20, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 13, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 6, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 29, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 22, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 15, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 8, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 1, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 18, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 11, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 4, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 26, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 20, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 12, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 5, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 29, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 22, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 16, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 8, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 2, 2024
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 18, 2023
- Outlook 2024 | Client Letter
- Outlook 2024 | A Turning Point
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 11, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 4, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 20, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 13, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 6, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 30, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 23, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 16, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | Oct 9, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 2, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 25, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 18, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 11, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 5, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 28. 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 21, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 21, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 14, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 31, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 24, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 17, 2023
- Midyear Outlook 2023 | Executive Summary
- Midyear Outlook 2023 | Client Letter
- Midyear Outlook 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 3, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 26, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 20, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 12, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 5, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 30, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 22, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 15, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 8, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 1, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 24, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 17, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 10, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 3, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 27, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 20, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 13, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 6, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 27, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 21, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 13, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 6, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 30, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | Jan. 23, 23
- Weekly Market Commentary | Jan-17-23
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 9, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 3, 2023
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 19, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 12, 2022
- Outlook 2023 | Client Letter
- Outlook 2023 | Finding Balance
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 5, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 14, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 7, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | Oct 31, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 24, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 17, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 10, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 03, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 26, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 19, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 12, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 06, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 29, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 22, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 15, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 8, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 1, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 25, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 18, 2022
- Midyear Outlook 2022 | Client Letter
- Midyear Outlook 2022 | Navigating Turbulence
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 5, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 27, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 21, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 13, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 6, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 16, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 9, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 2, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 25, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 18, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 11, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 4, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 21, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 14, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 7, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 28, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 22, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 14, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 7, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 31, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 24, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 18, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 10, 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 27, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 20, 2021
- Outlook 2022 | Executive Summary
- Outlook 2022 | Client Letter
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 13, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 6, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 22, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | A Peek at Peak Inflation | Nov. 15, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | A Peek at Peak Inflation | Nov. 15, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 15, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 8, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 1, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | Oct. 25, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | Oct. 11, 2021 | Answering Top Debt Ceiling Questions
- Weekly Market Commentary | Oct. 4, 2021 | Early Thoughts on 2022
- Weekly Market Commentary | Oct. 18, 2021 | Q3 Earnings Preview: Less Upside
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 13, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | Sept. 27, 2021 | To Z Or Not To Z
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 30, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary - September 20, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 23, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 16, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 9, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 26, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed
- Midyear Outlook 2021 - Client Letter
- Midyear Outlook 2021 - Picking Up Speed
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 12, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 28, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 21, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 14, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 7, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 24, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 24, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 17, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 10, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary May 3, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 26, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 19, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 12, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 5, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 29, 2021
- Outlook 2021: Powering Forward
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 22, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 15, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 8, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 1, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 22, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 16, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 8, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 8, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 1, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 25, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 19, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 11, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary - January 4, 2021
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 21, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 14, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 7, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 30, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 23, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 16, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 9, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 2, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 26, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 19. 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary - October 12, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 5, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 28, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 21, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 14, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 8, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 31, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 24, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 17, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 10, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 8, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 27, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 20, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 6, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 29, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 22, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 15, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 8, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 1, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 18, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 27, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 13, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 4, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 20, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 6, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 30, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 23, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 16, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 9, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 2, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 24, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 18, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 3, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 27, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 13, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 6, 2020
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 30, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 23, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 16, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of December 2, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of November 25, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of November 18, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 11, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of October 28, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of October 21, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of October 14, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of October 7, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 30, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of September 23, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of September 16, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of September 9, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of September 3, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of August 26, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 19, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of August 12, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 5, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 29, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of July 22, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 22, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 15, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 8, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | July 8, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 1, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 17, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | June 17, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | June 10, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 10, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of June 3, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of June 3, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of May 20, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of May 20, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of May 27, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of May 27, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of May 13, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | May 13, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | May 6, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | May 6, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 29, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | Week of April 22, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 15, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | April 8, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | March 11, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | March 4, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 25, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Feb 19, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 19, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 11, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of February 4, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | February 4, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Jan 28, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 28, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 22, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Jan 21, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 14, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Jan 14, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Jan 7, 2019
- Weekly Market Commentary | January 7, 2019
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of December 31, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 31, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 10, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Dec 10, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | December 3, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Dec 3, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Nov 26, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 26, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Nov 12, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 12, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Nov 5, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | November 5, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 29, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Oct 29, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Oct 22, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 22, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of Oct 15, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 15, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | October 8, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 8, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | October 1, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of October 1, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of September 24, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 24, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of September 17, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 18, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of September 10, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 10, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of September 3, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | September 4, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of August 27, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 27, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of August 20, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 20, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 13, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of August 13, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | August 6, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of August 6, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of July 30, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 30, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of July 23, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | July 16, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of July 16, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of June 25, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 25, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Weekof June 18, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 18, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of June 11, 2018
- Weekly Market Commentary | June 11, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of June 4, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of May 29, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of May 21, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of May14, 2018
- Weekly Economic Commentary | Week of May 7, 2018
- Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton
Estates & Trusts
-
What Key Estate Planning Tools Should I Know About?
Wills and trusts allow you to spell out how you would like your property distributed, but they also go beyond that.
-
How Can a Living Trust Help Me Control My Estate?
A living trust can help control the distribution of your estate upon death.
-
How Can My Gift Benefit Me and the Charity?
To retain the tax advantages associated with charitable giving, your gift must be made to a qualified organization.
-
How Will I Pay Estate Taxes?
If you believe your estate will be subject to estate taxes, consider how your heirs will pay the bill.
-
How Can I Benefit from a Charitable Lead Trust?
Charitable lead trusts are designed for people who would like to benefit a charity now rather than later.
-
What Is the Best Form of Property Ownership for Me?
Sole ownership, joint tenancy, tenancy in common, and community property have special benefits for property owners.
-
What Is the History of the Federal Estate Tax?
Careful estate planning is still one of the most important ways to manage and protect your assets for your heirs.
Retirement
-
What Is a SIMPLE?
The SIMPLE plan may appeal to small business owners as it is easy to set up, administer, and allows for a tax deduction.
-
What Is a Roth 401(k)?
A Roth 401(k) is funded with after-tax money, and allows for tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings if requirements are met.
-
What Is a Profit-Sharing Plan?
Profit-sharing plans give employees a share in the profits of a company and can help to fund their retirements.
-
What Is a Money Purchase Pension Plan?
A money purchase plan is a retirement plan where employer contributions are based on a fixed percentage of compensation.
-
What Is a 403(b) Plan?
A 403(b) plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings plan that can only be offered by a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.
-
Why Do People Buy Annuities?
Annuities, an insurance-based financial vehicle, can provide many benefits that retirement investors might want.
-
What Is a Split-Annuity Strategy?
A split-annuity strategy can generate immediate income while potentially stretching some retirement savings.
-
What Is a 1035 Exchange?
A Section 1035 exchange is a tax-free exchange of an existing annuity contract or life insurance policy for a new one.
-
What Is a Self-Employed Retirement Plan?
Tax-deferred retirement plans for self-employed individuals have higher contribution limits than IRAs.
-
What Is a Traditional IRA?
If you do not participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you might consider a traditional IRA.
-
What Is a 401(k) Plan?
401(k) employer-sponsored retirement plans have many benefits, including that the funds accumulate tax-deferred.
-
Save Now or Save Later?
If you start saving for retirement sooner, the more money you are likely to accumulate and possibly retire sooner.
-
What Is a Roth IRA?
Qualified Roth IRA distributions in retirement are free of federal income tax and aren’t included in gross income.
Tax Planning
-
What Is the Capital Gain Tax?
Capital gains are profits realized from the sale of assets; a tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not held.
-
What Is the Estate Tax?
Everything you own, whatever the form of ownership, is subject to federal, and possibly state, estate taxes.
-
What Is the Gift Tax?
The federal gift tax applies to gifts of property or money while the donor is living.
-
How Much Money Can I Put Into My IRA or Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan?
IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government.
-
What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?
Required minimum distribution is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a qualified retirement plan/account.
-
When Must Taxes Be Paid on IRA and Employer-Sponsored Retirement Funds?
With traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn.
-
What Happens If I Withdraw Money from My Tax-Deferred Investments Before Age 59½
Tax-deferred retirement account withdrawals before age 59½ generally triggers a 10% federal income tax penalty.
-
What Is Tax Deferral?
There can be a substantial benefit to deferring taxes as long as possible.
-
How Can I Benefit from Tax-Advantaged Investments?
Many traditional tax-advantaged investment strategies have gone away, but there are still some alternatives.
-
What Tax Deductions Are Still Available to Me?
Changes to the tax code have left a few key deductions for itemizers, like medical, dental and some business expenses.
-
What Tax-Advantaged Alternatives Are Available?
While stable, CDs can create an income tax bill. Fixed annuities and municipal bonds can offer tax advantages.
-
What Is the Most Tax-Efficient Way to Take a Distribution From a Retirement Plan
Consider a trustee-to-trustee transfer to an IRA versus a lump-sum distribution from a workplace retirement plan.
-
Is There Such a Thing as a Tax-Free Investment?
It's important to understand tax-exempt vehicles when establishing a comprehensive tax planning strategy.
-
How Can I Keep More of My Mutual Fund Profits?
Want to keep more of your mutual fund profits? You may be interested in strategies to help lower your tax liability.
Investing
-
What Are Dividends?
It is important to understand how dividends (taxable payments to shareholders) fit with your long-term goals.
-
What Is an Exchange-Traded Fund?
ETFs have unique attributes and attempt to track all types of indexes, industries, or commodities.
-
How Are Growth and Value Stocks Different?
The labels growth and value reflect different approaches that can be used when making investment decisions.
-
How Are Mutual Funds Taxed?
Mutual fund taxes can be cumbersome, but there are ways to help mitigate the amount of taxes you may owe.
-
What Is Stock?
Before investing in stocks, it is important to understand some of the basics and the risks involved in owning stocks.
-
What Is Diversification?
An important element to successful investing is to manage investment risk while maintaining the potential for growth.
-
What Types of Bonds Are Available?
Bonds are issued by many entities and share many characteristics, each type of bond has certain benefits and risks.
-
What Is a Bond?
A bond is simply evidence of a debt from a government entity or a corporation and represents a long-term IOU.
-
What Is a Stock Index?
Stock market indexes can be useful benchmarks for gauging the performance of an investment portfolio over time.
-
How Do Mutual Funds and Stocks Differ?
The difference between purchasing an individual stock versus shares in a mutual fund to potentially earn dividends.
-
What Is a Mutual Fund?
A mutual fund is a collection of stocks, bonds, and other securities with certain benefits and risks.
-
What Is a Closed-End Fund?
With closed-end funds, investors pool their money together to purchase a professionally managed portfolio of stocks and/or bonds.
-
What Is a Mutual Fund Load?
It’s important to understand mutual fund loads, or sales charges, and exactly what they entail so you can make informed investing decisions.
-
What Is an Annuity?
An annuity is a flexible financial vehicle that can help protect against the risk of living a long time because it provides an option for a lifetime income.
-
What Is the Difference Between a Fixed Annuity and a Variable Annuity?
Both fixed and variable annuities could be appropriate options for an individual interested in purchasing an annuity.
-
What Investment Risks Should I Know About?
Understanding different types of investment risk can help investors manage their money more effectively.
-
What Is Asset Allocation?
Asset allocation is a method used to help manage investment risk; it does not guarantee a profit or protect against investment loss.
-
How Can I Save for My Child’s College Education?
There are several funding methods for a child's college education including mutual funds and Section 529 plans.
-
What Stock and Bond Investing Alternatives Do I Have?
There are other ways to invest in stocks and bonds besides owning individual shares or bonds.
-
What Is Dollar-Cost Averaging?
Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a set amount of money on a regular basis, regardless of market conditions.
-
529 Lesson Plan: High Scores for 529 Plans
529 plans are tax-advantaged savings plans that generally allow people of any income level to contribute.
Cash Management
-
What Are Some Tips for Managing My Money?
A sound cash management program uses a disciplined approach: accounting, analysis, allocation, and adjustment.
-
How Long Will It Take to Double My Money?
Before making investment decisions, it is helpful to determine the real rate of return on the investment.
-
What Cash Management Tools Are Available?
Short-term cash management instruments can help you establish a sound cash management program.
-
How Do Money Market Mutual Funds Work?
Money market funds can be a highly liquid and effective cash management tool.
-
How Can I Better Manage My Short-Term Cash?
There are numerous investment alternatives available to help provide liquidity.
-
What Advantages Does a Biweekly Mortgage Offer?
Biweekly mortgage payments can have a dramatic effect on the amount of interest homeowners have to pay.
-
What Are Some Smart Ways to Refinance?
Here are some smart ways to refinance your home.
-
What About Financial Aid for College?
It's important to understand the options, such as financial aid grant programs, when having to pay for college.
-
What Savings Alternatives Are Available?
There are a number of savings alternatives that could help you earn a reasonable rate of return.
-
How Does Inflation Affect Me?
Historically, one of the best ways to fight the effects of inflation has been to utilize growth-oriented investments.
-
Is a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit Right for Me?
Shifting some debt to a home equity loan, which typically allows interest payments to be tax deductible, could have its advantages.
Risk Management
-
Why Purchase Life Insurance?
If you have a family who relies on your income, it is important to have life insurance protection.
-
Why Are Annuities Considered an Insurance Product?
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company to pay you future income in exchange for premiums you pay.
-
Do I Need a Business Owner Policy?
A business owner policy is an insurance package that assembles the basic coverages required by a business owner in one bundle.
-
What Is Life Insurance for Business Owners?
Company-owned life insurance is one way to help protect a business from financial problems caused by the death of a key employee.
-
What Is Term Life Insurance?
Term life insurance differs from permanent forms of life insurance in that it offers temporary protection.
-
What Is Whole Life Insurance?
Some of the pros and cons of whole life insurance.
-
What Is Universal Life Insurance?
Consider a universal life insurance policy if you want the flexibility to change your premium or death benefit.
-
What Is Variable Life Insurance?
Variable life insurance gives you the control to allocate your account value among a variety of investment options.
-
How Can I Insure My Future?
To help you choose insurance wisely, determine how much coverage and what kind of policy is best for your situation.
-
What Types of Health Coverage Are Available?
There are three basic types of medical insurance plans: fee-for-service, managed care, and high-deductible health plan.
-
Am I Prepared for Long-Term Care Expenses?
The odds of needing long-term care increase as you age. Prior planning can help protect you from financial ruin.
-
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those persons age 65 and over. But what does it cover?
-
What Are the Basic Types of Life Insurance?
When selecting a life insurance policy, examine all your options, as well as the positives and negatives of each type.
Weekly Market Commentary
Portfolio Compass
- Portfolio Compass | February 20, 2019
- Portfolio Compass | January 16, 2019
- Portfolio Compass | December 19, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | November 14, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | October 17, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | September 19, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | August 15, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | July 19, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | June 13, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | May 16, 2018
- Portfolio Compass | April 18, 2018
Client Letters
- Client Letter: Stocks Warm Up In January | February 7, 2019
- Client Letter: "A New Year’s Perspective" by John Lynch
- Client Letter: "Recent Market Volatility" by John Lynch
- Midterms and the Markets | Client Letter by John Lynch | November 7, 2018
- Client Letter: Key Factors to Watch in Q4 | John Lynch | October 4, 2018
- Client Letter: Plenty of Positives | John Lynch | September 6, 2018
- Client Letter: "Recapping the Latest Earnings & GDP Reports" | John Lynch