By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

Banks play a vital role in the economy, providing individuals and businesses with access to cash, credit, and other financial services. Despite their importance, however, banks can fail. And when they do, the effects often cause panic in the wider economic environment. 

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

The events of the last few weeks in Ukraine have been stressful and upsetting to many of us. The buildup of Russian forces along the border, rising tensions, and the ensuing attack have caused worldwide shockwaves. People across the globe are understandably concerned and anxious. 

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

In just one year, we’ve seen shocking increases in prices as inflation degrades the value of our money right before our eyes—with no clear end in sight. Case in point: gas is up 58%, meat 13%, food 6%, and used vehicles 31%. (1) For months we were told the current inflation crisis was transitory, what seemed like a slight inconvenience. But now it’s official: after months of being told the current inflation crisis is transitory, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that we can expect high inflation to continue into 2022. (2)

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

Benjamin Graham once said, “In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run, it is a weighing machine.” This quote may seem confusing on the surface, but the point is quite simple: in the short run, the market acts like a popularity contest with investors chasing the hottest trend of the moment. The votes are tallied, and the most “popular” stock gets the highest price, regardless of its true value. In the long run, however, the popularity contest fades and the market starts to reflect the true value of the stocks.

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

Did you remember to fasten your seatbelt when we entered 2020? I hope so, because the events of this year just keep getting more unexpected and unsettling. We’ve learned not to make plans, not to get hopes up, and hold on to everything loosely. And it all started with five letters and a number: COVID-19. While the coronavirus pandemic is at its core a health issue, the downstream effects of it on other aspects of our society have been significant, perhaps the greatest being economic. As we reach the mid-year point of 2020, let’s take a look at what is going on in the economy, most of which can trace its roots back to COVID-19.

By Colleen Weber, CFP^®, CPA

We’re almost halfway through 2020, and to say the year hasn’t gone as expected would be a massive understatement. Forget “uncertain times”—more like scary or downright panic-inducing. In the midst of unprecedented volatility regarding the markets and employment, it’s normal to experience a multitude of emotions, including uncertainty and fear. 

Given the situation, it’s normal to worry. But the key is to worry about the right things.

By Colleen Weber, CFP®, CPA

Although the CARES Act’s $2 trillion allocation to the economy has been compared to President Obama’s 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the more recent measure should be thought of as a relief effort, rather than economic stimulus.  CARES is addressing the immediate fallout in the business world and in peoples’ personal finances, an attempt to cushion the impact of social distancing and the loss of work and business that it entails.

The big picture perspective is that the CARES Act allocates $150 billion to enhance hospital capacity, a $500 billion loan fund for businesses in distress and $150 billion in direct support to state and local governments to help fight the coronavirus epidemic.

Read More “The CARES Act Explained”

After we endured the 2008-9 Great Recession, where the global economy was brought to its knees (due to enrichment schemes by Wall Street and its brokers), we thought we’d seen the worst market in our lifetimes.  Some of us thought the same thing during the Tech Wreck at the start of the century.

Read More “The Plague Continues”

As global markets continue their roller coaster ride due to fears surrounding the coronavirus, our most recent bull market officially turned into a bear market. But what does that mean? And are we on the verge of another recession like the one we had in 2008?

In light of all these concerns, today we’ll share what you need to know about recessions and bear markets. If you are worried about your portfolio, we understand and we’re here to help. Feel free to contact our office to get answers to your specific questions. 

The Trade War that Isn’t—Yet

When most of us hear talk about something described as a “war,” we intuitively recognize that there could be very unpleasant outcomes on all sides. Wars have one thing in common: there is seldom a clear-cut “winner” amid the damage and destruction.

So when President Trump declares a “trade war” against the world’s second-largest economy, it’s natural that many people—including, apparently, a large number of investors—would feel spooked about what’s to come in our collective future. This explains why every escalation of words, and new lists of things that will be taxed at U.S. and Chinese borders, has provoked sharp downturns in the markets.

But what, exactly, is a “trade war?” Beyond that, what is a “trade deficit” and why are we trying to “cure” America’s trade deficit with China? Read More “The Trade War that Isn’t—Yet”