Resources

09/25/2026

7 Key Strategies to Consider Prior to Year-End

As we enter the final months of 2026, investment performance is not the only number worth analyzing. The decisions you make between now and December 31 could also affect how much of your investment returns you are able to keep after taxes. While taxes generally shouldn't be the primary driver of investment decisions, a thoughtful year-end review can uncover opportunities to manage capital gains, make the most of retirement accounts, and ...

09/18/2026

Treasury Buybacks

Our focus this week is designed to help investors better understand a Treasury buyback. The U.S. Treasury recently announced that it is increasing the size of its Treasury buyback program for longer-term bonds, particularly securities with 10 to 30 years remaining until maturity. As a result of this decision, we examine some of the key parameters when discussing Treasury buybacks. Treasury Buyback in Simple Terms A Treasury buyback ...

09/11/2026

3 Key Signals for Investors to Watch

Our focus this week takes a closer look at key economic reporting over the past week, especially as markets navigate volatility and look to next week's Fed rate decision on Wednesday. We begin with a stronger-than-anticipated jobs report from last Friday. Key Takeaways from August's Employment Report The U.S. economy added jobs at a brisk pace in August, reversing a summer slowdown in hiring, while the unemployment rate held steady ...

09/03/2026

Rising Government Bond Yields

Our focus this week tackles a key question—why are rising government bond yields getting so much attention? You may have noticed that, recently, government bond yields have been moving higher around the world, particularly on longer-term bonds. While higher yields can provide investors with more attractive income opportunities, a rapid rise in yields can also send an important message about inflation, government debt, and borrowing ...

08/27/2026

Strong Corporate Earnings Help Lift U.S. Markets

Tech stocks advanced recently as encouraging corporate earnings (led by another strong report from artificial intelligence leader Nvidia) helped renew investor enthusiasm surrounding technology and AI-related investments. Nvidia reported second-quarter revenue and earnings that exceeded Wall Street's expectations. Investors appeared particularly encouraged by the company’s outlook. Nvidia projected third-quarter revenue of approximately ...

08/21/2026

Concerned You May Have Claimed Social Security Too Soon?

Choosing when to begin Social Security can be one of the more important decisions in retirement planning. Benefits can generally begin as early as age 62, but claiming early results in a lower monthly benefit, while delaying can provide a larger benefit later. But retirement doesn't always unfold exactly as planned. Perhaps your investments perform better than anticipated, you receive an unexpected inheritance or other windfall, you ...

08/14/2026

Capital Gains - Noteworthy Insights for Investors

When an investment increases in value, the growth is certainly something to celebrate. But eventually selling an appreciated investment can also create an important tax consideration—capital gains. Our focus this week explores key considerations related to capital gains. What Do We Mean By The Term "Capital Gain"? A capital gain generally occurs when you sell a capital asset for more than your adjusted cost basis. Capital assets can ...

08/07/2026

July's Summary Data and Notable Observations

Our focus this week summarizes July's market performance while providing key observations for investors. July was a month in which the headline indexes went almost nowhere while a great deal happened underneath. The S&P 500 finished essentially flat, slipping 0.06%, and the Dow eked out a 0.38% gain, but the Nasdaq Composite shed 3.19% as investors soured on AI capital spending mid-month before a late rally on strong mega-cap earnings ...

07/31/2026

Common Financial Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Building long-term financial security involves discipline and informed decision-making. While executing sound strategies is important, it's also crucial to avoid common mistakes that can quietly derail your progress. In many cases, the biggest setbacks are not caused by a single poor decision, but rather by delaying action or not fully understanding common money traps. The good news is that these pitfalls are often preventable. By ...

07/17/2026

Mid-Year Financial Tune-Up

As we move past the halfway point of the year, our focus this week encourages investors to pause, reflect, and make any adjustments before year-end. A mid-year review gives you the chance to celebrate what's going well, identify areas that may need attention, and make small changes that can have a meaningful impact over time. Let's get started! Review Where Your Money is Going Reviewing spending is both important and necessary ...