Market Commentary

Market Commentary: S&P Continues Decline, but Home Sales on the Rise

The S&P 500 declined for the fourth straight week. On Wednesday, the index of large U.S. companies had declined just more than 9.5% but rallied late in the week. The S&P 500 is 7.8% below its Sept. 2 high. The four-week decline has matched the characteristics of a price adjustment after a large run-up in markets.

Videos

Charitable Gift Planning Strategies for 2020

Jamie Hopkins, Director of Retirement Research at Carson, offers key insights and strategies for charitable giving during our on-demand webinar, “Charitable Gift Planning Strategies for 2020.” Click Here to Watch the Webinar

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Restaurants are Rebounding, but S&P Still Lags

Retail sales figures continued a string of economic data pointing toward slowing growth accompanied by a gradual reopening of state economies. Consumers seem willing to take some risks. Retail and food service sales rose 0.6% last month. (See Chart 1.) Increased sales at restaurants contributed most to the monthly gains.

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: The S&P fell for the Second Week Straight and Inflation Rises

Stocks continued to retreat as losses on Tuesday were large enough to push the market down more than 2% for the second week in a row. The S&P 500 has retraced 6.7% of its massive rally from the lows in March.

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Sharp Decline in S&P 500 Could Signal More Volatility

Investors were reminded stock investing comes with volatility as the S&P 500 dropped 3.5% on Thursday and declined 2.3% for the week. The downside pressure was felt most directly by stocks that had performed best. Figure 1 shows the best performing stocks this year (furthest to the right) lagged during the downturn (closest to the bottom).

Videos

Rewirement: Rewiring The Way You Think About Retirement

Jamie Hopkins, Director of Retirement Research at Carson, hosts “Rewirement: Rewiring The Way You Think About Retirement.” A lot has changed since your parents retired, and the world is a more expensive, complex place: Click Here to Watch the Webinar

Monthly Newsletters

How to Invest Creatively in Your Fall Vacation this Year

Sneaking away during the lull between peak times – “the shoulder season” – is popular with savvy travelers for reduced crowds, milder weather and usually great deals on travel packages.

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Higher Inflation Expected in Coming Years, S&P Sees More Gains

The Federal Reserve announced a major policy revision last week. The revised strategy indicates rates will stay low for a long period of time and will increase slower than in past rate cycles. The report and a subsequent speech by Fed Chair Jay Powell indicate the Fed will allow inflation to move above its 2% target to make up for periods when inflation has been less than 2%.

Blog

How to Make Charitable Giving Part of Your Financial Plan

COVID-19 caused an economic shockwave that we’ll feel for a long time. Nonprofits, from large global networks to the local churches, have been hit hard, too. In a recent survey of 110 nonprofits, 80% of them said revenue had fallen across the board.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary: The S&P Sets Recovery Records, Housing Market Showing Gains

The S&P 500 continued to march higher, rising 0.8% last week. Excluding dividends, the index of large-cap U.S. stocks reached a new record. Some investors prefer this measure for determining when bear markets end. By almost any measure, the S&P 500 is no longer in a bear market.

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