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Weekly Market Insights: FOMC Says Inflation is Still Too High

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Monday, February 27, 2023

Concerns over a firmer monetary policy were heightened by fresh economic data, touching off a climb in bond yields and a slide in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results As Interest Rate Concerns Grow

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Feelings and Mixed Earnings

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Monday, February 13, 2023

Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

Weekly Market Insights: Powell: Inflation Heading in the Right Direction

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Monday, February 6, 2023

Stocks were mixed last week following better-than-expected corporate reports and increasing optimism over a slowdown in interest rates.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged lower, slipping -0.15%. The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose...

What does it mean to self-insure? Should I?

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

For this month’s blog post, I thought I would discuss one of the questions that I have been hearing from clients and prospective clients recently.  The question that I have been hearing is “Can’t I just...

Weekly Market Insights: Earnings and Data Tell Two Different Stories on Near Future.

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Monday, January 30, 2023

Stocks added to their early 2023 gains amid a busy stream of mixed corporate earnings results and conflicting economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.47%. The Nasdaq...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results Following Weak Economic Data

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Monday, January 23, 2023

Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...

Weekly Market Insights: Inflation Cools, Stocks Warm Up

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Stocks rallied last week thanks to fresh confirmation of inflation’s cooling trend and growing optimism that an inflation slowdown may provide the Fed with space to ease up on future rate hikes.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

A strong Friday rally triggered by fresh signs of moderating inflation pushed stocks into positive territory to begin the new year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.45%....

In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.14%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.30%. The MSCI...

Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.08%. The...

Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Stocks ended higher last week as investors navigated the crosscurrents of a potential easing in future rate hikes and continued strength in the labor market.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.24% higher, while the Standard &...

Financial Confidence: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Friday, December 2, 2022

Gift-giving is an important and cherished part of the holiday season for people around the world. However, even the jolliest can sometimes find themselves wishing that holiday consumerism was replaced by something a little less —...

Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...

The stock market edged lower last week as it digested a crosscurrent of conflicting economic data and contrasting comments from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.01%), while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Hawkish comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, following the announcement of another 75 basis points interest rate hike last week, cast a pall over financial markets, sending yields higher and stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Have a Hopeful Halloween

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Lately, "inflation" seems to be the media's favorite word. Everywhere you turn, there's another story about the impact of inflation. For example, many news outlets have reported that confectionary prices have surged over 30% from last...

Don't let market volatility divert you from your long-term financial strategy

William McClanahan McClanahan CFP®, ChFC®

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

I am reaching out given the recent volatility in the markets. I understand that this can be a potentially scary time for some, but we build financial strategies with a long-term lens, which acknowledges there may be volatility along...

Is your disability coverage from work enough?

Bill McClanahan

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Having group disability coverage as a part of your benefits package at work is a great start, and something you’re lucky to have. These days, only about 50% of employees are offered long term disability insurance1.Another thing...

3 Tips for the Second Half of 2022

Bill McClanahan

Monday, August 1, 2022

With half the year behind us, now is a great time to consider what the remainder of 2022 may hold. However, with inflation and economic uncertainty causing many of us to delay or cancel vacations, large purchases, and more, it can be...

Tax Rules When Selling Your Home

Bill McClanahan

Friday, July 15, 2022

Tax Rules When Selling Your HomeHow the gains from the sale of a primary residence are taxed has changed in recent years. If you have recently sold your home or are considering doing so, you may want to be aware of these new rules.Home...

Searching for the Goldilocks Economy

Bill McClanahan

Monday, June 27, 2022

At the risk of slowing economic growth, the Fed has driven short-term rates higher to rein in inflation. But it’s a tricky proposition.Raise rates too much, and you may trigger a recession. Don’t raise rates enough, and you...

Fed Boosts Key Interest Rate 0.75%

Bill McClanahan

Monday, June 20, 2022

What an “interesting” week. In a move unseen since 1994, the Federal Reserve has taken an aggressive stance toward inflation by raising the key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point.Investors initially...

Summertime Checkup

Bill McClanahan

Monday, June 13, 2022

Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year. Goals still the same for 2022? Has market volatil

How to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury

Bill McClanahan

Monday, June 6, 2022

With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection...

When Will the Stock Market Hit Bottom?

Bill McClanahan

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

The number one question I’m hearing this week is, “When are we going to see the stock market reach a low point?” In spite of recent volatility, my answer remains the same: rather than timing the markets, focus on time...

Don't go it alone.

Bill McClanahan

Monday, May 23, 2022

When markets cycle lower like they have been lately, perspective is critical. If you’re not connected to someone with experience, it can be easy to miss the big picture. If you zoom out a bit in history, most investors haven't...

Fed Keeps Pushing Rates Higher

Bill McClanahan

Monday, May 16, 2022

Few investors should have been surprised when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates after its May meeting. Throughout April, Fed Chair Jerome Powell and several Fed Governors talked about the need to keep raising short-term rates...

Inflation's Overreach

Bill McClanahan

Friday, April 15, 2022

A reflection on interest rates and monetary policy

Inverted Yield Curve + Inflation = Stay the Course

Bill McClanahan

Friday, April 8, 2022

Last week, the yield curve inverted for the first time since August 2019 (as a refresher, a yield curve inversion means that long-term interest rates have dropped below short-term rates). Why do we pay attention to this? Because this...

RMDs Get a Small Reprieve

Bill McClanahan

Monday, January 31, 2022

New tables were released to update RMDs.

Don’t Let Headlines Get You Down

Bill McClanahan

Monday, January 24, 2022

A reminder to stay positive during times of negative headlines.

Know your 401(k) options between jobs

Bill McClanahan

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

An explanation of qualified plan options due to leaving an employer or job loss.

What is subscription-based financial planning?

Bill McClanahan

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Before I get into what subscription-based financial planning is, I think it is important to understand how traditional financial advisors are paid. Traditionally, financial advisors are paid in two ways. First, they are paid on what is...