The Brexit Shakes Global Markets
Voters in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland were posed a simple question: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” Seventy-two percent of the U.K. electorate went to the polls to answer the question, and in the final tally, Leave beat Remain 51.9% to 48.1%. A wave of anxiety has resulted...
Monthly Economic Update for March 2016
On February 29, the Dow closed at 16,516.50, the S&P 500 at 1,932.23, the Nasdaq at 4,557.95, and the Russell 2000 at 1,033.90. Across February, the Dow was the lone gainer, up 0.30%; the Russell lost 0.14%, the S&P 0.41%, and the Nasdaq 1.21%. February brought another advance for the CBOE VIX, which gained 1.73% to a month-end close of 20.55. The standout February performance came from the PHLX Gold/Silver index, which jumped 39.07% as precious metals prices climbed.
Monthly Economic Update for February, 2016
Just two U.S. equity indices had a positive January. The Dow Jones Utility Average rose an impressive 5.80%, and the PHLX Gold/Silver index advanced 1.47%. A different kind of benchmark did much better than that: the CBOE VIX. The “fear index” gained 10.93% in January to end the month at 20.20. Paralleling the Dow’s five-and-a-half percent fall, the two other major U.S. stock indices posted big monthly retreats, as evidenced by the Y-T-D column below. The Russell 2000 lost 8.85% in January, falling to a settlement of 1,035.38 as trading ended for the month on January 29. The Dow closed at 16,466.30 that day, the S&P at 1,940.24, and the Nasdaq at 4,613.95.
Monthly Economic Update for January 2016
A quick summary of economies & markets for you as we begin a new year...
Why DIY Investing is Such a Risk
Paying attention to the wrong things becomes all too easy.
The Fed Makes Its Move
As a December rate increase was widely expected, the real curiosity concerned the following press conference. Would Janet Yellen offer any hints about monetary policy in 2016? She offered one...
Monthly Economic Update for December, 2015
While the Russell 2000 and Nasdaq Composite advanced significantly in November, the S&P 500 did not – the broad U.S. benchmark rose a mere 0.05%. Terrorists took hundreds of lives in France, Lebanon, Nigeria, Mali and Tunisia during the month, and the fear in the wake of those attacks was felt in the investment markets. Federal Reserve policy minutes contained strong hints that the central bank could raise interest rates in December, a signal investors accepted without disillusionment. Oil, gold and many other major commodities retreated. Key consumer confidence, consumer spending and manufacturing indicators disappointed, but reports on the job market and real estate market offered better news.
End of the Year Money Moves
Here are some things you might want to do before saying goodbye to 2015.
Your Year-End Financial Checklist
Seven aspects of your financial life to review as the year draws to a close.
Fall Financial Reminders
Here are some important things to note as the year comes to a close.
Monthly Economic Update for November, 2015
A summary of the markets and economies for you.
The End of File & Suspend for Married Couples
A great claiming strategy to try & optimize Social Security benefits disappears.
Monthly Economic Update for October, 2015
A summary of the markets & economies for the month of September 2015
Monthly Economic Update for August, 2015
A summary of the markets & economies for the month of August 2015
The U.S. Savings Bond Tax Trap
Did you buy U.S. Savings Bonds decades ago? Or did your parents or grandparents purchase some for you? If so, take a look at them before April 15 rolls around. Your bonds may have matured. That means they are no longer earning interest, and it also means you need to cash them in.
China's Chaotic Market
As the world watches, the nation’s government tries to end the downturn.
Can the Market Ride Through the Greek Debt Crisis?
When Greek government officials told Reuters Monday that the nation could not make its €1.5 billion loan repayment to the International Monetary Fund on June 30, the Dow plunged 350.33, the S&P 500 43.85 and the Nasdaq 122.04 while the CBOE VIX rose 36%. The Dow closed under its 200-day moving average. The big three stabilized Tuesday while investors braced for more turbulence