Blog

Sometimes, a picture is worth 1,000 words. So I decided to include an image of the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report to help put inflation in better perspective: Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose just...

As the Fed continues its fight against inflation, one of the more challenging parts of the economy is gauging what's happening in the jobs market.One July report showed the private sector added nearly 500,000 jobs, double the...

Here’s a riddle. “I’m a two-word phrase that we heard almost every day for two years, but it has dropped from almost all economic talk in 2023?”Answer: Supply chain.As you can see from the accompanying chart,...

Market timing is exhausting. And sometimes, it can be expensive. When you time the markets, you have to be right twice – first when getting out and second when getting back in.In the accompanying chart, you can see individual...

Now that the debt ceiling negotiations are behind us and President Biden has signed the measure, what will Wall Street's wandering eye focus on next?Inflation? Interest rates? Recession? Artificial intelligence?More than likely,...

What is a bull market, and more importantly, who determines if we are in one?Technically speaking, a bull market is defined as a 20% gain in a stock market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500, from a closing low.So are we in one?...

Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...

Don't hold a surprise birthday party for Jerome Powell. He would hate it. And if you plan on visiting the Fed Chair, call first. He doesn't like surprises.Powell delivered on his March promise at the most recent Fed meeting by...

Financial markets can be challenging to understand. And when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more challenging to follow along.Stock prices rallied at the end of April after the Commerce...

From my perspective, we can't hear the word "better" enough in the weeks ahead."Better than expected." "Better than feared." "Better than forecasted."These are winning phrases that can be used by market pundits when they compare a...

Recently, you may have seen reports that the so-called “depletion date” for Social Security was adjusted. This refers to the predicted date when the long-running program will no longer be able to pay full benefits.Barring...

If you're an investor looking for something to worry about, you never have to go more than a few days on Wall Street.As you can see from the accompanying chart, 11 economic reports are scheduled for release during 19 trading days in...

Jerome Powell is a man of his word. And the financial markets believe that's an excellent trait for the Federal Reserve Chairman.Powell told the financial markets to prepare for a 25 basis points increase in short-term rates in early...

When events like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank happen, it's natural to wonder how a bank safeguards your funds. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance was designed for this very reason:...

For the Federal Reserve, credibility is everything. And its credibility is being tested by how it plans to manage the banking system in the days leading up to its March 21-22 meeting.Last month, Fed Chair Powell confidently told Wall...

One of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes is, “Remember that the stock market is a manic depressive.”What he’s suggesting is that stock prices can sometimes swing wildly from day to day in response to even minor news....

Investors put the economy on recession watch when the Fed started its “higher in a hurry” push with short-term interest rates in mid-2022.After the 10-year/2-year Treasury curve inverted in July 2022, it was “all...

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

Announcing Our Second-Opinion Service

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Second Service Opinion Flyer

Would it surprise you that the U.K. stock market is hitting new all-time highs and several other European markets are either at new highs or approaching new all-time highs?It seems like only a few months ago, European economies...

"Is the bear market over?"That's a question I've been asked a number of times in recent weeks. And my answer is the same, "Let's give it a little time."But people are quick to remind me that stocks are off to a good start in 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...

The December inflation report had some encouraging news. It showed that consumer prices trended lower for the month, but more importantly, it confirmed that overall prices have been trending lower for the past six months.Now the ball...

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

When markets fall, it’s easy to forget that downtrends are part of the investing cycle. So when prices slip, it's a good time to review some common terms that you may be hearing that describe today’s financial markets.The...

What does the bond market know that the Fed isn’t telling us?Fed officials recently have said that short-term rates will need to climb to over 5 percent to bring inflation under control. But in the table below, you can see that...

The financial markets are complex systems. They can move from one event to the next so quickly that it's hard to know what’s driving prices.For example, look at the roundtrip oil prices in the chart below.Oil prices surged to...

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 &...

Over the years, the Fed has followed a similar pattern with interest rates. It raises interest rates, then pauses, so it can see how the economy is adjusting to the higher rates. The chart below shows the Fed’s pattern with...

You may have heard the phrase “contrarian investing,” but did you know that one of the most reliable contrary indicators is individual investors?Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year,...

How You Can Purchase I Bonds Direct from the Treasury

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for investments that keep pace with rising prices. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation...

Stubborn Inflation Tests Fed's Resolve

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Stubborn doesn’t seem like a strong enough word, but that’s how Fed officials are describing inflation.Inflation's “stubbornness” has been on full display in recent weeks: First, the Producer Price Index (PPI)...

Putting Interest Rates Into Perspective

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Traditionally, I’ve been a little cautious when people say, “it’s different this time.” After all, the past few years have seen more financial “firsts” than most.But despite that skepticism, this...

Life Doesn't Stand Still

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. If you haven’t reviewed your insurance profile in a while, you may be surprised that what made sense in the past no longer fits your life.Here are some ways to quickly evaluate your...

1% Moves in S&P 500

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money.The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...

Three Ways the Inflation Act Could Impact You

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Have you heard? The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on Tuesday, August 16. While the $430 billion package includes many provisions, I thought I’d highlight three key areas where you may benefit the most.Tax credits...

These Months are More Volatile Than Others

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Thursday, September 1, 2022

We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...

Recession or Growth Scare? Your Guide

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

I’m hearing a lot of mixed messages these days about the economy. Some headlines say we’re already in a recession; some say one is looming. Others hint that we’ll avoid a recession and have a soft landing. It makes...

The Fed's Inflation Nowcasting Tool

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Does waiting 30 days for a government report seem a bit unreasonable? After all, we live in a world of instant messages and real-time quotes. Why should we wait a whole month between updates on the Consumer Price Index to see what's...

"Where there's a will, there's a way." Sage advice that applies not only to our lives but to your estate strategy.When was the last time you reviewed your will or estate strategy? August is National "Make a Will" Month, an excellent...

Unpacking the Summer Economy

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

In the financial world, some weeks are more important than others, and we just lived through a big one. Let's unpack each of the four key stats:The Fed. As expected, the Fed bumped up short-term rates again at its July meeting. But the...

Companies Winning Despite Sour Economy

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion.And this may be one of those times.Government reports are telling a rather bleak story about the economy. The headlines talk about high inflation, rising interest rates, and a...

Inflation, Interest Rates, & Indiana Jones

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Stop me if you heard this already—roughly half the population wasn’t alive last time inflation was at this level.It’s true. According to IMDb.com, Raiders of the Lost Ark was the #1 movie at the box office the last...

Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

LPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating TurbulenceMarkets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate...

How SECURE 2.0 Might Change Retirement

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

The SECURE Act of 2019 represented the biggest update to retirement law in over a decade. Now, Congress is deliberating on what “SECURE 2.0” legislation might entail.In March, the House passed the Securing a Strong...

3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...

Searching for the Goldilocks Economy

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, June 21, 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...

Wise Words from Warren Buffett

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

During periods of market turbulence, I take comfort in one of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes:“Don’t watch the market closely.”The Oracle of Omaha gave this sage advice in 2016, when Brexit, China’s economic...

When bears are loud, consider this

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Some gloomy headlines are coming out of Wall Street lately. Have you noticed?In recent days, I’ve read things like “Brace yourself for economic hurricanes” and “Wall Street investor survey paints a dire outlook...

When Will the Stock Market Hit Bottom?

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

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...

Weekly Market Insights: Recession Concerns Rising

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Recession fears grew last week following weak earnings reports from major retailers, sending stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.90%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 3.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped...

Are You Worried About Selecting The Right College Savings Plan For Your Child?

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

In this article, we take a look at some basic questions that a grandparent/parent faces towards financing their children's college education. Are you concerned about how to balance paying for college while planning for retirement? This...

Are You Scared of Facing Risks of Losing Wealth Saved for Health & Retirement?

Balaji Rao MBA, CPFA

Friday, September 3, 2021

Do you always look to protect all you have worked hard for better health and dream retirement? This article will help you take the right approach towards risks faced by individuals regarding health, retirement, and Life. How do you...

Wall Street Reacts to Potentially Divided Government

Balaji Rao

Sunday, November 8, 2020

After many weeks of telegraphing a long and careful ballot count, this week’s election lived up to that prediction in races for the Senate, the House, and the presidency. While Americans voted Tuesday, Wall Street cast its...

October Is Financial Planning Month

Balaji Rao

Friday, October 9, 2020

When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to...

Mergers, Acquisitions, & the Markets

Balaji Rao

Friday, September 25, 2020

There hasn’t been much merger and acquisition activity through 2020. This diminished activity comes despite low interest rates, which may help companies manage the cost of borrowing for a purchase. Some of this makes sense, in...

Are you struggling with managing your money? Are you struggling with managing your investment? Are you finding difficulties in making decisions for any investment? Is your business's financial management on the right path? If your...

Various life events or priority changes can create a need to re-evaluate your clients’ life insurance needs. Take a look at your existing book of business and make a list of clients you think might have experienced a life event...

It’s a lot easier to help clients and prospects find solutions when they understand the problem

Balaji Rao

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

More than half of Americans think life insurance costs 3x or more than it does. 6 ways life insurance can offer financial protection Get a detailed estimate with Riskalyze Financial’s life insurance calculator.

43% of American’s aren’t Protecting Their Loved Ones from The Unexpected

Balaji Rao

Thursday, September 3, 2020

43% of Americans aren’t protecting their loved ones with life insurance, which means there is a good chance you may know someone who doesn’t have life insurance, giving you the opportunity to help them protect their loved...

Navigate safely to the other side of a historic economy Join Brian Resnick, director and senior investment strategist at Alliance Bernstein, for a look at economic history in the making. He’ll share his cyclical and secular...

Will Political Changes Affect the Economy?

Balaji Rao

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

With all of the storm and stress of the year 2020, you’d be forgiven if you momentarily forgot that we’re due for another national election in November. Many states will be selecting governors, representatives, and...

Don’t Overreact in August

Balaji Rao

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

One of my favorite Wall Street quotes is from Mark Twain, who said:“October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June,...

30-year Home Loans Fall to Historic Lows

Balaji Rao

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020, there may be some potential good news on the horizon. On July 16, 2020, the interest rate for a 30-year...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks See a Mixed Week

Balaji Rao

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Stocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%, while the Standard...

LPL Financial, LLC. values the privilege of helping you pursue your financial goals. Along with this rewarding work comes the obligation to comply with industry regulations which have been established to protect investors. On...

What's driving current market behavior?

Balaji Rao

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

In the era of COVID-19, and the financial woes it has created, I often get asked, “Why is the stock market holding up so well when the economy appears to be struggling?”To understand why the markets react — or...

Reminder: Tax Day is Tomorrow

Balaji Rao

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

This year has had no shortage of changes to the normal course of business.In March, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that they extended the federal income tax filing and payment deadline until July 15...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Gain After Volatile Week

Balaji Rao

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Stock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Have you been thinking about life insurance?

Balaji Rao

Monday, July 6, 2020

In our uncertain climate, it’s unsurprising that when American investors are thinking about their financial strategy, that the topic of life insurance comes up.For some, it’s always been front of mind. For younger...

Weekly Market Insights: Rise in Cases Inspires Turbulence

Balaji Rao

Monday, July 6, 2020

A jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%, while the Standard &...