Retirement is a milestone most people spend decades planning for, ensuring they have a strong financial foundation to support their ideal retirement lifestyle.
Navigating the Retirement Shift
Retail Therapy
The mood among American consumers, by many accounts, is grim. This sense of uncertainty and anxiety has been pervasive in 2025.
Actions Over Words
With the S&P 500 tumbling 18% in April from its February high, and subsequently rallying back to an all-time high, the second quarter was a wild rollercoaster for investors.
Unpacking America's Debt: Who Really Holds the Bag?
There’s a common belief that most of the U.S. national debt is owned by foreign countries—especially China. But the reality is far more nuanced, with most of the debt being held domestically. As of December 2024, the total U.S. national debt stood at $36.1 trillion. That number includes two main parts: debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings. The public portion—about $28.8 trillion—is what really matters when we talk about who owns U.S. debt. The rest, around $7.3 trillion, is money the government owes itself, such as social security and Medicare trust funds.
Retail Therapy
The mood among American consumers, by many accounts, is grim. This sense of uncertainty and anxiety has intensified throughout 2025. Both military and trade wars continue to simmer as political divisions widen. The cumulative weight of inflation, coupled with concerns about the U.S. fiscal situation and interest rates that remain higher than their pre-COVID levels, all contribute to a collective unease. The alarmist tone of much of the media only serves to amplify these anxieties, creating a climate where apprehension seems to be the default setting.
Estate Tax Considerations
Estate tax has been a highly debated topic in Congress for years. With the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, and the ongoing discussions on extending certain provisions, estate tax is again on the short list for debate.
Inflation Data Defies Predictions
For four consecutive months, economists have predicted that U.S. inflation would surge, largely due to President Trump's trade policies and the anticipated economic impact of his tariffs.
All Eyes on Employment
Last weekend, I caught up with a childhood friend working as a graphic designer. While discussing our respective careers and industries, he mentioned the difficulty his colleagues were having in finding jobs in their field, an experience that seemed to contradict the positive U.S. employment statistics reported earlier in the year. This week, both he and investors anxiously awaited the release of several related reports, hoping to gain a better understanding of the current state of the labor market and its recent shifts.
Tariffs Today: A Compendium
Tariffs have long been used globally to support local industries by incentivizing citizens to purchase domestically made products. At the turn of the 20th century, tariffs were the primary source of tax revenue for many nations. Today, funding comes from income, payroll and corporate taxes. In the U.S., tariffs accounted for approximately 90% of federal income until the Civil War. After World War II, tariffs fell out of favor in developed economies because they often led to reduced trade, higher prices and retaliation from abroad.
May Flowers
As the final days of May unfold, American consumers are feeling notably more optimistic. After several months of declining sentiment, the latest consumer confidence data showed a strong rebound from an almost five-year low, with the increase largely attributed to easing trade tensions.
Pahlow on Koin
Our colleague Samantha Pahlow, CFTA, talked to AM Extra's Emily Burris and Travis Teich about the importance of 529 accounts on the eve of 529 Day.
Big, Beautiful Bond Yields
Over the last few weeks investors have put upward pressure on bond yields for a variety of reasons. First, the U.S. treasury lost its last AAA rating when Moody’s downgraded United States debt to AA.
Securing Your Legacy
In an ever-changing world, one thing remains constant: life’s unpredictability. As such, it is never too early to begin establishing your estate plan.
Data vs. Drama: The Real Economic Story
After a 20% rebound from its April 7 lows, the S&P 500 is positive for the year, marking one of the most significant short-term comebacks in market history. The market rallied on Monday following weekend news about tariff negotiations with China. In a complete reversal from the earlier “Liberation Day” tariff announcement, the punitive 145% tariff rate on Chinese goods was reduced to 30%, with a 90-day pause implemented. In response, China lowered its retaliatory tariff rate on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%.
Muni Moment: Why Yields Are Attractive Now
For investors seeking income and a source of portfolio stability, municipal bonds present a compelling option. These debt instruments are issued by cities, states and local governments across the United States to finance public projects such as schools, roads and utilities.
A Break From Tariff Talk
This week, for the first time in months, tariff news was overshadowed by economic and earnings headlines. Those of us in the business of analyzing the market and economy can agree that this was a refreshing shift.
Pahlow on Koin
Spring is in the air and it's also a good time to do a yearly review of your financial goals, and freshen up your financial acumen. Our colleague Samantha Pahlow, CFTA, talked to AM Extra's Emily Burris and Travis Teich about the importance of financial literacy too.
Independence Day
Independence Day may evoke visions of fireworks and parades or perhaps memories of the 1996 summer blockbuster movie where aliens hovered over The White House. While no actual fireworks or aliens were involved, this past Tuesday was probably the most pressing “Independence Day” for our country’s central bank as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s political independence was put to the test.
Jason Norris on KPTV
It can be stressful to watch your investments go up and down as markets fluctuate in response to economic policy changes. KPTV's Spencer Schacht sat down with our colleague Jason Norris, CFA recently to discuss investors' concerns - and how to stay the course.
Wealth Management Insights Video Second Quarter 2025
Estate planning is critical for protecting your wealth and ensuring your wishes are followed during your life and beyond. This quarter's Wealth Management Insights video explores key components of an effective estate plan and how to incorporate flexibility when needed.