Keeping You Informed 

Housing activity has been mixed in recent years across a number of measures. For new buyers, the biggest challenge with affordability is mortgage rates. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around 6.3%, well above the lows of 3% or less in 2020 and 2021, and the average of 4.6% since 2008. This means that the monthly cost of purchasing a home is significantly higher than it was just a few years ago, even for buyers with substantial down payments.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

The reality is that geopolitical conflicts tend to affect financial markets through energy prices, which directly impact fuel costs and can then ripple through the economy. How much this affects prices depends on how long energy costs stay high. Understanding these transmission mechanisms can help investors maintain perspective. In particular, inflation, the job market, and corporate earnings, can provide useful insights in today’s market environment.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

Most retirees know that healthcare is often the largest and most unpredictable expense in retirement, which can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars on average. Healthcare can come from many sources, with Medicare being a major consideration in the financial planning process. Yet, despite its importance, Medicare rules can create confusion for many Americans. Understanding how Medicare works, the choices it presents, and how those choices affect a broader financial plan is essential for retirees and those approaching retirement. Getting these decisions right can help protect savings, maximize health coverage, and manage cash flow across decades of retirement.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

The first year of retirement can feel exciting, uncertain, and everything in between. Here's what to expect emotionally, financially, and practically as you settle into this next chapter. Reach out if you'd like to talk through your transition.

Why are gasoline prices rising so rapidly, and how is the conflict in Iran influencing what Americans pay at the pump? How much more are households spending on fuel, and who feels the greatest financial strain? How do higher energy costs ripple through the broader economy, raising prices for goods and services and add pressure to inflation?

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

🔎 Market Insight: Why Sector Balance Matters in 2026 This year’s market has seen a 40%+ performance gap between the best and worst S&P 500 sectors—driven by Middle East tensions, rising oil prices, and shifting AI expectations. Energy is surging on geopolitical risk, while defensive sectors like Utilities and Consumer Staples are helping steady portfolios. At the same time, questions around AI’s impact on traditional software have led investors to broaden their focus beyond tech. The takeaway: Sector leadership changes fast. A well‑diversified portfolio—spanning growth, cyclical, and defensive sectors—remains the strongest way to navigate volatility and stay aligned with long‑term goals.

Markets that lack a clear direction can feel uncomfortable. In times like these, maintaining a level-headed perspective is critical when there is so much negativity in the news. It’s more important than ever to not lose sight of long-term goals, especially because saving and investing properly are still the best ways to grow wealth over time. What should investors keep in mind as uncertainty continues?

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

The ongoing conflict in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices sharply higher. Both Brent crude and WTI have jumped from around $70 per barrel to around $100 in just a few days, approaching levels last seen in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. This has driven significant uncertainty across global markets, with headlines mentioning a “global economic downturn,” “stagflation,” and more. How $100 Oil and the Middle East Conflict Impacts Investors?

Have you received an inheritance and aren’t sure what to do next? Learn how to decide whether to spend, save, or invest so you can honor your loved one’s gift while securing your financial future.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.

After nearly a year of trade policy uncertainty, the Supreme Court's ruling that recent tariffs are unconstitutional has reset the policy landscape. Yet, as is often the case in Washington, when one chapter closes, another opens. President Trump has already signaled a switch to an alternative legal framework for tariffs, and markets are still digesting what this means for trade policy, corporate earnings, consumer spending, and investment portfolios. What's the future of tariffs?

Financial stress can affect both mental and physical health. This article explores how mindfulness and meditation may help individuals manage financial anxiety, improve focus, and approach money decisions with greater clarity and intention.

Review your legacy approach regularly, particularly following significant life events or legislative updates.