Keeping You Informed 

The Federal Reserve plays a key role in supporting the economy and financial system. While headlines often focus on the Fed's next rate decision, much of the debate on both Wall Street and in Washington is around what the Fed’s role should be. The Fed’s mandate has evolved over time in response to financial crises and business cycle trends. For many investors, this can be a controversial topic, with natural disagreements over the scope of the Fed’s authority and what policy actions it should take today on interest rates and the money supply. Looking ahead into next year, these topics matter because they shape not just near-term policy decisions, but the future of the Fed itself. What context do investors need as Fed headlines dominate the news in the coming months?

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

As we look ahead to 2026, the investment landscape presents both opportunities and challenges. Topics likely to be in the headlines include the upcoming midterm election, a changing of the guard at the Federal Reserve, the future of AI, growing concerns around loans, the path of the U.S. dollar, and more. What matters most isn't whether investors can forecast each twist and turn, but whether their portfolio is positioned to weather uncertainty while capturing long-term growth. Here are seven key themes that can help guide how investors think about the year ahead.

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

"It is more agreeable to have the power to give than to receive." The holiday season is a natural time to reflect on charitable giving and the role it can play as part of a comprehensive financial plan. Thoughtful charitable planning can not only support philanthropic goals, but increase tax efficiency as well. The question isn't just whether to give, but how to give in ways that maximize both the impact on causes you care about and the benefits to your overall financial plan.

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.

There's an old saying that criminals rob banks because that's where the money is. However, in today's financial system, money isn't just in banks anymore, but across different types of financial institutions. While the hope among policymakers was to reduce the risk to banks after the global financial crisis, this has created new challenges. With recent bankruptcies leading to investor concerns of cracks in the credit market, it’s important for long-term investors to maintain perspective on what this truly means. Why is the credit crisis coming up in the news today?

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

This handy interactive explains which essential government services are affected by a shutdown.

This article examines one's options when receiving a work bonus or other financial windfalls.

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.

Are Investors Holding Too Much Cash? For long-term investors, a growing challenge today is how to manage cash as short-term interest rates fall. What appears safe actually comes with real costs beneath the surface, since holding too much cash can quietly undermine long-term financial goals. This comes at an important time, when some investors find themselves with “cash on the sidelines,” including a record $7.3 trillion held in money market funds.

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

Explore how the One Big Beautiful Bill may affect taxes, deductions, and credits now and in the years ahead.

The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors—Check-in weekly for the most current happenings.

What Is the Impact of a Government Shutdown on the Markets and Economy?

The famous investing principle "don't fight the Fed" was coined in the 1970s but has only grown in significance. The idea is simple: the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions can have important effects on markets and the economy, so investors should consider them carefully. At the same time, perspective is needed to focus on the overall path of interest rates, and not individual Fed decisions. This is relevant today as the Fed continues its rate-cutting cycle amid a complex economic environment.

Learn how to coordinate your retirement accounts like an orchestra to help maximize your retirement strategy.