Keeping You Informed 

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

What does the recent rise in inflation mean for the economy and markets? The just-released Consumer Price Index report for April showed prices rising 3.8% over the past 12 months, the highest level since mid-2023.

Macroeconomic events have increasingly driven markets. Today, oil prices, new OPEC developments, and tariffs are creating uncertainty. How should long-term investors keep these events in perspective?

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

Starting in 2026, families can open 530A accounts — also known as "Trump Accounts" — for eligible children under 18. Learn how they work, who qualifies, contribution limits, and how they may factor into long-term family savings.

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

The human brain is excellent at finding patterns, a skill that has evolved to help us across many parts of life. However, it can also lead us astray when there is no real pattern at all, such as when we see shapes in clouds and ink blots. When it comes to investing, this is relevant because some patterns are important, such as the long-term relationship between the market and the economy, while others may be due to pure coincidence. Distinguishing between what makes for interesting trivia versus true investing principles is a challenging but important part of achieving long-term financial success.

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

It has now been more than three-and-a-half years since the bull market began in October 2022. At that time, inflation was rising at its fastest pace in fifty years, the Fed was hiking interest rates, and ChatGPT was still a month away from being released to the public. Since then, the S&P 500 has more than doubled in value and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond index has fully recovered.

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.

One of the most consistent lessons from financial history is that markets have a way of surprising investors. They can often rebound exactly when investors are the most pessimistic, and this year is a great example. A common question is: Should I stay invested?

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 immediate reaction to the ceasefire in Iran has been a jump in the stock market and a significant drop in oil prices. This is positive, especially from a humanitarian perspective. The two-week ceasefire recently announced between the U.S. and Iran, with a key focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supply, is an important development for investors. Energy prices and inflation concerns continue to be top of mind.

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.