Political climates around the world can have rippling affects not just on those countries but also on the United States, the financial markets and our economy. Greg Powell, President/CEO of fi-Plan Partners, explains how he and his portfolio team track political elections in key countries and project what possible affects they can have on American investors. Email Greg here or call him if you have any questions or concerns. Note: Becau ... read more
1/10/11: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here’s my opinion on the financial markets today. The markets opened lower this morning on Eurozone debt concerns. Peripheral European countries are preparing for debt offerings this week, prompting investors around the world to take some equity risk "off the table." Continuing the international theme, concerns of tighter monetary poli ... read more
1/07/11: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on the financial markets today. The economy created 103,000 jobs in December according to Bloomberg.com, far fewer that the consensus expectation of 150,000, and a major disappointment relative to raised expectations in the wake of the strong ADP report that we highlighted for our readers earlier in the week. Stocks still ... read more
In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on the financial markets today. Around fi-plan Partners, our “Christmas spirit” and avid market watching is beginning to “merge into one” as we get deeper into the holidays. The tax bill will move to the House of Representatives floor on Friday after the successful 81-19 Senate vote. The House will vote first on an alter ... read more
economic data, Economic Outlook, Government, Weekly Market Updates
In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on the financial markets today. It seems ironic that in this season where our children’s Christmas gifts usually operate at the decibel level of a jet engine, the electronics retailer Best Buy had a big earnings shortfall this morning. (Well, look on the bright side, ‘Silent Night’ may really be true this year!). The S& ... read more
economic data, Economic Outlook, Government, Weekly Market Updates
In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here’s my opinion on the financial markets today. One of our favorite advertising quotes around fi-plan Partners is the well-known Nike tag line, “Just Do It.” As far as the tax compromise is concerned, don’t you wish we could just put a “Swoosh” on the thing and move on? The markets certainly want to. U.S. stocks opened higher this ... read more
economic data, Economic Outlook, Financial Insights Blog, Government, taxes, Weekly Market Updates
In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here’s my opinion on the financial markets today. Particularly living in a “storm belt” like we do in Alabama, we’re fascinated with the “360 degree sweep” technology that a Doppler radar offers to provide better, and timely, information. When there is not much meaningful economic data coming out in a quiet reporting week to cause a ... read more
economic data, Economic Outlook, Financial Insights Blog, Government, taxes, Weekly Market Updates
Market participants breathed a sigh of relief in early November. The arrival of the long-awaited mid-term elections and the Federal Reserve (Fed) announcement of another stimulus program unfolded as anticipated. Even though the major political headlines are out of the way, what happens in Washington during the remainder of the year will still hold influence over the markets. The most important item facing Congress is the looming expiration of ... read more
As the calendar turned to fall, the markets began to rise. While bonds posted a respectable 2.5% gain for the third quarter, measured by the Barclays Aggregate Bond index, the S&P 500 posted an outstanding 11% gain for the third quarter. This performance was driven by an unusually strong September. The gains during the quarter were far from steady. Volatility was high as the S&P 500 moved up and down—and up again—within a 10% trading ... read more
As we go further into the 3rd quarter of the year and approach the 4th, one of the biggest concerns of investors is the elections in November. Whether you are a Democrat, Republican or Independent doesn’t matter. As an American, you should be concerned about the deficits this country has and how we are going to pay for them. In its simplest form, we all know that you either have to raise taxes or cut spending. The big debate within the ... read more
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