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# Fi Plan Partners

Helping Build a Better, Richer, Fuller Life.

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Insights](https://fiplanpartners.com/insights/)
- [Where Are We Going?](https://fiplanpartners.com/where-are-we-going/) - Will History Repeat Itself? There has been a lot of negative headline news about the slowing economy, high but falling inflation, as well as the fight about the debt ceiling fight. Today, we are pointing out something we discussed last year: market performance 12 months after a midterm election. In this episode, you will see
- [Russian Roulette](https://fiplanpartners.com/russian-roulette/) - Unrest in Russia There was an effective attempted coup in Russia over the weekend with the Wagner group. At one point, they were marching on Moscow. However, when the markets opened today, this topic seemed quelled entirely. What it did, however, was create more questions. This war between Russia and Ukraine has been in a
- [Will AI Replace Human Advisors?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-ai-replace-human-advisors/) - Watch this week's educational episode to hear Greg Powell and Mark Hume discuss artificial intelligence and how it could play a future role in the finance industry. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi
- [Skip or Pause](https://fiplanpartners.com/skip-or-pause/) - Inflation and The Fed Coming into the Fed's interest rate decision, most market participants expected the Fed not to raise rates, and those expectations were met. What made this meeting so important, and why did the market react the way it did? It's because there's still the unknown of whether or not this is a
- [#214: How Tax Reform Affects Your Wallet](https://fiplanpartners.com/tax-reform/) - Tax reform is next on President Trump’s agenda after healthcare. The debate today is whether he should start with corporate tax reform or tax cuts. Either way, the markets and investors are watching.
- [#201: GDP, Europe, and the Economy Trump Will Inherit](https://fiplanpartners.com/gdp-trump-inherit/) - Friday’s new GDP will be the big news of the week. This report will give us an idea of the kind of economy the Trump administration will be inheriting.
- [#175: The Next Market Catalyst That Could Grow Your Portfolio](https://fiplanpartners.com/next-market-catalyst-grow-portfolio/) - We are always looking for what will be the next catalyst that will take the markets and your portfolio up. The next market catalyst could come if earnings catch up to price and make the market less expensive. The big negative risk will be if price drops to where earnings are. However, technology could be the market catalyst we are looking for.
- [#166 Is The Market Going Up Or Has It Peaked?](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-going-up/) - We are at a tipping point with the markets. Is the market going up or has it peaked? The catalyst could be the Fed as it has been a “Fed’s Market” for the past few years. The possibility of Great Britain leaving the EU and the price of oil fluctuating has created some uncertainty in the markets. When the markets are uncertain, that can hurt your portfolio.
- [#158: Market Uncertainty Over Upcoming Elections](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-uncertainty-upcoming-elections/) - We had a mixed bag of economic reports come out last week, some good some bad. The jobless claims report was good but the bad was in retail sales and small business sentiment, which hit a new year low. We believe a lot of business owners have fears concerning the upcoming elections. There is an uncertainty and the markets don’t like uncertainty.
- [#148 Negative Portfolio Impact Factors](https://fiplanpartners.com/negative-portfolio-impact/) - There are a lot of “what-ifs” out there that have the potential to have a negative portfolio impact. We will bring you up to date on the most important ones.
- [#124 Will The Fed Raise Interest Rates?](https://fiplanpartners.com/raise-interest-rates/) - There are reasons for the Fed to raise interest rates and good reasons they will not. We will give you our insights as well as our political predictions as they may affect the markets and bring about more volatility. All this and more in the video.
- [#126 Risk In Your Portfolio And Market Volatility Created By Politics](https://fiplanpartners.com/risk-in-your-portfolio-and-market-volatility-created-by-politics/) - Whenever the government starts to debate on a debt ceiling or a government shutdown it creates an uneasiness in the markets and ultimately risk in your portfolio. While the economy is showing signs of growth, the markets respond more negatively to political front page news. There are however, areas where we see growth opportunities in the next two weeks. More in the video.
- [High Frequency Trading: Should You Be Concerned?](https://fiplanpartners.com/high-frequency-trading/) - In one way you do need to be concerned about high frequency trading. I believe the markets need to be fair to everybody and not favor anyone. However, if you are a long term investor, the day to day trading strategies of the over all market, like high frequency trading, do not really affect you. High frequency trading can cause volatility in the market. Some people are debating that high frequency trading has caused the market to go higher, but the jury is still out.
- [A Wild Market Ride](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-wild-market-ride/) - 8/5/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: After a very strong open on pretty good payroll numbers, stocks reversed lower in early action this morning as European contagion fears and U.S. growth
- [Just Like the Bowl Games, a Strong "Kick-Off"" to Stocks this Morning](https://fiplanpartners.com/strong-kick-off-to-stocks-this-morning/) - 1/3/20011: Unless your performance index is tied to Big Ten team bowl outcomes, this morning’s early market opening was looking strong. Enthusiasm for overseas markets is spilling over into U.S. markets and helping a solid open for the S&P, along with energy and agricultural commodities. Europe showed solid performance numbers coupled with indications that the Chinese economy is exhibiting slower growth and less inflation pressure. The later helped the Hang Seng Index to a nearly 2% rally. So, on the opening business day of 2011, as the world goes, so does the U.S. Looking back to Friday, stocks held onto solid 2010 gains but couldn’t add to them on New Year’s Eve. As is to be expected, Friday’s session was quiet, as no sector moved much in a day that lacked economic or company news to impact markets. A nearly 7% December increase helped the S&P 500 achieve a more than 10% fourth quarter gain. The S&P returned 15% for the year, with about two percentage points of the return coming from dividends. Here are four items that we were discussing in the office this morning that we thought would be of interest to our readers:
- [The Focus This Morning Is Europe](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-focus-this-morning-is-europe/) - 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 policy weighed on both Chinese and Indian markets.
- [Unfortunatley, Another Disappointing Jobs Report](https://fiplanpartners.com/unfortunatley-another-disappointing-jobs-report/) - 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, 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 managed to open marginally higher this morning despite the disappointing jobs news. The markets will also be following Fed Chairman Bernake’s appearance before the Senate Budget Committee this morning. The major averages finished mixed Thursday as strength in the Technology sector powered the NASDAQ higher while the Dow and S&P 500 ended slightly lower. European stocks are lower this morning ahead of next week’s bond issues. Asian markets were mostly lower, although the Nikkei managed a slight gain.
- [Is AI Replacing America's Back Office?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-ai-replacing-americas-back-office/) - AI is no longer just transforming manufacturing and technology. From banking and healthcare to customer service and accounting, AI is reshaping the “back office” jobs that have long provided a path to the middle class, creating both challenges and new opportunities along the way. In this week’s Educational Insights, Ashley Page explores which roles are
- [Changing Seasons](https://fiplanpartners.com/changing-seasons/) - The Fed’s Next Move Two developments that have been building over the past several months came together over the weekend to put upward pressure on interest rates. The first was Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s speech at Jackson Hole. Warsh emphasized his commitment to discipline rather than making a specific policy decision. While the statement
- [The Aging of America's Trades](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-aging-of-americas-trades/) - Aging skilled trades workers could become an unexpected economic bottleneck, with five workers leaving the trades for every one worker entering. In this week’s Educational Insights, Ashley Page explores the growing workforce gap, its potential impact on construction and manufacturing, and why the demand for skilled trades is rising at the same time. Watch to
- [Earning Respect](https://fiplanpartners.com/earning-respect/) - Strong Earnings, Tougher Comparisons More than 90% of companies have now reported second quarter earnings, giving us a clear picture of a remarkably strong earnings season. Earnings growth for the quarter has exceeded 50%, an exceptional level of growth by historical standards. Some of that growth has been influenced by unusual valuation changes tied to
- [The Cost of Long-Term Care](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-cost-of-long-term-care/) - Long-term care can become one of the most significant and unexpected expenses in retirement, with nursing home costs in Alabama potentially exceeding $100,000 per year. In this week’s Educational Insights, Robert Moody explores the true cost of care, the options available, and how planning ahead can help protect your retirement savings and give you greater
- [Momentum is our Friend](https://fiplanpartners.com/momentum-is-our-friend/) - Strong Market Breadth The market typically begins to experience greater volatility around this point in midterm election years. However, one encouraging development is the strength and breadth of current market momentum. The S&P 500 continues to show broad participation, with the highest percentage of stocks trading above their 200-day technical moving average since 2024. Currently,
- [Avoiding Mid-Career Stall](https://fiplanpartners.com/mid-career-stall/) - One of the most overlooked threats to retirement wealth may happen long before retirement: a mid-career stall. In this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page explores how spending five or more years without a meaningful promotion or raise can reduce overall retirement wealth by 15–25%, and shares four strategies to keep your career and
- [The 3-6-9 Savings Rule](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-3-6-9-savings-rule/) - One of the most common financial questions people ask is, "How much should I keep in emergency savings?" In this week's episode of Educational Insights, Bobby Norman breaks down the simple 3-6-9 savings rule, explains how to determine the right emergency fund for your unique situation, and shares where to keep those funds so they're
- [Generations of Wisdom: Timeless Perspective with Ann Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/generations-of-wisdom-timeless-perspective-with-ann-powell/) - On the latest episode of Innovation Mavericks, Greg sits down with his mom, Ann Powell, to discuss the technological, cultural, and economic changes she has witnessed throughout her life and the lessons she's learned along the way. This conversation is filled with real-life wisdom that resonates no matter what stage of life you're in. From
- [The Great Reset](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-great-reset/) - The Federal Reserve Enters a New Chapter The Federal Reserve's latest meeting marked another important step in the early tenure of Chairman Kevin Warsh. As expected, policymakers left interest rates unchanged, opting for neither a rate increase nor a cut. However, the decision revealed growing disagreement within the committee, with three members voting in favor
- [Rare Earth Metals, Brazil, and the US GDP](https://fiplanpartners.com/rare-earth-metals-brazil-and-the-us-gdp/) - The race to secure rare earth metals is about far more than technology or national defense. In this week's episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page explains why the U.S. is turning to Brazil to strengthen critical supply chains, what China's dominance means for the global economy, and why an industry supporting nearly $1.2 trillion of
- [Volatility and Votes](https://fiplanpartners.com/volatility-and-votes/) - Election Years Often Bring Volatility, Not Lasting Market Changes Investor questions surrounding the upcoming midterm election continue to increase, particularly regarding how election results could impact financial markets. Historically, heightened market volatility leading into an election is completely normal. Volatility has typically increased as Election Day approaches, with October often proving to be the most
- [The Sequence of Returns Risk](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-sequence-of-returns-risk/) - Most investors focus on average market returns, but in retirement, the sequence of those returns can make a significant difference. In this week's episode of Educational Insights, Trey Booth explains sequence of returns risk and demonstrates how two retirees with the same average returns can end up with dramatically different outcomes based solely on when
- [Feeling Richer?](https://fiplanpartners.com/feeling-richer/) - Bonds Continue to Demonstrate Their Value While much of the attention has centered on stocks, the bond market has quietly delivered strong performance over the past two years. Bonds remain an important component of diversified portfolios because they help reduce risk, generate income, and provide stability during periods of market uncertainty. Since October 19, 2023,
- [Analyzing Individual Stocks](https://fiplanpartners.com/analyzing-individual-stocks/) - With thousands of publicly traded companies to choose from, identifying quality investment opportunities requires more than simply following headlines or popular trends. In this week's episode of Educational Insights, Bobby Norman shares the structured approach our Portfolio Strategies Team uses to evaluate individual stocks, from understanding a company's business model and financial health to assessing
- [A Week Worth Watching](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-week-worth-watching/) - Interest Rates Remain the Market's Focus Interest rates continue to be one of the most important indicators for investors because of their broad impact on the economy. The 10-year Treasury yield influences mortgage rates, corporate borrowing costs, and overall financial conditions, making it a key measure to watch. After easing briefly, the 10-year Treasury yield
- [Reports Are In](https://fiplanpartners.com/reports-are-in/) - Employment Remains on Solid Ground Employment continues to be one of the most important indicators for both the economy and the stock market. A healthy labor market means more people are earning income, saving, investing, and contributing to overall economic growth. Those factors typically create greater demand for investment assets and provide support for stock
- [Market Fireworks](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-fireworks-2/) - Employment Remains a Key Market Driver Although the week is shortened by the holiday, one of the most important economic reports of the month arrives before the weekend. The latest payroll report provides an updated snapshot of the labor market, one of the Federal Reserve's primary measures of economic health. Because the Fed's dual mandate
- [The Global Impact of U.S. LNG Exports](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-global-impact-of-u-s-lng-exports/) - For decades, the United States relied on imported natural gas, but a surge in domestic production has transformed the country into the world's leading exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). In this week's episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page explores how LNG exports are strengthening global energy security, reducing Europe's dependence on Russian energy, and
- [Honeymoon with the Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/honeymoon-with-the-fed/) - Earnings Continue to Lead the Way June is traditionally known as wedding season, and in many ways the market's relationship with the Federal Reserve feels a bit like a honeymoon period. A new Federal Reserve Chairman has taken the helm, corporate earnings remain strong, and investors continue to push markets higher despite several reasons for
- [Deal or No Deal?](https://fiplanpartners.com/deal-or-no-deal/) - A Critical Week for Global Markets and the Federal Reserve Markets entered the week focused on two major developments: ongoing diplomatic discussions involving the United States and Iran, and the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting. Reports of progress toward a potential agreement between the United States and Iran have been welcomed by investors. News of
- [The Fed's Influence on the Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-feds-influence-on-the-markets/) - Market Strength Remains Concentrated One of the most important developments in the market this year has been the concentration of returns within a relatively small portion of the S&P 500. An analysis of sector performance reveals that technology stocks have once again emerged as the primary driver of market gains over the past several weeks,
- [Wealth vs. Money](https://fiplanpartners.com/wealth-vs-money/) - Most investors think of wealth and money as the same thing, but the distinction can have a major impact on financial markets and personal financial planning. In this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Trey Booth explores why assets like homes and investments represent wealth, why converting that wealth into spendable money isn't always as simple
- [Behind the Headlines](https://fiplanpartners.com/behind-the-headlines/) - Corporate Profitability Remains Exceptionally Strong With earnings season now complete, the latest results indicate that the fundamental backdrop for the equity market remains healthy. One of the most important measures of market strength is operating margin, which reflects how much profit a company generates from its core operations after covering production-related costs. Companies within the
- [#256 Inflation and Regulation](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-regulation/) - Right now, real inflation is about 1.7%. One thing we have been keeping an eye on is the European inflation report coming out this morning.
- [Who is Carrying the Cost of Tariffs?](https://fiplanpartners.com/who-is-carrying-the-cost-of-tariffs/) - New research from several highly regarded institutions suggests that Americans, not foreign nations, are absorbing nearly the full cost of recent tariffs. While tariffs are beginning to reshape global trade flows and create leverage through reduced trade volume, the immediate financial impact is falling much closer to home than many may realize. Watch this week’s
- [Markets and the Midterms](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-and-the-midterms/) - Markets and elections often create uncertainty, but history tells an interesting story about how midterm election years have traditionally impacted market performance. In this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ty Miller breaks down the historical trends, why volatility tends to rise during midterm years, and what past market cycles may suggest about the road ahead. While
- [Earnings Bonanza](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-bonanza/) - Strong Earnings Continue to Support the Market Markets continue to navigate a range of macroeconomic concerns, including rising gas prices and ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East. Investors are also closely watching the Federal Reserve, as higher yields and interest rates remain a key topic of discussion. Despite these external pressures, one area of the
- [Understanding 530A Accounts](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-530a-accounts/) - There’s been a lot of buzz recently around the new 530A Accounts, also known as “Trump Accounts,” a savings and retirement vehicle designed specifically for children, even starting at birth. In this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Jason Hatley breaks down how these accounts work, who qualifies, and why families are asking whether this could
- [What’s China Got to Do with It?](https://fiplanpartners.com/whats-china-got-to-do-with-it/) - Inflation, Wages, and the Global Impact of China Economic data released over the past two weeks has provided investors with important insight into the health of the U.S. economy and the potential direction of markets moving forward. One of the most significant reports came from the latest jobs data, which showed the U.S. economy added
- [Changes in E-Commerce: What Gives?](https://fiplanpartners.com/changes-in-e-commerce-what-gives/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page explores why e-commerce delivery trends are shifting from speed to cost savings as rising shipping expenses reshape consumer priorities. He breaks down how retailers are adapting to changing shopper preferences, with more consumers now choosing free standard delivery over expedited shipping. He also explores why these
- [2026 Women in Business: Felicia Ludlum](https://fiplanpartners.com/2026-women-in-business-felicia-ludlum/) - We are proud to celebrate our Chief Operating Officer, Felicia Ludlum, on being selected for the About Town Magazine feature, 2026 Women in Business. This recognition highlights her leadership, dedication, and the meaningful impact she continues to make within our firm, the communities we serve, and the broader industry. Keep reading to learn more.
- [Earnings Blowout](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-blowout/) - Federal Reserve Transition and Rising Dissent The most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting marked a significant transition point, as it was the final meeting led by Chairman Jerome Powell. While leadership changes at the Fed are not unusual, one unexpected development stands out: Powell will remain on the Board of Governors after stepping down
- [GDP and the Need for Enhanced Productivity](https://fiplanpartners.com/gdp-and-the-need-for-enhanced-productivity/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ty Miller breaks down the key drivers of economic growth, explaining how GDP is shaped by population trends and productivity. He explores why slowing population growth has weighed on the economy and how advancements in artificial intelligence could help fuel the next phase of expansion. While concerns around
- [Shaking Up the Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/shaking-up-the-fed/) - Federal Reserve Leadership in Transition A significant shift is underway at the Federal Reserve, placing unusual attention on both policy decisions and leadership changes. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) convenes this week to determine the direction of interest rates, whether to raise, lower, or maintain current levels. While expectations suggest rates will remain unchanged,
- [Good News, Bad News… We’ll See](https://fiplanpartners.com/good-news-bad-news-well-see/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Trey Booth shares the timeless story of a Chinese farmer to reframe how we interpret today’s headlines and market events. He connects this perspective to modern topics like tariffs, artificial intelligence, and economic uncertainty, illustrating how initial reactions often fail to capture the full picture. In a world
- [Will the Market Rally Hold?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-the-market-rally-hold/) - Consumer Liquidity, Market Support, and Federal Reserve Watch As the calendar moves past Tax Day, fresh data provides a clearer view of consumer finances. This year has delivered a notable surge in tax refunds, rising 34% year-over-year heading into mid-April. In total, individual refunds have reached approximately $270 billion, well above last year’s $225 billion
- [Leaving the U.S. & Why It Matters](https://fiplanpartners.com/leaving-the-u-s-why-it-matters/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page explores a rapidly growing trend of Americans relocating abroad in record numbers and what it could mean for the U.S. economy and financial markets. He breaks down the key drivers behind this shift, including rising domestic costs, the expansion of remote work, and evolving lifestyle priorities,
- [Energy Prices and Your Wallet](https://fiplanpartners.com/energy-prices-and-your-wallet/) - Technology Sector and Market Valuations Recent market volatility has led to increased analysis across key sectors, particularly technology. For several years, there have been concerns that the technology sector was overvalued, raising the risk that a correction could negatively impact the broader market. However, recent market movements have helped reset valuations. Forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios
- [When to Start Social Security Benefits](https://fiplanpartners.com/when-to-start-social-security-benefits/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Robert Moody breaks down one of the most important retirement decisions individuals face, which is when to begin claiming Social Security benefits. He walks through the key claiming ages, trade-offs between early and delayed benefits, and strategic considerations like spousal and survivor options that can significantly impact long-term
- [History, Please Repeat Yourself](https://fiplanpartners.com/history-please-repeat-yourself/) - Policy Uncertainty and Market Performance Uncertainty is often viewed as a negative force in financial markets. Periods of geopolitical tension, unclear government policy, or unexpected global events tend to create volatility and investor anxiety. Today’s environment is no exception, with elevated uncertainty driven by international conflict, trade concerns, and shifting political dynamics. One way to
- [The Rising Cost of Health Insurance](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-rising-cost-of-health-insurance/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page highlights the evolving landscape of employer health insurance in 2026, where rising costs are prompting companies to take a more proactive and strategic approach to benefits planning. He explores the key drivers behind these changes, including increased healthcare utilization, innovative treatments like GLP-1 therapies, and advancements
- [Tax Refunds and Market Risks](https://fiplanpartners.com/tax-refunds-and-market-risks/) - A Strong Tax Season Boosting Consumers As tax season passes its midpoint, a clear shift typically occurs, from early filers receiving refunds to later filers making payments. This year, refund data has been particularly strong, with total refunds nearing $200 billion and running approximately 19% higher than the same period last year. This surge in
- [New Fed Chair – What Lies Ahead?](https://fiplanpartners.com/new-fed-chair-what-lies-ahead/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ty Miller explores how newly appointed Federal Reserve chairs are often tested early in their tenure through heightened market volatility and pullbacks. Looking at past leaders from Paul Volcker to Jerome Powell, he highlights a consistent pattern of strong market performance leading up to confirmation, followed by notable
- [Fed Decisions, Escalation in War](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-decisions-escalation-in-war/) - Navigating Uncertainty with Clarity In today’s rapidly shifting global environment, investors are faced with an overwhelming amount of information. From central bank policy decisions to geopolitical tensions, the volume and complexity of news can make it difficult to determine what truly matters for long-term financial planning. The focus, however, should remain on identifying the key
- [Correlation and Causation](https://fiplanpartners.com/correlation-and-causation/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Trey Booth explains the critical difference between correlation and causation in investing. While many market trends appear connected, like certain stocks rising alongside the broader market, he highlights why moving in the same direction doesn’t necessarily mean one causes the other. By looking beyond surface-level data and digging
- [Oil Tells the Story](https://fiplanpartners.com/oil-tells-the-story/) - Higher Oil Prices are Cutting into Consumer Tailwinds Coming into the year, one of the major economic themes was the expected strength of the U.S. consumer. A key reason for that optimism was the wave of additional tax refunds created by provisions from last year’s tax legislation, including changes such as no tax on tips,
- [Crypto ETFs vs Owning Actual Crypto](https://fiplanpartners.com/crypto-etfs-vs-owning-actual-crypto/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ty Miller explores the growing conversation around cryptocurrency investing and the key differences between owning crypto directly and investing through a crypto ETF. He explains how each option works, from the convenience and regulation of ETFs traded through brokerage accounts to the control and responsibility that comes with
- [What's Changed?](https://fiplanpartners.com/whats-changed/) - Oil Spikes and What They Historically Mean for Markets One of the most immediate market reactions to geopolitical tension in the Middle East is the surge in oil prices. Since the current conflict began on February 28, crude oil has risen sharply, climbing roughly 18% within days and continuing to move higher as new developments
- [Commercial Construction Slowdown](https://fiplanpartners.com/commercial-construction-slowdown/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page examines why commercial construction is slowing down and what that means for the U.S. economy. From labor shortages tied to tighter immigration to rising material costs driven by tariffs, he breaks down the key forces slowing new projects across offices, hotels, apartments, and warehouses. He also
- ["The Truth is the First Casualty."](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-truth-is-the-first-casualty/) - Technical Levels and Market Support From a technical standpoint, the market has shown notable resilience despite geopolitical tension. The S&P 500 is currently trading around 6,845, holding up well in the wake of weekend developments. While volatility may persist, it is important to evaluate where meaningful support levels lie. The first key support range sits
- [Why Has Job Growth Slowed?](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-has-job-growth-slowed/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page unpacks the slowdown in U.S. job growth and what it signals for the broader economy. From the shift to a “low hire, low fire” environment to the impact of tariffs, labor shortages, AI adoption, and shifting workforce dynamics, he breaks down the four key forces reshaping
- [Tariffs, Taxes, and Earnings, Oh My!](https://fiplanpartners.com/tariffs-taxes-and-earnings-oh-my/) - Tax Refunds and the Consumer Spending Boost There is encouraging news on the tax front. Tax refunds for 2026 are already running approximately $3 billion ahead of last year, reflecting a 17% increase driven in part by recent tax legislation. While that growth rate is slightly below earlier projections, it remains strong and meaningful. Historically,
- [Pros and Cons of a Roth 401(k)](https://fiplanpartners.com/pros-and-cons-of-a-roth-401k/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Robert Moody breaks down the Roth 401(k) and how it compares to a traditional 401(k), along with how to know which one may be the best fit for your goals. From tax-free growth and withdrawals to contribution limits, employer matching, and tax diversification, this episode highlights the key
- [Hold Your Horses](https://fiplanpartners.com/hold-your-horses/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Mark Hume breaks down the topic of allowing private investments inside 401(k) plans and what it could mean for everyday investors. Private equity may offer new opportunities for diversification beyond public markets, but it also comes with important differences like fees, transparency, and how these investments are evaluated.
- [The Race Between Inflation and Productivity](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-race-between-inflation-and-productivity/) - Market Breadth is Strengthening One of the most important themes so far this year has been the broadening out of the stock market. In recent years, the market’s gains were heavily concentrated in the largest companies, particularly the “Magnificent 7,” with the top 5 to 10 stocks dramatically outperforming the rest of the index. This
- [Sports Spending and the GDP](https://fiplanpartners.com/sports-spending-and-the-gdp/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page breaks down how sports spending contributes to the U.S. economy, and the numbers may surprise you. Depending on how broadly it’s measured, sports account for roughly 1% to 2% of U.S. GDP, a footprint comparable to the entire American auto industry. From the Super Bowl and
- [Walking Tall at the Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/walking-tall-at-the-fed/) - Federal Reserve Policy and the “Height Chart” Theory The Federal Reserve met last week and, as widely expected, made no changes to interest rates. The decision generated little market reaction, largely because economic conditions have not deteriorated enough to warrant rate cuts. Long-term rates have remained relatively stable, short-term rates have already adjusted downward, and
- [The Use of AI on Wall Street](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-use-of-ai-on-wall-street/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ty Miller discusses Artificial Intelligence and how it is shaping Wall Street. AI is no longer a futuristic concept, as it’s already driving millions of trades each day by analyzing news, earnings calls, and even satellite data in real time to shape market decisions. From high-frequency trading to
- [Market Expansion](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-expansion/) - Broad Market Participation Signals Improving Market Health After several years of narrow leadership, early signs suggest the market is finally beginning to broaden. Market expansion, measured by how many stocks are participating in overall gains, is a critical component of a healthy and sustainable bull market. While major indexes may continue to hit new highs,
- [The Rising Cost of Eldercare](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-rising-cost-of-eldercare/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Bobby Norman breaks down the rising cost of eldercare and why it has become one of the most critical factors in long-term financial planning. With monthly costs ranging from roughly $6,000 for home care to nearly $10,000 for nursing homes, new data highlights how quickly these expenses can
- [The Impact of AI on Small Business](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-impact-of-ai-on-small-business/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page breaks down how a growing majority of small businesses are now using AI and how adoption is accelerating faster than many expected. New surveys show usage jumping to 58%, with practical applications ranging from everyday communications and marketing to analytics, scheduling, and customer service. The real
- [We'll See...](https://fiplanpartners.com/well-see/) - Seasonality and the Midterm Election Effect Seasonality has long played a role in understanding market behavior, and historical trends can help inform portfolio strategy. January has often set the tone for the year ahead. Historically, a positive January has skewed returns higher over the subsequent quarter, half-year, and full year, while a negative January has
- [Online Best Practices](https://fiplanpartners.com/online-best-practices/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Bobby Norman breaks down the growing cybersecurity threats facing individuals and businesses, from phishing and ransomware to lesser-known attacks that can quietly compromise your data. He shares practical, client-tested strategies to protect your financial life, including stronger passwords, multi-factor authentication, and smart habits that reduce risk before problems
- [Expect the Unexpected in 2026](https://fiplanpartners.com/expect-the-unexpected-in-2026/) - Volatility, the Fed, and the Productivity Question The year 2026 is poised to be a major inflection point. While 2025 represented a transition phase, toward artificial intelligence adoption and hoped-for productivity gains, 2026 may be the year where outcomes must finally materialize. In many ways, it is a “prove it” year for markets and policy
- [Closing Out 2025](https://fiplanpartners.com/closing-out-2025/) - Closing Out 2025: Setting the Stage for 2026 As 2025 comes to a close, the economic landscape offers both reassurance and reason for vigilance as we look ahead to 2026. Inflation has been the defining theme of the year, and recent data suggests meaningful progress. The latest CPI reading for November showed inflation at 2.7%
- [529 Plans – Overview and Important Changes](https://fiplanpartners.com/529-plans-overview-and-important-changes/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Robert Moody breaks down the latest updates to 529 plans, including new tax benefits, scholarship withdrawal flexibility, and even the ability to roll unused funds into a beneficiary’s Roth IRA. These changes give families more control than ever over education and retirement planning, with several little-known rules that
- [We’ve Never Seen…](https://fiplanpartners.com/weve-never-seen/) - Corporate Earnings and a Broadening Market One of the most compelling themes as we transition from 2025 into 2026 is the continued strength of corporate earnings. Estimated 12-month S&P 500 operating margins have climbed to historically impressive levels, reinforcing the idea that Corporate America remains on solid financial footing. As has been noted, a recession
- [Fed Up with the Fed and AI](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-up-with-the-fed-and-ai/) - The Fed’s Crucial Role and What Comes Next The Federal Reserve continues to dominate market conversations, and for good reason. Each decision the Fed makes, particularly regarding interest rates, carries direct implications for markets, borrowing, saving, and overall economic momentum. This week’s meeting is no exception. The Fed is widely expected to cut interest rates
- [Manufacturing and the US GDP](https://fiplanpartners.com/manufacturing-and-the-us-gdp/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Ashley Page breaks down why America’s manufacturing sector has slipped from 25% of the GDP in the 1950s to just 9.7% today and why restoring it could be transformative. He highlights how boosting manufacturing back to even 15% could strengthen the middle class, enhance national security, fuel innovation,
- [Holiday Market Wishlist](https://fiplanpartners.com/holiday-market-wishlist/) - Market Volatility, Seasonal Strength, and Key Economic Signals After an uptick in volatility throughout November, attention is now turning to December to determine whether seasonal strength can help stabilize or lift the markets. Historically, Thanksgiving week has marked the beginning of one of the strongest seasonal periods of the year. Given the market’s uneasiness in
- [Thanksgiving Table Topics](https://fiplanpartners.com/thanksgiving-table-topics/) - The Cost of Thanksgiving Comes Down Each year, the American Farm Bureau releases an estimate of what it costs to feed a family of ten for Thanksgiving, a lighthearted but useful snapshot of price trends for holiday staples. The latest estimate projects an average meal cost of $55.18, which is 5% lower than last year
- [Innovation Starts with a Bold Mindset: Insights with Jack Hernig](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-starts-with-a-bold-mindset-insights-with-jack-hernig/) - This week on Innovation Mavericks, we sat down with Jack Hernig, a standout leader known for bold innovation and creative strategy in the entrepreneurial world. From launching a business to future-focused planning and sharpening problem-solving skills, Jack reveals what it really takes to compete differently. His maverick mindset offers business owners and leaders a roadmap
- [How High Can It Go?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-high-can-it-go/) - Corporate Earnings: A Powerful Undercurrent Despite recent worries, rising credit card delinquencies, increases in announced layoffs, and other soft spots across the economy, corporate earnings continue to deliver strong support for equity markets. In the third quarter, 82% of S&P 500 companies surpassed earnings expectations, handily beating the four-year average of 76.3%. Year-over-year earnings growth
- [Innovation Meets Automation: Insights with Elliott Davis](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-meets-automation-insights-with-elliott-davis/) - This week on Innovation Mavericks, we sat down with Elliott Davis, Owner and Operator of Automatic Audio Video, to explore what it really takes to build a business at the cutting edge of audio and video technology. From identifying a simple need, “a guy who can make it all work,” to creating a thriving company
- [Shutdown Over: Now What?](https://fiplanpartners.com/shutdown-over-now-what/) - Understanding the Shutdown’s Economic Impact The surprise agreement over the weekend marks significant progress toward ending the shutdown. Lawmakers have reached the 60-vote threshold in the Senate to move forward with a “minibus” spending bill, which funds portions of the government, including the Department of Agriculture and food assistance programs, through September 30, the end
- [How Smart Businesses are Using AI to Level Up: Insights with Magna5](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-smart-businesses-are-using-ai-to-level-up-insights-with-magna5/) - AI is changing the game, and this week on Innovation Mavericks, Greg Powell sits down with Magna5’s Justin Cameron, Jacob Bever, and Jeff Jablonski to explore how businesses are turning AI into real-world results. From driving team adoption to keeping the conversation moving in a rapidly evolving landscape, their insights are not to be missed.
- [Creative Destruction](https://fiplanpartners.com/creative-destruction/) - On this week’s episode of Educational Insights, Trey Booth talks through why innovation can be disruptive, but it's also a long-term engine for job creation. While new technologies can feel threatening in the moment, history shows they consistently spark new industries, new opportunities, and greater economic growth than they displace. Tune in to learn how
- [How About Those Credit Cards?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-about-those-credit-cards/) - Credit Cards Flash a Warning Recent data highlights potential strain within the consumer sector. Three of the eight leading economic indicators we monitor are signaling concern, and one area drawing particular attention is credit card delinquencies. The percentage of Americans delinquent by 90 days or more has surpassed 12 percent, a level not seen since
- [The Art of Effortless Travel: Insights from Classic Travel by Pam](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-art-of-effortless-travel-insights-from-classic-travel-by-pam/) - In our newest episode of Innovation Mavericks, Greg Powell sits down with Pam Smith, owner of Classic Travel by Pam, recently named Hoover’s Best Travel Agency and Best Travel Agent 2025. Pam shares how she turns travel planning into an art form, taking the stress out of every trip while delivering unforgettable, perfectly tailored experiences
- [These Checklists Don't Lie](https://fiplanpartners.com/these-checklists-dont-lie/) - Tracking Economic Health: The Recession Checklist With headlines focused on government shutdowns, slowing consumer spending, and questions about the direction of the economy, now is the perfect time to revisit our recession checklist, an essential tool we use weekly to evaluate the economy’s health. This checklist functions like a diagnostic report, monitoring key leading indicators
- [Discovering How to Lead Yourself in Order to Lead Others: Insights with John Bentley](https://fiplanpartners.com/discovering-how-to-lead-yourself-in-order-to-lead-others-insights-with-john-bentley/) - In this week's episode of Innovation Mavericks, Greg Powell sits down with John Bentley, founder of Power 2 Transform, to explore how true leadership begins with self-leadership. After 21 years in the Air Force and a powerful personal journey of renewal, John shares how discipline, accountability, and emotional awareness can unlock both personal and organizational
- [Profits and Tariffs: A Deeper Dive](https://fiplanpartners.com/profits-and-tariffs-a-deeper-dive/) - Corporate Profit Margins and Market Valuations In recent months, market valuations have drawn renewed attention as investors question whether current price levels are sustainable. A closer look, however, reveals that strong corporate profitability continues to support elevated valuations, particularly in the S&P 500, where profit margins remain near all-time highs. The technology sector now represents
- [Market Overvalued? Not so fast…](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-overvalued-not-so-fast/) - Understanding Market Valuations Recent surveys indicate that 91% of fund managers believe U.S. stocks are overvalued, while emerging markets are considered undervalued. Historically, market pullbacks often occur when investors are least expecting them, rather than when caution is high. Significant changes in market composition have contributed to elevated valuation multiples. Technology companies now represent approximately
- [October Markets: Trick or Treat?](https://fiplanpartners.com/october-markets-trick-or-treat/) - Momentum Carries into October September is typically known as a difficult month for equities, yet this year it defied that reputation. The broader market ended the month up 3.1%, supported by strong earnings momentum, a resilient economy, and renewed optimism around the Federal Reserve’s rate-cutting cycle. The ongoing surge in artificial intelligence investments also continues
- [The Triple Tax Advantage of an HSA](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-triple-tax-advantage-of-an-hsa/) - Did you know Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) allow contributions to bypass payroll, federal, and state taxes. Watch this week’s Educational Insights episode as Mark Hume outlines how HSAs work, who is eligible, and why they are sometimes referred to as offering a “triple tax advantage.” Watch to learn more. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President
- [Full House](https://fiplanpartners.com/full-house/) - Housing’s Key Role in the Economy Housing remains one of the most significant drivers of the U.S. economy, representing roughly 18% of GDP and more than one-third of consumer spending. Because of this outsized impact, it also serves as a critical indicator of economic activity and future trends. Recent Federal Reserve rate cuts have prompted
- [Introducing our New Marketing Manager](https://fiplanpartners.com/introducing-our-new-marketing-manager/) - We are thrilled to welcome Lexie Watts to the Fi Plan Partners team as our new Marketing Manager. In this episode of Team Strategies, she sits down with our President and CEO, Greg Powell, and our COO, Felicia Ludlum, to discuss her passion for using marketing to elevate the client experience and her vision amplifying
- [966 Days](https://fiplanpartners.com/966-days/) - Navigating Today’s Bull Market The current bull market, which began on October 12, 2022, has now run for 34 months, well below the historical average of 59 months for bull markets since 1928. Although it may feel extended, the data suggests it is still relatively young compared to past cycles and has not yet delivered
- [Hidden Tax of Market Volatility](https://fiplanpartners.com/hidden-tax-of-market-volatility/) - Market ups and downs don’t cancel each other out the way you might think. Watch this week’s Educational Insights episode as Trey Booth explains the “hidden tax” of volatility and why focusing on downside protection can make a major difference in your long-term returns. Watch to learn more. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment
- [Fed Meeting? Government Shutdown?](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-meeting-government-shutdown/) - The Federal Reserve’s Decision and Market Impact The Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet on September 16–17, with markets largely expecting a 25-basis-point rate cut. While the size of the cut may already be priced in, the real question is how markets will respond afterward. Two areas are especially important: Long-term interest rates: The Fed
- [Rates are the Story](https://fiplanpartners.com/rates-are-the-story/) - Falling Rates and Market Implications Recent jobs data came in weaker than expected, which pushed long-term interest rates lower. The 10-year Treasury yield dropped from around 4.3% to below 4.1%, a significant move that reflects market forces rather than direct Federal Reserve action. This decline is important because most businesses and households rely on long-term
- [Fed Comments, Market Response](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-comments-market-response/) - Fed Hints at Rate Cuts Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell made statements last Friday that strongly hinted at a potential interest rate cut in September. This would mark the first rate cut since December 18, 2024, when the Fed reduced rates by 25 basis points. If implemented, the September cut would come after a nine-month
- [Out-Earning Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/outearning-inflation/) - Labor Market Resilience Recent updates on inflation highlight important trends for consumers. While headline inflation remained relatively tame in July, the Producer Price Index (PPI) told a different story. The PPI for final demand, which measures average price changes received by domestic producers, showed that companies are increasingly passing cost increases along to consumers. Despite
- [Life Estates](https://fiplanpartners.com/life-estates/) - Blended families can present unique estate planning challenges, especially when it comes to housing. Watch this week’s Educational Insights episode as Mark Hume explains how a life estate strategy, triggered by a will, could help ensure a surviving spouse has housing security while preserving the inheritance for biological children. Watch to learn more. Mark
- [Outperforming Expectations](https://fiplanpartners.com/outperforming-expectations/) - Outperforming Expectations in a Volatile Market Market volatility remained a dominant theme last week as investors continued to process the ongoing news around tariffs. Despite these headwinds, one critical driver of equity markets, corporate earnings, has delivered far stronger results than anticipated. As the second-quarter reporting season nears its close, with roughly 70% of S&P
- [Decisions and Deadlines](https://fiplanpartners.com/decisions-and-deadlines/) - Insights on Tariffs and Market Movement Last week was a heavy one for markets. As we noted earlier, there was significant potential for volatility driven by macroeconomic data, and that’s exactly what unfolded. Between a lower-than-expected GDP print, a soft jobs report, and heightened geopolitical tension around trade, the result was increased market uncertainty. The
- [Charitable Giving Strategy](https://fiplanpartners.com/charitable-giving-strategy/) - A provision in current tax law allows individuals to make qualified charitable distributions directly from their IRAs before reaching their required minimum distribution age. Watch this week’s Educational Insights episode as Mark Hume breaks down how this strategy remained unchanged through recent legislation and how it may offer tax advantages. Watch to learn more.
- [Second Half and Earnings](https://fiplanpartners.com/second-half-and-earnings/) - Corporate Earnings: What to Watch and Why It Matters Earnings are always a major driver of the stock market, but this season carries even greater weight than usual. As economist Larry Kudlow famously said, “Earnings are the mother’s milk of stock market growth.” This earnings season is particularly important because of how much has changed
- [Charts You Need to See](https://fiplanpartners.com/charts-you-need-to-see/) - The Small Business Boost Recent legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has introduced significant tax incentives for small and medium-sized businesses, and these changes are already generating widespread interest. This is no surprise, as businesses with fewer than 500 employees make up more than 80% of total employment in the U.S. Specifically, companies with
- [How Soon We Forget](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-soon-we-forget/) - Consumer Confidence and Household Resilience This week brings several important economic indicators, and consumer confidence is the top among them. Despite headlines about tariffs and slowing savings yields, the consumer remains surprisingly strong. We hear from clients that bank savings account yields are declining, and that’s supported by the data: peak yields from money market
- [How Women are Impacting Wealth Transfer](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-women-are-impacting-wealth-transfer/) - As generational wealth shifts hands, new priorities and perspectives are rising to the forefront. Watch this week’s educational episode where Ashley Page breaks down how this transformation is influencing everything from charitable giving to long-term planning. Watch to learn more. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here
- [Retirement Plan Options](https://fiplanpartners.com/retirement-plan-options/) - Retirement plans aren’t one-size-fits-all and choosing the right one can make a big difference for your future. Watch this week’s educational episode where Ty Miller breaks down the key options, including some that many investors overlook. Watch to learn more. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan
- [Cautiously Optimistic](https://fiplanpartners.com/cautiously-optimistic/) - Pre-Election Today, we have a chart to help us talk about pre-election years compared to 2023. They say that history doesn't repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme, and it's remarkable how, on the chart, it shows that every pre-election year average has lined up to be symmetrical. There was a big difference in March
- [How Large is the US Debt?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-large-is-the-us-debt/) - Watch this week’s educational episode where Trey Booth unpacks a surprising perspective on America’s $50 trillion debt. You might be shocked at how small that number looks when you see what it’s up against. Watch to learn more. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners
- [Market Strength in July?](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-strength-in-july/) - From the Senate’s sweeping new tax bill to July’s historical market strength, this week’s vlog breaks down the key headlines worth watching. With rate cuts, housing shifts, and technical trends in play, now’s the time to stay informed. Watch the full episode to see what it all could mean for markets and the economy moving
- [Not Just a Bill](https://fiplanpartners.com/not-just-a-bill/) - This week on Investors’ Insights, we break down the newly passed legislation that’s making headlines, and the under-the-radar debt ceiling implications that could shake up liquidity and the markets. From hidden risks to potential market winners, now’s the time to understand what’s inside this thousand-page bill and what it could mean moving forward. Watch the
- [Wills and Beneficiaries](https://fiplanpartners.com/wills-and-beneficiaries/) - In this educational episode, Jason Hatley breaks down why matching your will and account beneficiaries is more than just a formality, it’s key to avoiding delays, confusion, or complications for your loved ones. Watch to learn how a few simple updates can help ensure your legacy is protected and your final wishes are carried out
- [Taxes, Oil, and Technicals](https://fiplanpartners.com/taxes-oil-and-technicals/) - In this episode of Investors’ Insights, we break down the key forces shaping the markets: tax reform, oil prices, and technical signals. With the Senate’s new tax bill diverging sharply from the House version, we explore its potential impact on both markets and personal finances. We also examine how rising oil prices may benefit producers
- [Mid-Year Outlook](https://fiplanpartners.com/mid-year-outlook/) - In this episode, Adam Vansant and Sonja McGittigan break down smart, proactive strategies to get ahead of key year-end planning items like RMDs, IRA contributions, and more. They also highlight the importance of keeping your beneficiaries and accounts up to date. Learn how taking small steps now can simplify things later and discover the tools
- [Facts Not Emotions](https://fiplanpartners.com/facts-not-emotions/) - This week on Investors’ Insights, we cut through the noise with facts, not emotions, on market reactions to geopolitical tensions, historical data, and the Fed’s latest moves. Tune in for timely insights on how these developments could shape markets and the economy in the second half of 2025. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO
- [Democratized Family Office®](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-unique-approach-2/) - Our Unique Approach At Fi Plan Partners, we offer a wide range of services to our clients. We use a Democratized Family Office® approach which makes the process seamless and more comfortable. It is important for us to provide you with the most personalized advice and services, customizing our personal communications and technology to meet your
- [The Importance of an Umbrella Policy](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-importance-of-umbrella-policies/) - In this episode, Mark Hume provides valuable insights on the significance of umbrella policies and how they can be essential in protecting your assets. He gives real-life examples of situations where an umbrella policy could have made all the difference in protecting individuals and families from financial ruin. Whether it's a car accident or a
- [Behind The Curtain](https://fiplanpartners.com/behind-the-curtain/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team pulls back the curtain on market momentum, revealing why the data paints a more optimistic picture than the headlines suggest. Greg Powell and Bobby Norman break down key profit trends, surprising economic signals, and what they could mean for the months ahead. Watch now to learn more about today’s
- [Selling a Business: External Options](https://fiplanpartners.com/selling-a-business-external-options/) - In this episode of Educational Insights, Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®, and Robert Moody, CFP®, CEPA®, explore external exit strategies for business owners, including private equity, strategic buyers, open market sales, and more. Learn how to navigate these complex options to maximize your business's value when selling outside the family or team. Bobby Norman
- [Better Than Expected](https://fiplanpartners.com/better-than-expected/) - In this week’s episode, The Portfolio Team reveals a surprising $225 billion stimulus flowing to small businesses and breaks down how strong earnings, and growing tariff uncertainty, are shaping the market outlook. Don’t miss this timely and insightful conversation. Watch to learn more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell
- [Selling a Business: Internal Options](https://fiplanpartners.com/selling-a-business-internal-options/) - In this episode of Educational Insights, Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®, and Robert Moody, CFP®, CEPA®, dive into key internal exit options for business owners, from intergenerational transfers to selling to employees. Tune in to learn the pros, cons, and strategies to ensure your business's successful transition when the time comes. Bobby Norman, CFP®,
- [Confidence Building?](https://fiplanpartners.com/confidence-building/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team unpacks the $300 billion shift in U.S.-China trade talks, its impact on market momentum, and key updates on the new tax bill. Tune in for insights on whether this rally has staying power, and what investors should be watching next. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant
- [Hot off the Press](https://fiplanpartners.com/hot-off-the-press/) - In this episode of Investors’ Insights, the Portfolio Team breaks down the latest developments from the U.S. and China trade talks and what the 90-day tariff reprieve could mean for the markets. They also cover key updates from the newly proposed tax bill, highlighting potential changes that could impact individuals, small businesses, and investors alike.
- [Market Resistance](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-resistance/) - The market can’t ignore the signals the Fed is sending, and we’re unpacking what the data really means. In this episode of Investors’ Insights, our Portfolio Team breaks down key technical indicators, interest rate expectations, and why GDP headlines may not tell the whole story. Watch or listen to understand the signals behind the market
- [Understanding Bonds](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-bonds/) - In this educational episode, Ty Miller explains what bonds are, how they are rated, and how they can serve as a strategic asset in certain portfolios. Watch the full episode to learn how bonds fit into a portfolio in today’s markets. Ty Miller, AIF® Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ty Miller here Fi
- [It's All Relative](https://fiplanpartners.com/its-all-relative/) - From global tariffs to U.S. corporate earnings, our Portfolio Team breaks down the key market forces they’re tracking and explains how history may be repeating itself. Watch this episode to see how they’re connecting the dots and preparing for what’s ahead. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman,
- [Numbers Behind the Noise](https://fiplanpartners.com/numbers-behind-the-noise/) - The tax deadline brought more than just returns—it triggered a major shift in liquidity that could ripple through the markets. In this week’s episode of Investors' Insights, the Portfolio Team unpacks the surprising implications for stocks, interest rates, future government spending, and more. Watch to learn how tax receipts, valuations, and capital expenditures are shaping
- [Recession Checklist](https://fiplanpartners.com/recession-checklist/) - Last week was one of the most volatile for markets in years, but we’ve got some encouraging news on inflation and valuable insights from our recession checklist. Don’t miss this breakdown from our Portfolio Team to better understand what’s really happening behind the headlines. Watch this episode to see the data and hear what they
- [What is GDP?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-gdp-2/) - The term Gross Domestic Product (GDP) frequently appears in our vlogs and in news reports. In this educational episode, Ty Miller provides an in-depth explanation of what GDP represents and explores its crucial role in the economy. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is
- [Don't Panic](https://fiplanpartners.com/dont-panic/) - In this week’s episode, the Portfolio Team breaks down the chaos and uncertainty in today’s market, offering valuable insights on navigating the turbulence. Watch to hear about historical trends, tariffs, and how to stay calm amidst the noise. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®,
- [Ownership, Buybacks, and Trade](https://fiplanpartners.com/ownership-buybacks-and-trade/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team does a deep dive into the crucial topics of stock ownership, buybacks, and the impact of upcoming trade tariffs—providing valuable insights into how these factors could influence the economy and markets moving forward. Watch to stay ahead of the curve on these key issues and more. Greg Powell,
- [Talking Tarrifs](https://fiplanpartners.com/talking-tarrifs/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team explores the upcoming tariff changes and their potential effects on industries like pharmaceuticals, autos, and more. Watch the full episode to gain insights into how these tariffs could shape the future of the markets and economy. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here
- [Buried in the News](https://fiplanpartners.com/buried-in-the-news/) - Markets are seeing some volatility, but the key insights behind the headlines might surprise you. Watch this episode to hear our Portfolio Team discuss how inflation, market corrections, and policy uncertainty could shape the future of the economy and markets. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman,
- [The Economic Impact of Energy Costs](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-economic-impact-of-energy-costs/) - In this educational episode, Ashley Page explores the impact of declining energy costs on both small businesses and large industries in the U.S. Watch the full episode to discover how this shift could affect the economy and more. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners
- [Building Your Child’s Credit History Early](https://fiplanpartners.com/building-your-childs-credit-history-early/) - Did you know you can start building your child’s credit history before they even turn 18? Watch to learn how an early credit boost can set them up for financial success later in life. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm
- [Stay Focused](https://fiplanpartners.com/stay-focused/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team breaks down key data trends to help you navigate the current economic landscape amidst volatility and headlines. From tax refunds boosting consumer spending to a deeper dive into GDP and employment shifts, they explore critical factors driving market momentum. Watch to learn about these market-moving topics and more!
- [Expectations](https://fiplanpartners.com/expectations/) - Join us for this week’s episode of Investors’ Insights, where the Portfolio Team explores market volatility, economic trends, and expectations for 2025. Watch as they review the key data points shaping the economic landscape ahead. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director
- [America’s Natural Gas Advantage](https://fiplanpartners.com/americas-natural-gas-advantage/) - Discover how America's natural gas advantage is shaping global energy markets and what it could mean for your everyday expenses. Watch our latest episode with Trey Booth to learn about the balance between cost, export, and the potential impact on your electric bill. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey
- [Government Shutdown?](https://fiplanpartners.com/government-shutdown/) - A potential government shutdown is on the horizon, but how could it impact the markets? In our latest episode, the Portfolio Team breaks down the situation, offering valuable insights on the potential effects and what to expect moving forward. Watch now to learn more about this and other important topics. Greg Powell, CIMA®
- [Tax Time Insights](https://fiplanpartners.com/tax-time-insights/) - Join Adam Vansant and Sonja McGittigan as they review tax deadlines, how to quickly access your tax forms, and tips for making sure your 2024 IRA contributions are in before Tax Day. Watch now for simple steps to get your taxes in order and make the most of this year’s filing process! Adam Vansant,
- [Celebrating 20 Years of Fi Plan Partners](https://fiplanpartners.com/celebrating-20-years-of-fi-plan-partners/) - Join us as we celebrate 20 incredible years of Fi Plan Partners! From day one, Greg Powell built our firm on the foundation of making a real difference in people’s lives. Hear from our team as they share their passion, dedication, and the values that have shaped two decades of success. Watch and experience the
- [Headwinds vs. Tailwinds](https://fiplanpartners.com/headwinds-vs-tailwinds/) - Tune into this week’s episode as our Portfolio Team explores inflation, consumer spending, and business confidence, and how these factors could impact the market in 2025. Watch to learn about the possible challenges and opportunities ahead. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®
- [It's a H.I.T.](https://fiplanpartners.com/its-a-h-i-t/) - This week, we’re diving into critical topics that are top of mind for many—housing, inflation, and technicals. Join the Portfolio Team as they discuss how rising mortgage rates are impacting housing affordability, the latest inflation trends, key technical levels in the market, and more. Watch this episode to gain valuable insights you don’t want to
- [Slippery Slope](https://fiplanpartners.com/slippery-slope/) - Join the Portfolio Team for today’s episode as they dive deep into the slippery slope of tariffs. Hear Trey Booth and Ty Miller discuss the latest market impacts, how tariffs are affecting the economy, and what’s really happening behind the scenes. Watch to gain valuable insights and learn what these trends could mean for the
- [AI Influence vs. Market Breadth](https://fiplanpartners.com/ai-influence-vs-market-breadth/) - In this week's episode of Investors' Insights, the Portfolio Team dives into the impact of AI developments and market breadth, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in the current economic landscape. Trey and Bobby explore how recent news from China is influencing market sentiment, while also celebrating positive signs of broader market participation beyond the tech
- [Topics for a Historical Day](https://fiplanpartners.com/topics-for-a-historical-day/) - From the impact of Fed rate hikes and rising oil prices to the latest housing market trends and earnings projections, our Portfolio Team is diving deep into the key topics shaping the economy in 2025. Tune in, on this historical day, as they break down the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Greg
- [The Risk of Relying on Average Returns to Make Financial Decisions](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-risk-of-relying-on-average-returns-to-make-financial-decisions/) - In this educational episode, Trey Booth discusses the hidden risks of using average returns to make financial decisions. He illustrates how relying solely on averages can be misleading, using a real-world scenario that highlights the impact of market cycles on retirement planning. Watch to learn how to avoid these common risks. Trey Booth, CFA®,
- [Rates, Rates, Rates](https://fiplanpartners.com/rates-rates-rates/) - Tune in to this week's episode as the Portfolio Team dives into the impact of rising interest rates, the debt ceiling, and key technical indicators shaping the market in 2025. Watch to gain valuable insights and learn what these trends could mean for the markets, economy, and more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and
- [Headlines for 2025](https://fiplanpartners.com/headlines-for-2025/) - Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, we're diving into the biggest topics shaping the year ahead. Watch as our Portfolio Team explores everything from the rise of artificial intelligence to the growing challenges of national debt—and much more. Stay tuned for insights from the Fi Plan Partners team on how these trends could
- [Navigating Elder Care](https://fiplanpartners.com/navigating-elder-care/) - Caring for aging parents can be emotionally and financially challenging, but with the right planning, you can make the process easier. Watch this insightful video with Bobby Norman and Mark Hume to learn the essential documents every family should have in place and how proactive financial planning can help you and your loved ones navigate
- [Gifting a Financial Plan](https://fiplanpartners.com/gifting-a-financial-plan/) - Give the gift of financial security to your loved ones this holiday season with a personalized Financial Blueprint from Fi Plan Partners. From retirement and education planning to budgeting and legacy goals, a Financial Blueprint can be a thoughtful, lasting gift that helps set the foundation for a prosperous future. Click the link below to
- [Santa Claus Rally?](https://fiplanpartners.com/santa-claus-rally-2/) - In this week's episode, the Portfolio Team discusses the Federal Reserve's upcoming rate cut and its potential to fuel a Santa Claus rally amid shifting inflation trends. They also explore the growth of market breadth, with small and mid-cap stocks leading the charge. Watch to find out what all of this means as we head
- [The Four Intangible Capitals](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-four-intangible-capitals/) - Watch this episode to learn about the four intangible capitals and how they can significantly increase the value of your business. Bobby Norman and Robert Moody, both Certified Exit Planning Advisors, break down how each capital impacts enterprise value and offer insights to help business owners grow and prepare for a successful sale. Bobby
- [It's Not a Guessing Game](https://fiplanpartners.com/its-not-a-guessing-game/) - Join us for the latest episode of Investor Insights where our Portfolio Team dives into the data driving today’s markets and the strategies shaping tomorrow’s decisions. Hear their insights on valuations, market trends, global events, and more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®
- [Understanding Your Credit Score](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-your-credit-score/) - In this educational episode, Ty Miller explains the key factors that make up your credit score. Watch as he shares practical tips for improvement and highlights the importance of credit freezes as an extra layer of security to protect against identity theft and unauthorized credit activity. Watch to learn more—this is an episode you don’t
- [December to Remember?](https://fiplanpartners.com/december-to-remember/) - In this week's episode, the Portfolio Team discusses key market trends heading into the final weeks of 2024, focusing on seasonality, supply chain improvements, and housing market recovery. They also highlight the impact of Federal Reserve rate cuts and low inflation, which could set the stage for a strong finish to the year. Watch to
- [The Importance of Saving Early](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-importance-of-saving-early/) - In this special educational episode, Bobby Norman discusses the critical importance of saving early for retirement and how starting sooner can significantly impact your financial future. This is a great topic to share with your kids and grandkids during the holidays. If you’d like help getting started, reach out to our team at Fi Plan
- [Home for the Holidays](https://fiplanpartners.com/home-for-the-holidays/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team discusses the latest updates on Thanksgiving costs, including a welcome decrease in the price of dinner for 10. They also dive into the current housing market, highlighting the impact of rising mortgage rates and the importance of staying informed during the holiday season. Watch to learn about these topics
- [Year-End Deadlines](https://fiplanpartners.com/year-end-deadlines-3/) - Join us for this week's episode, where the Operations Team, along with Bobby Norman, reviews important year-end deadlines, including required minimum distributions (RMDs), IRA contributions, and qualified charitable distributions. Adam and Sonja share key information to help ensure all tasks are completed on time and offer tips for simplifying the process for our clients. Watch
- [Rates, Housing, and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/rates-housing-and-markets/) - In this week's episode, the Portfolio Team discusses the current state of interest rates, the housing market, and their broader impact on the economy. They provide insights into the rising mortgage rates, the Federal Reserve's actions, and emerging trends in industrial production, offering valuable updates heading into 2025. Watch to learn about these topics and
- [Elections, Rates, and Stocks](https://fiplanpartners.com/elections-rates-and-stocks/) - In this week's episode, the Portfolio Team discusses the impact of recent elections, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and historical market trends on investment strategy. They highlight how economic fundamentals and corporate earnings are more influential on long-term market performance than political shifts, offering insights on market resilience and strategies amid changing interest rates and post-election
- [The Decisions for the Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-decisions-for-the-week/) - Watch this episode to hear the Portfolio Team discuss the decisions shaping the market this week, particularly amid the upcoming elections and a pivotal Federal Reserve meeting. They delve into historical trends for the S&P 500 during November, highlighting its strong performance despite potential volatility. Watch to learn about these topics and more. Greg
- [What is a 1031 Exchange?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-a-1031-exchange/) - Watch this educational episode to hear Robert Moody discuss 1031 exchanges and ways they can be beneficial. Learn how to defer capital gains taxes when selling and buying like-kind properties, as well as important time limits to keep in mind. Robert Moody, CFP®, CEPA® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Robert Moody here Fi
- [Eight Days Out](https://fiplanpartners.com/eight-days-out/) - Watch this episode to hear the Portfolio Team discuss the implications of the upcoming election on market performance. They delve into the historical data surrounding corporate earnings and provide insights on how different election outcomes have influenced market trends. Watch to stay informed as we keep you updated on these market-moving topics and more.
- [Client Correspondence and Account View 2.0](https://fiplanpartners.com/client-correspondence-and-account-view-2-0/) - Watch this episode to hear Adam Vansant discuss the ins and outs of Client Correspondence and Account View 2.0. He’ll cover everything you need to know about client letters, managing your account information, how to maximize the LPL AccountView app, and more. Don’t miss these valuable insights designed to simplify your experience. Adam Vansant,
- [Pause or Refresh?](https://fiplanpartners.com/pause-or-refresh/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team discusses pressing concerns surrounding global geopolitics and its effects on the markets. We share insights on historical market volatility during similar events, analyze the current state of inflation, and review recent data indicating a slowdown in consumer and business activities. Watch to stay informed as we keep you updated
- [Understanding SIPC Asset Protection](https://fiplanpartners.com/asset-protection/) - In this educational episode, Trey Booth, Chief Investment Officer at Fi Plan Partners, explains the key differences between the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). While both organizations serve to protect assets, the FDIC covers bank deposits in case of bank failure, while the SIPC covers securities and cash
- [What The Market Is Telling Us](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-the-market-is-telling-us/) - Election and Markets With the election just a few weeks away, we’re seeing a lot of polls come out. And naturally, they’re going to show different things, so it’s hard to know which ones to trust. Here, we don’t lean politically one way or another. We believe that certain sectors do better under different political
- [Innovation Mavericks: Andy J. McFetridge, Head of Strategic Relationships and Investment Specialists, John Hancock Investment Management](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-andy-j-mcfetridge-head-of-strategic-relationships-and-investment-specialists-john-hancock-investment-management/) - In this episode, Greg Powell sits down with Andy McFetridge to explore the journey of business owners navigating their visions for the future—whether selling or passing on their legacy. They discuss the current landscape of the privately held business market in the U.S., the unique challenges owners face today, and the four “intangible capitals” that
- [Jobs Earned, Jobs Saved](https://fiplanpartners.com/jobs-earned-jobs-saved/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team explores the crucial role jobs play in shaping key economic indicators. They discuss the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions and their ripple effects on the job market, as well as the recent port strike deal and its implications for the economy. Join us as they unpack these important topics
- [Exploring Stock Market Indexes](https://fiplanpartners.com/stock-indexes-explained/) - In this educational episode, Trey Booth and Ty Miller provide a comprehensive guide to understanding the different stock market indexes. They delve into the nuances of the indexes, discussing the differences between them and how they are calculated. By the end of the episode, listeners will have a clear understanding of the major indexes, including
- [Volatility, China, and Jobs](https://fiplanpartners.com/volatility-china-and-jobs/) - Historically marked by volatility during election years, October brings many questions to the forefront. In this week’s episode, the Portfolio Team delves into historical data, discussing the potential for a market bottom and a post-election rally. They also analyze how U.S. markets could be affected by the recent Chinese market stimulus, as well as the
- [Fed Cut, Now What?](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-cut-now-what/) - Last week, the Federal Reserve made the decision to cut interest rates, which will impact the economy and markets. In this episode, the Portfolio Team reviews the historical effects of rate cuts and discusses what the future may hold for housing, inflation, corporate earnings, and more. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director
- [Maximizing Value in a Buy-Sell Agreement](https://fiplanpartners.com/maximizing-value-in-a-buy-sell-agreement/) - Don’t miss this week’s episode featuring Mark Hume as he explores the benefits of buy-sell agreements for businesses. Tune in to discover how these agreements can strengthen your company when implemented correctly. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham,
- [The Cost of Buying and Selling Real Estate](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-cost-of-buying-and-selling-real-estate/) - Join us as Ashley Page dives into the history of personal real estate transaction costs in the United States. Discover how and why these costs are becoming more transparent and affordable. Watch the full episode to gain valuable insights on how these changes will impact housing prices and the economy moving forward. Ashley Page,
- [Fed on the Move](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-on-the-move/) - Join our Portfolio Team as they explore the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision. Watch as they break down the historical trends of rate cuts and explain how these changes could impact markets and the overall economic landscape. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF®
- [Earnings, The Fed, and Deficit](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-the-fed-and-deficit/) - In this week’s episode, the Portfolio Team analyzes the Federal Reserve's focus on jobs and inflation, market volatility, and corporate America’s performance. They also discuss the US budget deficit, future data reports, and their implications for the economy and market. Watch to learn about these topics and more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and
- [Jobs Lost, Housing Found](https://fiplanpartners.com/jobs-lost-housing-found/) - Join us this week as our dedicated Portfolio Team delves into the latest economic data, providing you with valuable insights on the US job market, housing trends, and broader economic indicators. Watch to learn about these market-moving topics and more. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Trey
- [Explaining the Market’s Fear Gauge](https://fiplanpartners.com/explaining-the-markets-fear-gauge/) - We invite you to join Ty Miller as he delves into the intricacies of the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), commonly known as the market's fear gauge. In this episode, Ty provides insights into how the Portfolio Team monitors this real-time index and assesses its role in measuring market volatility. Watch the full episode to learn
- [Innovation Mavericks: Jeff Brabant, Vice President, Federal Government Relations- NFIB](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-jeff-brabant-vice-president-federal-government-relations-nfib/) - Join us for an in-depth discussion with two leading voices in small business advocacy: Greg Powell, President and CEO of Fi Plan Partners, and Jeff Brabant, Vice President of Government Relations at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). In this must-watch episode, Greg and Jeff delve into the critical ways NFIB supports small business
- [Unnecessary Fear](https://fiplanpartners.com/unnecessary-fear/) - Watch this week’s episode to gain insights from the Portfolio Team as they analyze the recent market volatility and the ongoing media discussions. Tune in to review the team's data analysis on interest rates, jobs, and more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®
- [Is This Normal?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-this-normal/) - Join us for our latest episode, in which the Portfolio Team provides valuable insights into the recent market volatility. Discover how current economic news is shaping the markets and gain a historical perspective on these trends. Click the link below to stay informed and enhance your understanding of today’s market dynamics. Bobby Norman, CFP®,
- [Target Date Funds](https://fiplanpartners.com/target-date-funds/) - In this week's educational episode, Bobby Norman delves into target date funds available in workplace retirement plans. He outlines what these funds are, highlights their advantages, and discusses how they can be one of the tools used to simplify the process of achieving retirement goals for investors. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing
- [Pullback or Bubble?](https://fiplanpartners.com/pullback-or-bubble/) - Watch this episode in which the Portfolio Team delves into the intricacies of recent market volatility, offering insights on market pullbacks, interest rates, and other key economic indicators. Watch the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of navigating current market and economic conditions. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg
- [Changes Coming?](https://fiplanpartners.com/changes-coming/) - We are excited to bring you this week's episode, which is filled with essential information. This will be a very important week as we receive updates from the Federal Reserve on interest rates, details regarding potential changes from the Treasury, market pullbacks, and more. Stay informed by tuning in to gain valuable insights into these
- [Estate Planning for Blended Families](https://fiplanpartners.com/estate-planning-for-blended-families/) - Watch this week’s episode to hear Mark Hume, CFP®, provide tips and guidance on navigating the complex process of estate planning for blended families. Don't pass up the opportunity to learn ways you can manage your estate effectively. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is
- [No Politics, Market Insights](https://fiplanpartners.com/no-politics-market-insights/) - Join us in this week’s episode as the Portfolio Team addresses recent events in the news and what this means for both current markets and insight on markets moving forward. With the perception of uncertainty, the team provides some very beneficial context and data that may surprise some. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth
- [Business Owner Readiness](https://fiplanpartners.com/business-owner-readiness/) - Gain a wealth of knowledge from our latest educational episode where Bobby Norman and Robert Moody delve into the crucial aspects of Business Owner readiness. Gain valuable insights on ensuring your business is well-prepared for a potential sale, both from a personal and professional standpoint. Discover tips on strategizing your exit plan for a successful
- [Bring on Earnings](https://fiplanpartners.com/bring-on-earnings/) - In the current market climate that is filled with uncertainty surrounding when the Fed will cut rates and the upcoming election, the significance of positive corporate earnings cannot be overstated, particularly given the current market valuations. To delve deeper into this topic and more, make sure to watch this week's Investor's Insights episode featuring discussions
- [Business Attractiveness](https://fiplanpartners.com/business-attractiveness/) - We are excited to invite you to join us in this week's educational episode, where Bobby Norman and Robert Moody delve into the crucial topic of buyer preferences in the business purchase process. Gain valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses that buyers consider when seeking to acquire a new business. Don't miss out on
- [AI-EI-O](https://fiplanpartners.com/ai-ei-o/) - Step into the world of Artificial Intelligence, energy, and infrastructure with this week’s episode. Watch as the Portfolio Team explores how these topics could revolutionize the economy and markets. Gain valuable insights into the stock market's history and discover what opportunities could lie ahead. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg
- [Fireworks in the Second Half?](https://fiplanpartners.com/fireworks-in-the-second-half/) - As we enter the second half of the year, the stock market is showing positive momentum, but concerns loom regarding elevated valuations and overbought conditions that could lead to volatility. In this episode, the Portfolio Team delves into the implications of these factors and provides insights on how the market might fare based on historical
- [Innovation Mavericks: Mitch York, Certified EOS Implementer®](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-mitch-york-certified-eos-implementer-2/) - Join Greg Powell, President and CEO of Fi Plan Partners, and Mitch York, EOS Implementer® in an engaging discussion on leveraging the Entrepreneurial Operating System® to propel your business to new heights. Gain invaluable insights on identifying and swiftly resolving challenges, anxieties, and obstacles, while crafting a clear roadmap for future success. Don't miss out
- [Client Concerns](https://fiplanpartners.com/client-concerns/) - Dive into this week's episode as the Portfolio Team addresses pressing client questions on the implications of artificial intelligence and concerns about the budget deficit. Gain valuable insights and stay informed on the latest developments shaping markets and the economy. Click the link below to join us for an enlightening discussion. Greg Powell, CIMA®
- [Coronavirus - Navigating Through The Panic](https://fiplanpartners.com/coronavirus-navigating-through-the-panic/) - History Our president and CEO, Greg Powell has been in the business for 39 years. Over that time period, a lot has happened in the markets to include the Iran hostage crisis in 1981 where banks closed and mortgage rates were 19%. In 1987, the stock market crashed. In 1990-1991, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.
- [Ten, Ten, 2020](https://fiplanpartners.com/ten-ten-2020/) - Join us in this week's episode as the Portfolio Team delves into key insights for navigating the summer months, including market concentration driven by the top ten stocks of the S&P 500, 10-year treasury yields, inflation trends, and more. Watch to gain valuable knowledge and stay informed. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO
- [Investment Objective and Time Horizon](https://fiplanpartners.com/investment-objective-and-time-horizon/) -  What is does investment objective and time horizon mean and how does it relate to your portfolio and Financial Blueprint? Adam Vansant answers these questions in this week’s educational episode. Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™ Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Adam Vansant here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL,
- [Year-End Deadlines](https://fiplanpartners.com/year-end-deadlines-2/) - With the end of the year fast approaching, it's vital to stay on top of important financial tasks like taking your RMD, charitable donations, IRA contributions, and more. In this week's episode, the Operations Team at Fi Plan Partners shares valuable insights and tips to help you ensure these time-sensitive items are taken care of
- [Better Richer Fuller: Owning a Business](https://fiplanpartners.com/better-richer-fuller-owning-a-business/) - Are you a Business Owner feeling anxious about your financial future? Let Greg Powell's book, Better Richer Fuller, be your guide. In this week's episode, Greg emphasizes the importance of planning for your financial future and shares insights on how his book can help you develop a strategy to achieve your goals. Don't let financial
- [The Current Status of the Federal Reserve and Interest Rates](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-current-status-of-the-federal-reserve-and-interest-rates/) - 11/14/11: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four items impacting markets this coming week: It’s going to be harder to grow the Italian economy than you think. Our portfolio team was discussing a very interesting nuance about the Italian corporate
- [We're Not the Only Country with a S&P Negative Outlook](https://fiplanpartners.com/were-not-the-only-country-with-a-sp-negative-outlook/) - 4/19/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened higher this morning on a light day for economic and market news. The higher open comes despite an earnings miss from a
- [Just How Far Along Are We on the Time-line of Economic Recovery?](https://fiplanpartners.com/just-how-far-along-are-we-on-the-time-line-of-economic-recovery/) - 4/07/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened near unchanged this morning despite better-than-expected same-store sales results from retailers and a dip in weekly jobless claims. Our markets are following the lead of markets overseas in doing very little, despite Portugal’s bailout request and the ECB’s interest rate hike. Asian trading was also lackluster, with the Nikkei inching slightly higher and the Hang Seng flat. On the commodities front, U.S. crude inched higher to over $109, copper is solidly higher on global growth optimism, and key agricultural commodities are higher on domestic weather concerns.
- [Fed Up, Stock Supply Down](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-up-stock-supply-down/) - Stay informed with this week’s episode as the Federal Reserve prepares to make a significant announcement regarding inflation and interest rates. Learn what the Portfolio Team has to say as they analyze the data and provide insights into the Fed's potential decision along with other key economic indicators. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®
- [Understanding SBA Loans](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-sba-loans/) - Dive into this week's episode where Ashley Page provides a comprehensive breakdown of the various types of SBA loans available and offers valuable insights on the application process. Whether you're a small business owner looking to secure funding or simply interested in learning more about financial opportunities, this episode is packed with essential information to
- [Election and The Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/election-and-the-economy/) - Join the Portfolio Team as they delve into discussions about the largest election in history and the essential reports they monitor to stay abreast of economic trends. Gain valuable insights on how these significant topics could potentially influence the markets and economy by clicking the link below to watch the full episode. Bobby Norman,
- [Forming an Exit Strategy](https://fiplanpartners.com/forming-an-exit-strategy/) - As a business owner, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your exit options and to have a dedicated team to support you in making those critical decisions. In this insightful episode, Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® and Robert L. Moody III, CFP®, CEPA®, emphasize the significance of creating an exit plan well in
- [It Matters](https://fiplanpartners.com/it-matters/) - Stay ahead by tuning in to the latest episode where the Portfolio Team delves into crucial data points that will shape the upcoming months. Gain valuable insights on rates, inflation, job trends, and more. Click the link below to watch the full episode. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell
- [How Can a CEPA Help You?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-can-a-cepa-help-you/) - In this week's episode, Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® and Robert L. Moody III, CFP®, CEPA®, shed light on the importance of partnering with a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. As a business owner, planning for the future of your business is crucial, and a CEPA® can help you navigate the complex process of exiting your
- [Fed Dilemma](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-dilemma/) - Watch this episode where the Portfolio Team delves into the lasting effects of the pandemic on the economy and market. Hear about the latest economic data reports and gain insights on the Federal Reserve's actions to mitigate the impact. Watch the full episode to learn more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant
- [Topics That Business Owners Overlook](https://fiplanpartners.com/topics-that-business-owners-overlook/) - Join Greg Powell and the Financial Planning team at Fi Plan Partners in this week's episode as they delve into essential topics often overlooked by Business Owners. Gain valuable insights on selling your business, buy-sell agreements, tax implications, and more. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about how you can work to
- [Market Returns and Fed Policy](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-returns-and-fed-policy/) - Dive into this week's episode as the Portfolio Team tackles recent client inquiries on market trends, investment returns, interest rates, and more. Gain valuable insights on how the team strategizes to navigate these crucial topics moving forward. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®,
- [Qualified Charitable Distributions](https://fiplanpartners.com/qualified-charitable-distributions/) - In this week's episode, Jason Hatley provides a comprehensive overview of Qualified Charitable Distributions. QCDs are a tax-efficient way for individuals who are 70 ½ years or older to donate to charity directly from their IRA. By making a QCD, individuals can satisfy their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) while also reducing their taxable income. Watch
- [Dividends and Liquidity Matter](https://fiplanpartners.com/dividends-and-liquidity-matter/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team talks about the importance of dividends and how they have historically helped offset inflation. Watch to learn more about investment strategies, consumer income, and more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email
- [Taking the Good With the Bad](https://fiplanpartners.com/taking-the-good-with-the-bad/) - The Portfolio Team at Fi Plan Partners constantly analyzes market trends, both positive and negative. Watch this week’s episode to hear them discuss market drawdowns, concentration risks, and more. Click the link below to hear what they have to say. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Ty
- [Corporate America's Balance Sheet Versus The US Treasury](https://fiplanpartners.com/corporate-americas-balance-sheet-versus-the-us-treasury/) - Tune in for a detailed discussion with Trey Booth as he delves into the details behind the rise in US debt, as well as the strength of Corporate America's Balance Sheet and the US Treasury. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent
- [Masters and the Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/masters-and-the-markets/) - Join the Portfolio Team in this week’s vlog as they delve into a discussion on inflation and April seasonality, shedding light on how these factors could potentially influence the markets as we head into the summer months. Watch the full episode to learn more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg
- [Bull Market Top?](https://fiplanpartners.com/bull-market-top/) - Dive into the topic of market volatility with our Portfolio Team in this week's episode. Gain insights into what the Portfolio Team looks at during market reactions and how they identify signs of a peaking bull market. Watch to learn about this topic and more. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant
- [Important Tax Reminders](https://fiplanpartners.com/important-tax-reminders/) - Stay ahead of the game this tax season with our latest educational episode featuring Adam Vansant, SVP of Operations and Advisory Services, and Sonja McGittigan, Operations Specialist. Gain valuable insights on retirement plan contribution updates, 1099s, and tips on simplifying data gathering for your CPA or Accountant. Watch this episode to learn more. Adam
- [Debt and Earnings on the Rise](https://fiplanpartners.com/debt-and-earnings-on-the-rise/) - Join us in this episode as the Portfolio Team delves into the intricacies of debt, GDP, earnings, and other crucial economic indicators. Gain valuable insights into how this data shapes the future of the US economy. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing
- [End of a Negative Era](https://fiplanpartners.com/end-of-a-negative-era/) - Join Trey Booth and Greg Powell in this engaging episode where they delve into the future of interest rates and other market-moving topics such as the US Treasury, debt, and more. Gain valuable insights and stay informed on the latest trends by watching the full episode above. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth
- [Commercial Real Estate Vacancies](https://fiplanpartners.com/commercial-real-estate-vacancies/) - Dive into the latest insights on the US commercial real estate market as Ashley Page sheds light on the significant 20% vacancy rate. Discover the underlying reasons for these vacancies and gain a deeper understanding of the market dynamics in this week's episode. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley
- [Higher Inflation vs. Higher Productivity](https://fiplanpartners.com/higher-inflation-vs-higher-productivity/) - The Portfolio Team invites you to join them for an insightful discussion on the inverted yield curve, which has historically led to recessions, as well as other important topics such as record productivity, the Fed, and inflation. Watch to learn about these important economic topics and more. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director
- [What is a Stock Split?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-a-stock-split/) - In this episode, Ty Miller provides a comprehensive overview of stock splits and reverse stock splits. He delves into the reasons why companies choose to do these splits and how they can impact investors. Tune in now to learn more. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners
- [Valuations and Expectations](https://fiplanpartners.com/valuations-and-expectations/) - Join the Portfolio Team as they discuss inflation, the consumer, and other factors impacting markets currently and what to expect moving forward. Watch the video to hear what they have to say. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email
- [Consumers, Cars, and Gasoline](https://fiplanpartners.com/consumers-cars-and-gasoline/) - Consumer Strength We've been enjoying a strong equity market overall, but as always, we are looking at our leading economic indicators. The strength of the consumer and robust consumer spending have been a key driver of the economy and equity markets in the last 12 months. As investment managers, we always look for cracks that
- [Inflation and P/E Ratio](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-and-pe/) - Inflation has been a hot topic in recent years, and for good reason. It can have a significant impact on the stock and bond markets. In this week's episode, Trey Booth breaks down the metrics of the price-to-earnings ratio and explains how it relates to inflation and markets. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment
- [Government Shenanigans](https://fiplanpartners.com/government-shenanigans/) - In this week’s episode, the Portfolio Team delves into the potential government shutdown and its impact on the economy. They also provide updates on inflation and discuss how election year worries could affect markets. Watch to hear what they have to say about these topics and more. # Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®
- [Nineteen Years of Celebration](https://fiplanpartners.com/nineteen-years-of-celebration/) - Here we are nearly two decades after the doors of Fi Plan Partners opened for the first time on February 18, 2005. Little did we know what the market would do over the next 19 years. In this week’s episode, the Portfolio Team takes a walk down memory lane, discussing historical markets and what their
- [Maximizing Employee Benefits](https://fiplanpartners.com/maximizing-employee-benefits/) - As an employee, you may be eligible for a range of benefits offered by your company. These benefits may include health insurance, 401(k) matching, HSAs, and more. However, it can be confusing to know whether you are making the most of these benefits or simply wasting your money. In this episode, Mark Hume shares valuable
- [Facts Over Emotion](https://fiplanpartners.com/facts-over-emotion/) - Geopolitical Events In a meeting last week, a client mentioned how they are worried about the conflict in the Middle East and with Russia and Ukraine and asked if they should reduce risk to stocks until the situation calms down. In this episode, we want to share our thoughts on that topic. There is a
- [Payouts and Rate Cuts](https://fiplanpartners.com/pay-outs-and-rate-cuts/) - Get ready for an insightful episode as the Portfolio Team discusses market performance, interest rates, and dividends. Watch the full episode and see what they have to say. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Ty
- [Exciting News and Introductions](https://fiplanpartners.com/exciting-news-and-introductions/) - We are thrilled to welcome Robert L. Moody III, CFP®, CEPA®, to our Financial Planning team at Fi Plan Partners. In this episode, he sits down with our President and CEO, Greg Powell, to discuss his passion for working with clients as they pursue a life that is Better, Richer, and Fuller. Robert brings a
- [Weather, Containers, and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/weather-containers-and-markets/) - Gas Prices and Interest Rates After the last Federal Reserve meeting in November, the market started pricing in six rate cuts based on the Fed's optimistic outlook on inflation. Since then, we've talked on these vlogs about how we don't believe that will likely occur. This will be the first time the Fed comes together
- [Will The US Dollar Remain The Reserve Currency?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-the-us-dollar-remain-the-reserve-currency/) - As the world's most widely used currency for international transactions, the US dollar has been the dominant reserve currency for decades. However, recent discussions have raised the possibility of the dollar losing its status as the world's reserve currency. In this episode, Trey Booth delves into the implications of such a shift and what it
- [Conflicts Near and Far](https://fiplanpartners.com/conflicts-near-and-far/) - Join us for a discussion with the Portfolio Team at Fi Plan Partners as they delve into the latest developments in the Middle East, the upcoming election, and more. They provide valuable insights into these critical areas, giving you a well-rounded view of the current economic landscape and how it impacts markets. Don't miss this
- [Reserved Optimism](https://fiplanpartners.com/reserved-optimism/) - The year has started off with choppy markets as the uncertainty of the Fed cutting interest rates continues to cause volatility. Tune in to watch this full episode to hear what the Portfolio Team at Fi Plan Partners has to say about this topic and more. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth
- [Beyond the Market Headlines](https://fiplanpartners.com/beyond-the-market-headlines/) - While the media may only be reporting on surface-level headlines, we like to provide our viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at what's really going on in the market. Tune in to watch this full episode and learn more about the topics you need to know about as we kick off the new year. Greg
- [Economic Indicators](https://fiplanpartners.com/economic-indicators/) - Join us for this week's episode where Ty Miller shares his insights on the different economic indicators that we monitor to gauge the health of the economy. Ty breaks down each indicator and explains how it affects businesses and consumers alike. Tune in to learn more. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant
- [Home Insurance](https://fiplanpartners.com/home-insurance/) - Home insurance costs have been on the rise in recent years. This trend of charging more for less coverage has become increasingly common with insurance companies. In this week's educational episode, Ashley Page delves into the reasons behind this phenomenon. Among the factors contributing to this trend are increased risks associated with weather-related events, a
- [Rate Cut Grinch](https://fiplanpartners.com/rate-cut-grinch/) - Join us for this week's episode where the Portfolio Team goes over the investors' wish list, providing insights and analysis on specific items, and explores the latest forecasts for interest rates in 2024. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth
- [Trends vs. Reality](https://fiplanpartners.com/trends-vs-reality/) - Jobs As we look forward to 2024, we also want to reflect on 2023. We came into this year with many economists calling for a recession and a significant slowdown in jobs. Those economists have been wrong, as the job market has stayed strong throughout the year. Last week, the jobs report showed that the
- [Finish The Job](https://fiplanpartners.com/finish-the-job/) - Waves of Inflation It was a great November for the stock and bond markets, as the threat and uncertainty of future rate hikes from the Fed have now turned into thoughts of rate cuts next year. While seeing market strength and breadth widen was great, we believe the market’s timeline for rate cuts next year
- [Deposits vs. Loans](https://fiplanpartners.com/deposits-vs-loans/) - Join the Portfolio Team as they dive into the recent housing data, interest rates, and historical data surrounding market performance in election years. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Ty Miller Associate Vice President
- [Thankful Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/thankful-markets/) - The Impact of Inflation on Thanksgiving Every year, we review this data, and it has been rough for the last few years. It's been a long time since we've been able to talk about consumer prices coming down. From 2020, the average consumer prices are up over 20%. However, what we're going to focus on
- [The Impact of Interest Rates on Corporate America](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-impact-of-interest-rates-on-corporate-america/) - Are higher interest rates helping or hurting Corporate America? Watch this week's educational episode to hear Trey Booth go over the details related to this topic. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team
- [Inflation High, Water Levels Low](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-high-water-levels-low/) - In this episode, the Portfolio Team goes over the data they look at on an ongoing basis to keep a pulse on the economy and the markets. Watch the full episode and hear what they have to say about interest rates, inflation, and other market-moving topics. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant
- [Market Momentum?](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-momentum-2/) - We are coming off a great week for markets, and in this episode, the Portfolio Team goes over the details behind the positivity and tells what this could mean going forward. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email
- [On Fed and Recession Watch](https://fiplanpartners.com/on-fed-and-recession-watch/) - We have an important week ahead as the Fed will be in the spotlight. In this week’s episode, the Portfolio Team gives an update on our recession watch checklist that clients have been asking about. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Ty Miller Associate Vice President
- [Exit Strategies for Your Business](https://fiplanpartners.com/exit-strategies-for-your-business/) - At Fi Plan Partners, we take great pride in working with business owners to help them build, grow, and sell their businesses. Our goal is to help business owners build valuable companies, have stronger personal financial plans, and align their personal goals. In this episode, you will hear from Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA®, Managing
- [Watching Spikes Carefully](https://fiplanpartners.com/watching-spikes-carefully/) - In this week's episode, the Portfolio Team delves into the impact of spiking interest rates, the historical relevance of pre-election years, and the potential effects of the upcoming GDP report on economic forecasts. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth
- [Earnings vs. Geopolitical Events](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-vs-geopolitical-events/) - Headwinds The market has a lot of headwinds and uncertainty right now with a conflict in Israel, questions about what the Federal Reserve will do, and a potential government shutdown next month. Still, one bright spot that is a key driver of equity markets is corporate earnings. Third quarter earnings season started strong last week,
- [Secure Act 2.0: Provisions Effective in 2025 and Beyond](https://fiplanpartners.com/secure-act-2-0-provisions-effective-in-2025-and-beyond/) - Join Jason Hatley for this week’s educational episode, where he reviews the latest updates from Secure Act 2.0 that will go into effect starting in 2025. He goes over the details of the new rules including the creation of a retirement savings lost and found database, new increased catch-up limits, and more. Watch this episode
- [Global Tensions](https://fiplanpartners.com/global-tensions/) - In the latest episode, the Portfolio Team dives into the ongoing issues in Israel and the potential impacts on the US markets. With tensions rising and uncertainty looming, our team provides valuable insights and analysis to keep our listeners informed. Additionally, they provide an update on the current state of the job market. Watch this
- [ETFs Vs. Mutual Funds](https://fiplanpartners.com/etfs-vs-mutual-funds/) - Have you ever wondered what distinguishes ETFs from mutual funds? Our latest educational episode has got you covered! Join Ty Miller in this week's educational episode as he breaks down the key differences between the two investment vehicles and how they can impact your portfolio. Watch the full episode to learn more. Ty
- [Rise Together](https://fiplanpartners.com/rise-together/) - Volatile September Coming into the month of September, we talked about how it's usually the most volatile month of the year, and history repeated itself as the S&P 500 was down over 5% for the month. One of the biggest drivers of the volatility in September was due to rising interest rates as the 10-year
- [Updates to Your LPL Statements](https://fiplanpartners.com/updates-to-your-lpl-statements/) - We are excited to announce that LPL is rolling out new enhancements to your account statements aimed at providing you with even greater transparency and clarity. In this informative video, you will learn about the upcoming changes, including improved visuals, simplified language, and more detailed information about your investments. Watch the video now to discover
- [Secure Act 2.0: Provisions Effective in 2024](https://fiplanpartners.com/secure-act-2-0-provisions-effective-in-2024/) - Join Jason Hatley for this week’s educational episode, where he reviews the latest updates from Secure Act 2.0 that will go into effect starting in 2024. He goes over the details of the new rules, including changes in SIMPLE IRA employer matching, the ability to roll over unused 529 plan funds, and more. Watch this
- [Shutdowns and Stress](https://fiplanpartners.com/shutdowns-and-stress/) - Government Shutdowns We are watching news out of Washington D.C. this week for what is expected to be a few weeks of tough negotiations to try and avoid a government shutdown on October 1st. Negotiations are set to begin this week when both chambers of Congress are set to be in session for the first
- [Secure Act 2.0: What’s New for 2023](https://fiplanpartners.com/secure-act-2-0-whats-new-for-2023/) - Stay informed on the latest updates from Secure Act 2.0 with this week’s educational episode. In this episode, Jason Hatley breaks down some of the new rules, such as RMD age changes, and provides insights on how they could affect your Financial Blueprint. Jason Hatley, CFP®, CPA, PFS Senior Vice President Financial Planning Manager
- [Pullbacks](https://fiplanpartners.com/pullbacks/) - Oil Rig Counts Last week marked the tenth consecutive week where the oil rig count in the US didn't go up. In fact, it has pulled back. The total number of rigs in the US is now 106 off of its all-time high, but why is that important? We've seen an increase in the price
- [Financial Planning Tips for Homeowners](https://fiplanpartners.com/financial-planning-for-homeowners/) - If you are a homeowner, it's important to be aware of the key financial planning topics that can help you make informed decisions about your home and your future. In this educational episode, Mark Hume goes over some of the most important dos and don'ts regarding home insurance and decisions surrounding your deed and mortgage.
- [September Blues?](https://fiplanpartners.com/september-blues/) - History of September Going back to 1950, September has historically been the worst month for the stock market and the only month of the year where both the average and median returns are negative. September also has the lowest positivity rate, meaning only 43.8% of the time is the market up in September. There's much
- [Debt, Drugs, and Driveways](https://fiplanpartners.com/debt-drugs-and-driveways/) - Bonds Last week, we discussed how higher interest rates have been the leading cause of market volatility in recent weeks. However, this week, we want to talk about the benefits of higher rates. For the first time in four years, real yields from bonds are once again providing investors with a rate of return that
- [Understanding the Four Types of Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-the-four-types-of-inflation/) - In this educational episode, Ty Miller takes a deep dive into inflation, stagflation, hyperinflation, and deflation. He explains what each of them means and how they impact the economy differently. Don't miss this enlightening discussion! Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment
- [Stubborn Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/stubborn-markets/) - Choppy Conditions Major market indexes ended lower for the third straight week as the 10-year Treasury yield remained near a 16-year high. Investors believe the Fed will maintain a hawkish stance even with declining inflation. The S&P 500 was down 2.11% last week and is down 4.06% in the past month as the market has
- [Zombie Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/zombie-inflation/) - Corporate Earnings In a world where the market has a lot of negative news and uncertainty to digest, it’s important to stay focused on one of the biggest drivers of stock price movement: corporate earnings. A chart in this episode reveals the percentage of corporations beating earnings estimates in the second quarter of 2019. Also,
- [Inflation and the 1970s](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-and-the-1970s/) - Bond Valuations We've been getting many questions about bonds and interest rates recently, so we wanted to give an update on bond prices relative to changes in interest rates. Bonds are an essential piece in a diversified investment strategy, and the best way to provide an update on bonds is by sharing data specific to
- [Artificial Intelligence and the Global Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/artificial-intelligence-and-the-global-economy/) - Watch this educational episode to hear Ashley Page talk about the global economic impact that AI could have over the next ten years as well as what pros and cons there might be surrounding the development of artificial intelligence. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi
- [Don't Hold Your Breadth](https://fiplanpartners.com/dont-hold-your-breadth/) - Market Strength We continue to get questions and comments from clients who are surprised at how well the market has performed this year and are asking if it can continue considering that at the beginning of the year, some economists expected the economy to be in a recession by this point. One of the measures
- [Money Market Stimulus](https://fiplanpartners.com/money-market-stimulus/) - In this educational episode, Trey Booth discusses interest paid to investors from money market accounts and explains how those funds could be used to stimulate the economy. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team
- [Recession Watch](https://fiplanpartners.com/recession-watch/) - Looking for a Break The Fed will be looking at a lot of data this week, which will be used to drive their interest rate decision. Many market participants expect the Fed to raise rates by 0.25 taking the Fed funds rate from 5.25% to 5.5%. This is widely anticipated and likely already priced in
- [Unique Market Connections](https://fiplanpartners.com/unique-market-connections/) - Inflation The top-line inflation number came in better than expected and going in the right direction. This is the one-year anniversary of when inflation peaked last year at 9%. This is a year-over-year number, which means inflation is 3% off of 9%. With inflation moving from 9% to 3%, that's still a fast move in
- [Understanding Dividends](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-dividends/) - In this educational episode, Adam Vansant talks about what dividends are and how they are paid out. Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™ Senior Vice President of Operations & Advisory Services Wealth Consultant Email Adam Vansant here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning,
- [Annuity Basics](https://fiplanpartners.com/annuity-basics/) - Watch this week's educational episode to hear Ty Miller go over the different types of annuities and explain the importance of each one. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of professionals serving clients across the
- [Headline Market Strength vs. Underlying Weakness](https://fiplanpartners.com/headline-market-strength-vs-underlying-weakness/) - Economic Tug of War As investment managers, we look at the good and the bad. Last week in our Memorial Day vlog, we discussed the positives we're seeing, such as positive leading economic indicators and an improving consumer stress indicator. We also saw a great jobs report as the economy continues to show incredible resiliency.
- [Rolling Recession and Rate Hikes](https://fiplanpartners.com/rolling-recession-and-rate-hikes/) - Rolling Recession The phrase rolling recession is relatively new in economics, but it's gaining popularity. The U.S. has been experiencing a rolling recession over the last few years that could continue but not an economy-wide one. If you think back to last year, some parts of the economy were in a very deep recession, but
- [Major Decisions for Your Estate Plan](https://fiplanpartners.com/major-decisions-for-your-estate-plan/) - In this educational episode, Mark Hume goes over several vital things you need to know about your estate plan, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Watch or listen to this episode to learn where to get started with choosing the executor of your estate and more. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice
- [Stress Test](https://fiplanpartners.com/stress-test/) - Student Loan Forgiveness vs. Inflation There has been a lot of news coverage of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Biden Administration’s plan to forgive student loan debt. However, there hasn't been much coverage on how that will impact inflation. Inflation occurs when demand is up, and the amount of supply is down.
- [How to Satisfy Your RMD](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-take-your-rmd/) - Watch this week’s educational episode to hear the Operations Team discuss Required Minimum Distributions and how the team at Fi Plan Partners will educate you about RMD changes and ensure the process to satisfy your RMD is streamlined and effortless for you. Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™ Senior Vice President of Operations & Advisory
- [Fed Surprise?](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-surprise/) - Global Central Banks A lot is happening this week, but the market-moving event will be the Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday. For the first time in 15 months, the Fed is expected to skip, not pause, but skip raising interest rates. Even though inflation remains higher than what the Fed wants, and after a big
- [Mortgage Rates](https://fiplanpartners.com/mortgage-rates/) - Mortgage rates have spiked since last year, but how does that impact buyers and their monthly payments? Watch this week’s educational episode to hear Bobby Norman review current mortgage rates and compare them to the highs and lows from 1971 to now. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman
- [Debt Up, Fuel Down](https://fiplanpartners.com/debt-up-fuel-down/) - The Debt Ceiling This week's market-moving event is around the debt ceiling debate. Investors will watch carefully as the House Speaker gives his speech at the New York Stock Exchange. We expect him to call for a spending cut as part of the debt ceiling conversation. When we have these types of events, we like
- [Secure Act 2.0: New Laws for 529 Plans](https://fiplanpartners.com/529-plans/) - Watch this week’s educational episode to hear Greg Powell and Jason Hatley review the recent law changes to college saving plans and how they might affect you moving forward. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Jason Hatley, CFP®, CPA, PFS Senior Vice President Financial Planning Manager
- [Blessings and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/blessings-and-markets/) - Economic Growth There's been a lot of recent talk about a pending recession or an economic slowdown, so we wanted to go over a recent report showing economic activity in the US. The report indicates that the economy is growing at the fastest pace in 13 months. The Purchasing Managers Index deposit outlook is a
- [Winning with Interest Rates?](https://fiplanpartners.com/winning-with-interest-rates/) - Inflation Impact on Yields We continue conversing with investors interested in current bonds and savings account yields. Because of that, we wanted to give an update on where yields stand and also talk about real rates of return, including looking at inflation. Bonds have always been an essential part of a diversified strategy. Still, we
- [Reshoring of US Manufacturing Jobs](https://fiplanpartners.com/reshoring-of-us-manufacturing-jobs/) - There has been a lot of talk about moving manufacturing jobs back to the US. Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Trey Booth give an update on that situation and how it impacts the economy. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi
- [The Federal Reserve and Interest Rates](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-federal-reserve-and-interest-rates/) - Watch this week’s educational episode to hear Ashley Page talk about the four main factors the Federal Reserve always considers when establishing interest rates. Click the link above to learn more about this highly requested topic. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is
- [Fund Flows](https://fiplanpartners.com/fund-flows/) - Banking and The Fed The Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee will be meeting this week and announcing their decision on interest rates. The market expects they will raise rates by 25 base points, with that being the last. They will be moving the Federal Funds Rate from a high end of five to five and
- [It’s All In the Wording](https://fiplanpartners.com/its-all-in-the-wording/) - Interest Rates and The Fed As expected, the Fed has announced its tenth rate hike in thirteen months. The numbers weren't surprising, but the words they used were. Before, they were saying that they anticipated further tightening would be necessary, but now they're saying that they are determining whether or not further rate hikes will
- [New RMD Rules for 2023](https://fiplanpartners.com/new-rmd-rules-for-2023/) - In this week’s educational episode, you will learn about the newly enacted age delay rules for Required Minimum Distributions set forth by the Secure 2.0 Act. Watch as Mark Hume explains how these changes might affect you and your retirement accounts. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi
- [Inflation and Investment Returns](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-and-investment-returns/) - Inflation has caused many Americans to adjust their budget and spending habits, but how has it impacted investment returns? In this week’s educational episode, Bobby Norman goes over the risk of inflation in investing and how it might affect you. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Fi
- [Seven Percent Gauge](https://fiplanpartners.com/seven-percent-gauge/) - Market History This will be one of the busiest weeks for the first quarter earnings season, and we want to address the concerns around expectations for earnings growth to be negative for the second quarter in a row. We follow corporate earnings very closely as earnings are an important long-term driver of stock prices. However,
- [What is Correlation?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-correlation/) - Listen to this week's educational episode to hear Ty Miller talk about what correlation means and how it relates to portfolio diversification. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of professionals serving clients across the nation
- [The Client Experience](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-client-experience-2/) - Join us for this week’s educational episode, where Greg Powell sits down with our newest team member, Makenzie Phillips, to discuss her role as Operations Specialist and what she enjoys the most about working with clients as they pursue a life that is Better, Richer, Fuller. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth
- [The Misery Index and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/misery-index-and-markets/) - Jobs The jobs report on Friday showed that 236,000 jobs were added to the workforce. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% from the previous 3.6%, and the labor participation rate increased to 62.6%. Labor force participation is the number of people working or actively looking for work. This is an important number because an economy
- [Market Seasonality](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-seasonality/) - Historical April March was volatile, but seasonality patterns prevailed, as stocks performed well in the last half of the month. As you can see in a chart shown in this episode, historical April seasonality trends suggest that last week's positive momentum could continue. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has posted an average of 1.5% growth
- [Banking and the Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/banking-and-the-economy/) - Watch or listen to this episode to hear Ashley Page talk about the banking system and how it can have an impact on the overall economy. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of
- [Is Volatility The New Norm?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-volatility-the-new-norm/) - Never Ending Volatility Recently, we’ve been getting questions from clients regarding what seems like never-ending volatility in the market. Because of this, we wanted to share a chart with you, which you can see in the video for this episode, that shows fourteen of the past fifteen calendar years. From 2008 to 2022, the S&P
- [Be Careful What You Wish For](https://fiplanpartners.com/be-careful-what-you-wish-for/) - All Eyes on The Fed Market participants have wished for the Federal Reserve to pause on rate hikes for many months, and we may see that happen after their meeting this week. This is the least clear the market has been on where the Fed will go with only two days away from their meeting.
- [Finding Tax Documents on Account View](https://fiplanpartners.com/finding-tax-documents-on-account-view/) - Watch this week’s educational episode to hear Adam Vansant walk you through how to access tax documents on Account View. Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™ Senior Vice President of Operations & Advisory Services Wealth Consultant Email Adam Vansant here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of professionals
- [Panic Not Required](https://fiplanpartners.com/panic-not-required/) - The Banking Industry We want to address what happened last week in the banking industry and explain why the market had such a tough week. Last week the S&P 500 was down 4.5%. Mid-caps were down 7.4%, and small-cap stocks were down 8.1%. The sharp pullback in the market was due to earlier in the
- [Can the Market Hold the Line?](https://fiplanpartners.com/can-the-market-hold-the-line/) - Interest Rates and Market Performance With the treasury yields spiking higher the past few weeks, we've had some questions about higher interest rates and market performance. We looked back from a historical perspective on how the S&P 500 index had performed in calendar years when the yield on the benchmark 10-year treasury note finished the
- [Inflation and Market Volatility](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-and-market-volatility/) - The Economy and The Fed The Fed’s “preferred” inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures or PCE, not only came in worse than expected, but the prior three months were all revised higher. The whole thing throws cold water on the ‘disinflation’ buzz and the rally we’ve seen so far this year. On a year-over-year
- [Bull Market vs. Bear Market](https://fiplanpartners.com/bull-vs-bear-market/) - Bull vs Bear Market. One way to think about it is when a bull attacks an opponent it thrusts its horns up in the air while a bear claws its opponents down.
- [An 18th Anniversary Celebration](https://fiplanpartners.com/an-18th-anniversary-celebration/) - As we celebrate the 18th anniversary of Fi Plan Partners, we wanted to share a special message from our fearless leader, Greg Powell, to thank you for an incredible 18-year journey with phenomenal relationships like you. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Fi Plan Partners is an
- [Behind the Screens](https://fiplanpartners.com/behind-the-screens/) - You don’t want to miss this week’s special episode of Investors’ Insights, where Greg Powell and Trey Booth answer a popular question that we often hear, “What is the purpose of the many screens in Trey’s office?” Click the link to watch this informative video where Greg and Trey discuss how the Portfolio Team
- [What is the S&P 500?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-the-stock-market/) - The 500 Often when you hear people talk about the market, they’re talking about the S&P 500. The S&P 500 represents the 500 largest publicly-traded companies in the United States. When you hear that the market or the S&P 500 is down 200 points or down a percentage, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your personal
- [Until Death Do Us Part](https://fiplanpartners.com/until-death-do-us-part/) - Death is an awkward topic. It’s not easy to talk about, especially when you lose a loved one. It is, however, a critical discussion that needs to be had in the financial planning process. The advantage of working with a Democratized Family Office®, such as Fi Plan Partners, is that all of the financial affairs
- [Emotional Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/emotional-markets/) -  Market Pullback We want to address the market pullback that happened this past Friday. It was one of the worst days for the market this year and it was due to the concerns of the new Coronavirus variant. One thing to point out is that, historically, the Friday after Thanksgiving is lightly traded, which
- [Romance with Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/romance-with-inflation/) - Core CPI This week's market-moving event could be when the consumer price index report comes out on Tuesday. Expectations are that the annual price growth decelerated to 6.2% in January. The core CPI, which takes out the more volatile food and energy numbers, is often seen as a better measure and is projected
- [The Pros and Cons of Preferred Stocks](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-preferred-stocks/) - In this week’s educational episode, Ashley Page talks about preferred stocks and explains how they are different from bonds and common stocks. Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of professionals serving clients across the nation through financial planning, wealth management and business consulting. The team at
- [Golden Cross](https://fiplanpartners.com/golden-cross/) - Technical Analysis After a strong January for the markets, the question is, can the rally continue? Fortunately, technical analysis helps us answer this question. One bullish market development that happened last Thursday for the first time in two years, a golden cross occurred in the S&P 500. A golden cross is a bullish signal
- [Fed Fury](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-fury/) - Interest Rate Hikes For the last few years, the market has been 100% focused on what the Federal Reserve was going to do. During Covid, it was very stimulative, but in 2022 that flipped to being very restrictive, where the Federal Reserve was trying to get the market and prices to drop. Going into
- [Tax Loss Harvesting](https://fiplanpartners.com/tax-loss-harvesting/) - Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Trey Booth and Ty Miller talk about the possible benefits of a down market when it comes to taxes. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Ty Miller Associate Vice President Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan
- [Charts Don't Lie](https://fiplanpartners.com/charts-dont-lie/) - Market Update We want to give a quick update on where the market stands as we head into a very important week of corporate earnings. The S&P 500 has kicked off 2023 with a solid start, rising 4% before giving up some gains last week. In this episode, we show a few charts that
- [Unrealized vs Realized Gains and Losses](https://fiplanpartners.com/unrealized-vs-realized-gains-and-losses/) - Listen to this week’s educational episode, where Ty Miller talks about taxable events in relation to gains and losses and how to know when it is considered realized versus unrealized. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of
- [2023 and You](https://fiplanpartners.com/2023-and-you/) - Historical Markets One of the best ways you could describe the 2022 year is with the word volatility. This occurred in the stock and bond market. We saw the S&P 500 down 19.4%, Nasdaq down 33.1% and the Aggregate Bond Index was down 13%. Also, international markets didn’t fare much better with an example
- [The Impact of Interest Rates on Housing Costs](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-impact-of-interest-rates-on-housing-costs/) - Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode, where Trey Booth talks about the impact that interest rates have on the cost of mortgage payments and home prices, as well as what this type of housing environment has looked like historically. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here
- [The Fed Grinch](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-fed-grinch/) - Inflation Data The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report that measures inflation ended up being a nice Christmas surprise. The report came in at 7.1%, beating the expectation of 7.3%. The market took that in stride and rallied on the good news. The report also showed some of the transport costs coming down, which is
- [Innovation Mavericks: Rush Garner, Owner of Rush Wine Cellars](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-rush-garner-owner-of-rush-wine-cellars/) - On this episode of Innovation Mavericks, Greg Powell, CEO of Fi Plan Partners, sits down with Rush Garner, Owner of Rush Wine Cellars, to talk about his journey from selling wine out of his minivan to having his own brand and how he has continued to grow over the years. What is a Maverick? Mavericks
- [Inflation: Naughty or Nice?](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-naughty-or-nice/) - Interest Rate Hikes This year is coming to a close, and very few market participants would disagree with the idea that inflation and the Federal Reserve have been the two stories that have driven the market higher and lower this year. We're about to get both reports on top of each other as the
- [Your Financial Blueprint](https://fiplanpartners.com/your-financial-blueprint/) - In this week’s educational episode, Mark Hume talks about New Year’s resolutions and the importance of having a Financial Blueprint. Watch or listen to this episode to see how to get started. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham,
- [Low on Energy, High on Jobs](https://fiplanpartners.com/low-energy-high-jobs/) - The Price of Gas The G7 plus Australia have agreed to implement a $60 price cap on barrels of oil from Russia. The reason that this is impactful is that oil is currently trading at around $80 per barrel. This means if these countries are going to buy oil from Russia, they're going to
- [Is Your Life Insurance the Best for You?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-your-life-insurance-the-best-for-you/) - In this week’s educational episode, Mark Hume talks about the different types of life insurance and how important it is to make sure what you have is right for you. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with
- [Markets, Elections and China](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-elections-and-china/) - China Lockdowns Over the weekend, following the data on Black Friday and holiday shopping, we received news regarding major China protests, across the country, against Covid lockdowns and poor working conditions. That news has riled Asian markets and has hit certain sectors of our market. Indirectly, our entire ecosystem is connected to China, with
- [Carving Up Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/carving-up-inflation/) - Consumer Credit As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, we're also getting closer to the big spending day with Black Friday, and there are a lot of different thoughts about how strong this black Friday will be, as consumers are still dealing with high inflation. One interesting note is that consumer credit defaults are
- [The Impact of the Elections?](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-impact-of-the-elections/) - Consumer Spending and Corporate Profits While the market will have to wait a few more weeks to get clarity on what the makeup of Congress will look like, we can give you an update on two important components of what drives stock prices and the economy. First, let's take a look at an update
- [2023 Tax Planning](https://fiplanpartners.com/2023-tax-planning/) - Recently the IRS released the changes they are making to tax brackets, standard deductions, IRA contribution limits, and more. Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Mark Hume go over these changes and what they mean for you. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi
- [Charting the Course](https://fiplanpartners.com/charting-the-course/) - Fundamentals vs. Technicals On a chart from our research partners at Strategas shown in this episode, you will see the S&P 500 and what it looked like in the middle of last week when we got the Fed’s decision, which caused the market to sell off pretty quickly. It appears as though that created
- [Higher Rates and Your Money](https://fiplanpartners.com/higher-rates-and-your-money/) - For the sixth time this year, the Federal Reserve has announced that they are raising interest rates in an attempt to fight inflation. In this episode, Bobby Norman talks about where consumers could see a direct impact due to these increases. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here
- [Trends](https://fiplanpartners.com/trends/) - Inflation The recent inflation data has been negative, and individuals are feeling the pinch at the pump and the grocery store. Inflation has risen at a fairly fast pace, historically. Strategas Research Partners provided us with a chart, shown in this episode, that we think helps to show that even though the ride up has
- [Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments](https://fiplanpartners.com/social-security-cost-of-living-adjustments/) - In this week’s educational episode, Trey Booth goes over the recent cost of living adjustment announced by the Social Security Administration and explains how it impacts individuals planning for retirement. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL,
- [The McRib and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-mcrib-and-markets/) - History of The McRib We have plenty of charts to show today, but perhaps the most interesting chart of the day is about the McRib making a comeback. It has historically been added back to the menu around the fall season, so we wanted to have a little fun and show you a chart analyzing
- [Inherited IRA Rule Changes](https://fiplanpartners.com/inherited-ira-rule-changes/) - Listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Jason Hatley go over the recent RMD rule changes that the IRS has announced for inherited IRAs. Jason Hatley, CFP®, CPA, PFS Senior Vice President Financial Planning Manager Email Jason Hatley here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team
- [Investors' Wishlist](https://fiplanpartners.com/investors-wishlist/) - Historical Volatility As volatility remains high, we continue to look back at the history of the market to see what could lie ahead as we get closer to the midterm election. The market has historically shown strength in the months after the midterm elections. What we found out about the S&P 500 is when it
- [How the European Energy Crisis Affects the Global Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-the-european-energy-crisis-affects-the-global-economy/) - In this week’s educational episode, Ashley Page talks about the European energy crisis and how it could impact the world and US economy in terms of supply, imports, exports, and more. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham,
- [Good News, Bad News](https://fiplanpartners.com/good-news-bad-news-3/) - Interest Rates & Inflation On Friday, we received the jobs data, which ended up being a quintessential example of how good news turned out to be bad news. The report showed 263,000 jobs added last month, which is good news. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%, which is also good news. The bad news was
- [All About The Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/all-about-the-fed/) - Inflation Last week the reports showed a higher-than-expected inflation number. We were expecting a 0.1% decrease but instead, we got a 0.1% increase. That doesn't sound like a lot but when other things are factored in, such as energy prices being down 5% thanks to a decrease in gas prices, it was a big increase.
- [Operations and Year-End Checklist](https://fiplanpartners.com/operations-and-year-end-checklist/) - Every year we sit down with the Operations team at Fi Plan Partners to point out important things that need to be done before the end of the year, which is quickly approaching. Watch or listen to this week’s episode to hear what you should be adding to your year-end checklist. Greg Powell, CIMA® President
- [Cutting Supply](https://fiplanpartners.com/cutting-supply/) - Oil Price Increase This week, for the first time since 2019, OPEC will be meeting in person in Vienna. The talk of the town, which was moving markets this morning, is that they're talking about cutting production by a million barrels per day. Last month when they met virtually, they discussed and followed through on
- [Returning Cash to Shareholders](https://fiplanpartners.com/returning-cash-to-shareholders/) - Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode where Ty Miller talks about how shareholders can have cash returned to them in different ways, such as dividends. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team of professionals serving clients across
- [Innovation Mavericks: Michelle and Hunter Norwood, A Little Something Extra Ice Cream](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-michelle-and-hunter-norwood-a-little-something-extra-ice-cream/) - On this episode of Innovation Mavericks, Greg Powell, CEO of Fi Plan Partners, sits down with Michelle Norwood, Owner of A Little Something Extra Ice Cream, and their CEO, Hunter Norwood, to talk about how their mobile ice cream business is making a difference in the lives of those with Down syndrome and other exceptionalities.
- [Surprising September](https://fiplanpartners.com/surprising-september/) - Market Strength There was a lot of strength in the market last week, which is great to see considering we have to contend with the seasonally weak month of September. The test this week will be if the market can continue the uptrend or was last week a bounce due to the previous three weeks
- [Election Impact on Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/election-impact-on-markets/) - Listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Bobby Norman go over the historical data surrounding the impact that political events, such as elections, have on the markets. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a
- [Innovation Mavericks: Vince Thompson, Build Brand You](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-vince-thompson-build-brand-you/) - Today’s Innovation Maverick video is with Greg Powell, CEO of Fi Plan Partners, and Vince Thompson, CEO of MELT and author of Build Brand You: Insights For Pursuing Your Dreams. Listen as they discuss how to market yourself for a new career in this new innovative world we are living in. This episode is also
- [Understanding Your Cash](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-your-cash/) - Treasury recently announced the highest rate ever for I bonds. However, it may not be as attractive as you think. Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Mark Hume explain what I bonds are and what to look for when it comes to your cash savings. Series I bonds can only
- [Answering Client Questions](https://fiplanpartners.com/answering-client-questions-2/) - Technical Analysis We have recently had viewers ask for examples of how we use technical analysis so today we will go over some of those examples. Often, we talk about resistance and support levels and one of the questions is asked how we arrive at those numbers. One of the main things that we look
- [Innovation Mavericks: Brian Collins, Atomic Pictures](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-brian-collins-atomic-pictures/) - What is a Maverick? Mavericks are free-thinking people who refuse to conform to society's standards and are driven to change the world. Mavericks are intelligent, inventive, imaginative, and genius, independent. Individualistic idealist idea machines, original uninhibited visionaries, icons, intentional and inspirational. What special power is possessed by Maverick? The power of innovation. Innovation is doing
- [Rattling Cages](https://fiplanpartners.com/rattling-cages/) - Market Uncertainty Last week we talked about the importance of 90% of stocks being above their 50-day moving averages, which is historically a very positive development, but what could lead to further volatility in the market? The answer is higher yields. Rising yields could be a threat to the recent rally that we've seen in
- [Secure Act 2.0](https://fiplanpartners.com/secure-act-2-0/) - Secure Act 2.0 is currently making its way through congress. Watch this week’s educational episode to hear Jason Hatley, Financial Planning Manager, go over what laws might change such as RMD age, student loan match contributions, and more. Jason Hatley, CPA Senior Vice President Financial Planning Manager Email Jason Hatley here Fi Plan Partners
- [Innovation Mavericks: Mitch York, Certified EOS Implementer®](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-mitch-york-certified-eos-implementer/) - What is a Maverick? Mavericks are free-thinking people who refuse to conform to society's standards and are driven to change the world. Mavericks are intelligent, inventive, imaginative, and genius, independent. Individualistic idealist idea machines, original uninhibited visionaries, icons, intentional and inspirational. What special power is possessed by Maverick? The power of innovation. Innovation is doing
- [Ninety Percent?](https://fiplanpartners.com/ninety-percent/) - Market Strength There have been a lot of questions asked related to the market strength we have seen the past few weeks. Is it sustainable? Is what we've seen a typical bear market rally? Two weeks ago, on the vlog, we mentioned an indicator that we watch that looks at market strength. That indicator shows
- [Innovation Mavericks: Art Carden, Leave Me Alone and I’ll Make You Rich](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-mavericks-art-carden-leave-me-alone-and-ill-make-you-rich/) - What is a Maverick? Mavericks are free-thinking people who refuse to conform to society standards and are driven to change the world. Mavericks are intelligent, inventive, imaginative, and genius, independent. Individualistic idealist idea machines, original uninhibited visionaries, icons, intentional and inspirational. What special power is possessed by Maverick? The power of innovation. Innovation is doing
- [The Fed Balance Sheet](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-fed-balance-sheet/) - In this week’s educational episode, Ty Miller goes over what the Fed balance sheet is and talks about how it’s managed in relation to the economy. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning,
- [Recession or Recovery?](https://fiplanpartners.com/recession-or-recovery/) - Current Markets Last week we talked about how this would be a big week with the Federal Reserve and GDP reports. The data and the market definitely didn’t disappoint. The Fed raised rates by 75 basis points, putting the current Fed target rate at 2.5%. That was in line with pretty much all of Wall
- [Friend-Shoring](https://fiplanpartners.com/friend-shoring/) - What is friend-shoring and how does it impact portfolios? Watch this week’s educational episode to hear Ashley Page go over this topic in relation to global wealth. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, with a team
- [Winners and Losers](https://fiplanpartners.com/winners-and-losers/) - Recession? We continue to receive client questions about the idea of us being in a recession and what impact that talk has on the market. It is important to point out that the S&P 500 has shown strength the past three weeks, even with the talk about a recession. The technical definition of an economic
- [Tornado of Market Activity](https://fiplanpartners.com/tornado-of-market-activity/) -  The Bond Market This is an enormous week in terms of markets and economic data. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will announce their decision on interest rates and then on Thursday, we'll get the first look at second quarter GDP. The reason we used the word tornado in the title is because we're seeing
- [Explaining Risk-Free Return](https://fiplanpartners.com/explaining-risk-free-return/) -  Listen to this week’s educational episode where Trey Booth, Chief Investment Officer, puts some context to what risk-free return means. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning, wealth management
- [Slay the Inflation Dragon](https://fiplanpartners.com/slay-the-inflation-dragon/) -  Inflation We have had July 13th circled on our calendars for a long time because of CPI being released. Inflation is one of the top points for markets and the individual consumer. The data came out and surprised to the upside. The markets were expecting 8.8% year-over-year and it came out at 9.1%. This
- [Inflation and Commodities](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-and-commodities/) -  Listen to this week’s educational episode where Trey Booth, Chief Investment Officer, talks about good news with commodity prices and inflation. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning, wealth
- [Soft Landing?](https://fiplanpartners.com/soft-landing/) -  Labor Market On Friday, the jobs report came out very strong showing that 317,000 jobs were added to the economy last month. That's a really good number but why are jobs so important? Jobs will be how we get to a soft landing. For the economy to continue to grow, we need to go
- [What Is Asset Allocation?](https://fiplanpartners.com/asset-allocation/) - Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Managing Director, Bobby Norman, go over what asset allocation is and how it plays a role in your Financial Blueprint and your portfolio. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm
- [The Final Stretch](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-final-stretch/) - Looking Forward and Volatility As we start the last week of the year, we are looking if we might be potentially looking at a “Santa Claus Rally”. The last week of the year, no guarantees historically tends to be a strong week. One reason for this is that in previous years we have typically seen
- [Retirement Planning for the Self-Employed](https://fiplanpartners.com/retirement-planning-for-the-self-employed/) -  In this week’s educational episode, Mark Hume goes over a few retirement tips for those who are self-employed. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning, wealth management and business
- [Bear Market Rally?](https://fiplanpartners.com/bear-market-rally/) -  Commodity Prices We're close to finishing what's been the worst start to the year in history, and we are analyzing what could drive the market higher in the second half. We shared a few weeks ago that, historically, the second half of the year has performed well coming off a bad first start to
- [Farewell TINA](https://fiplanpartners.com/farewell-tina/) -  Interest Rates Last week, the Federal Reserve made the decision to raise rates by three quarters of a percent or 75 basis points which was said to be off the table at the last meeting. This is the largest increase in rates by the Fed since 1994. As you can see in a chart
- [Service Sector Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/service-sector-inflation/) -  In this episode, Ashley Page, Senior Vice President, goes into detail about inflation and the factors involved with increased service costs. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning,
- [New Faces, New Ideas](https://fiplanpartners.com/new-faces-new-ideas/) -  In order to kick off this week’s celebration of Fi Plan Partners’ 17th anniversary, this week’s educational episode is all about President, Greg Powell sitting down with Associate Vice President, Ty Miller, to discuss market trends, portfolios, and how Fi Plan Partners is unique compared to other firms. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and
- [Nine Trillion-Dollar Decision](https://fiplanpartners.com/nine-trillion-dollar-decision/) -  Core Goods Inflation Everybody is focused on inflation because it is impacting their pocketbooks. We are looking at it from a market standpoint and the reason is because inflation is driving the Federal Reserve's $9 trillion decision. Inflation came out on Friday at 8.6%, which is much higher than we expected. That beat the
- [What Are Stock Splits?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-are-stock-splits/) -  In this week’s episode, you will hear Ty Miller, Associate Vice President, go over what stock splits are and how they have performed historically. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning, wealth management
- [Please Take a Trip](https://fiplanpartners.com/please-take-a-trip/) -  Consumer Travel We've been watching the jobs numbers all year because we've been talking since late 2020 about how the US consumer has been spending more on goods vs services and in order to see inflation come down, we need the consumer to flip back to spending on services like they have done for
- [Investing For Your Children](https://fiplanpartners.com/investing-for-your-children/) - In this educational episode, Jason Hatley, Financial Planning Manager, goes over ways you can safely invest for your children and what to avoid. Jason Hatley, CPA Vice President Financial Planning Manager Email Jason Hatley here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning, wealth
- [Companies vs. Consumers](https://fiplanpartners.com/companies-vs-consumers/) -  Corporate Earnings We wanted to address the strong corporate earnings we are seeing versus the conflicted lower consumer sentiment. First, we will go over corporate earnings. You will see in a chart shown in the episode that over 95% of S&P 500 companies have reported results. The first quarter earnings growth for the index
- [Gifting to Help Others](https://fiplanpartners.com/gifting-to-help-others/) -  In this video Greg Powell, President of Fi Plan Partners, sits down with Greg and Donna Bishop, the visionaries of Hoover Helps, to learn more about how one family can make a difference in the lives of others. See how Hoover Helps and local businesses like Fi Plan Partners are helping children in times
- [Markets and 1970](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-and-1970/) -  A Time in History The market is down for the eighth week in a row and because of that, we wanted to look back in history to see what was going on the last time we had this kind of volatility. We found some similarity with the year 1970. On a chart shown in
- [Consumer Down, But Not Out](https://fiplanpartners.com/consumer-down-but-not-out/) -  Consumer Sentiment We will be watching the retail sales number closely this week as the U.S. consumer is showing weakness. The weakness in the consumer matters because consumer spending makes up 69% of our economy. Consumer confidence expectations is a leading economic indicator. Last week, we saw a notable dip in U.S. consumer sentiment
- [Can Supply Meet Demand?](https://fiplanpartners.com/can-supply-meet-demand/) -  Interest Rates The Fed, as expected, raised interest rates by 50 basis points. One of the things the market took as a positive is that the Fed took the 75 basis point rate hike that they were planning for June, off the table. The market rallied on that note, but then on Friday, gave
- [Understanding Capital Structure](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-capital-structure/) -  How does the capital structure of companies play a role in the stock market and your portfolio? Listen or watch this week’s educational episode to see what Ashley Page has to say about this topic. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an
- [Money, Money, Money](https://fiplanpartners.com/money-money-money/) -  Rate Hikes and The Fed The Federal Reserve is fully expected to raise interest rates when they meet on Tuesday and Wednesday. They're planning to announce their decision late Wednesday. There was some concern last week when we got a negative GDP print, which came in well below expectations. We were expecting growth, maybe
- [UGMAs and UTMAs](https://fiplanpartners.com/ugmas-and-utmas/) -  The Uniform Gift to Minors Act and the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act both serve as custodial accounts and can be a great way for parents to store and protect assets for a minor until he or she reaches the age of majority. The age of majority is usually between the ages of 18
- [Is Everything Okay in the USA?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-everything-okay-in-the-usa/) - Rate Hikes and The Fed Last week we seemed to be having a bit of a rally. Even through mid-day on Thursday, the market was up, but then chairperson, Jerome Powell spoke in public comments and came out a little more aggressive than the market's anticipated. The expectations for rate hikes went up considerably. You
- [The Long-Term Value of HSAs](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-long-term-value-of-hsas/) -  Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Mark Hume speak about the benefits of having a Health Savings Account. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial planning,
- [Sell in May?](https://fiplanpartners.com/sell-in-may/) -  Follow The Facts There’s an old saying that everyone has heard before that says, “Sell in May, then go away”. It means you sell out of the market in the month of May and stay out until November. After that it’s said that you ride the wave, so to speak, until the following May.
- [Recession and The Yield Curve](https://fiplanpartners.com/recession-and-the-yield-curve/) -  Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Ty Miller speak about the Yield Curve and what historically occurs when we see an inversion. Ty Miller Associate Vice President Email Ty Miller here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through financial
- [Murky Market Outlook](https://fiplanpartners.com/murky-market-outlook/) -  Stocks and Bonds First quarter, as everyone knows, was a very rocky quarter for the stock market. That topic hit a lot of public air. We see it on the front-page of the newspaper but what wasn’t initially covered was that it was also a struggling quarter for the bond market. When stocks and
- [Strategic Use of Credit Cards](https://fiplanpartners.com/strategic-use-of-credit-cards/) -  A credit card can be of great value but can also be harmful. Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to hear Jason Hatley go over what to look for when choosing the right credit card for you and your spending habits. Jason Hatley, CPA Vice President Financial Planning Manager Email Jason
- [Is The Market Madness Behind Us?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-the-market-madness-behind-us/) -  Jobs It has been a wild first quarter, and for the last three months we've been talking about all of the early indicators of potential economic slowdown. There's been spike in oil prices like we have never seen. The yield curve inverted, and we’ve seen an aggressive Fed. These are all things that have
- [Are the Bears in Trouble?](https://fiplanpartners.com/are-the-bears-in-trouble/) -  Bull Market A bull market climbs a wall of worry, and this market is having to deal with several things right now. Some of those things being the Ukraine war, inflation is at a 40-year high, short-term interest rates are soaring, and let's not forget, because we've been dealing with it since 2020, the
- [What is a 401(k)?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-a-401k/) -  In this week’s educational episode, Bobby Norman, and Justin Ladden of Kreativ Retirement Plan Solutions, go over what a 401(k) plan is and answer several common questions they often get about them. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm
- [Rates Higher, Gas Lower?](https://fiplanpartners.com/rates-higher-gas-lower/) -  Historical Data As expected, last week the Federal Reserve announced that they are raising rates. We had several questions around how the market reacts to tighter policy, so we wanted to address that today. As you can see, in a chart shown in this episode, stocks have done quite well in previous periods of
- [Three Major Indexes of the Stock Market](https://fiplanpartners.com/three-main-indexes-of-the-stock-market/) -  In this week’s educational episode, Adam Vansant goes over what the three major indexes are and how they relate to the overall stock market. Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™ Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Adam Vansant here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation through
- [News Driven Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/news-driven-market/) -  Market History With the recent volatility in the market, we wanted to share some research with our viewers. We looked back throughout history to see how the market reacted the last time we had high inflation and a geopolitical event the same year. We were able to find a very relevant chart that shows
- [Understanding Volatility](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-volatility/) -  What is volatility in the markets and is it a good or bad thing? Watch or listen to this week’s educational episode to learn about the ups and downs of the market and what it means overall. Adam Vansant, AIF® Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Adam Vansant here Fi Plan Partners is an
- [The Good, The Bad, The Ugly](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/) -  Technical Analysis The S&P 500 was down when it closed on Friday, sitting at a price of 4,328. That gives us a new short-term resistance level of 4,370 and a new support level of 4,290. It's also important to keep in mind that the 50-day moving day average has dropped down to a price
- [Increasing Interest Rates](https://fiplanpartners.com/increasing-interest-rates/) -  In this educational episode, Senior Vice President, Ashley Page, goes over the six reasons why increasing interest rates can be good for the US economy. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the
- [Emotions, News, and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/emotions-news-and-markets/) -  Market Correction For the first time since March 2020, the S&P 500 is down 10% from the recent highs, which technically means the market is in correction. Although, this isn't comfortable, investors need to remember that there's usually one 10% correction on the average year. After going nearly four years without a 10% correction,
- [Travel and Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/travel-and-inflation/) - Inflation One of the drivers of inflation has been consumer spending, which is great, but they've been spending on goods vs services. As we have mentioned before, goods are very inflationary. We've shown charts going back months that shows that there has been a spike in goods spending over services. That's largely inflationary because you
- [Domestic Focus](https://fiplanpartners.com/domestic-focus/) -  Earnings There's a lot of talk, especially in the news media over the weekend and last week, around the uncertainty between Russia and Ukraine. While that is a very important topic, it is something that the markets have less history on and that we have less control over. As a result of this, we
- [Tax Day and Your IRA](https://fiplanpartners.com/tax-day-and-your-ira/) -  In this week’s educational episode, Mark Hume goes into detail about IRA limits, contributions, eligibility, and a lot more. If you have an IRA, this is an episode that you don’t want to miss. Mark Hume, CFP® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Mark Hume here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm
- [Reaching For Your Wallet](https://fiplanpartners.com/reaching-for-your-wallet/) -  Higher Gas Prices We talk about consumer spending a lot and deservedly, since the consumer makes up over 68% of our economy and is a big driver of stock market growth and strength. A big concern we have right now is the price of gas, which shouldn’t be a secret if our viewers have
- [Impact of The Unknown](https://fiplanpartners.com/impact-of-the-unknown/) -  Geopolitical Events There are a lot of questions floating around about our current market. One of them being around the impact of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. What impact could that have on an already volatile market? While any individual event could have different consequences for the market, it is worth noting that
- [CARES Act: Federal Student Loan Relief](https://fiplanpartners.com/cares-act-federal-student-loan-relief/) -  Another extension of pandemic relief benefits for borrowers with federal student loans has been announced, but will this be the last extension for this? Watch this educational episode to see what you can to do to prepare for when that benefit comes to an end. Jason Hatley, CPA Vice President Financial Planning Manager
- [Looking for Support](https://fiplanpartners.com/looking-for-support/) -  Technical Analysis We've had a very volatile start to 2022 when it comes to the markets. The S&P 500 closed this past Friday at a price of 4,397. That gives us a new resistance level of 4,440 and a new support level of 4,360. These numbers are from the short-term analysis. We also look
- [It's Going to Cost You](https://fiplanpartners.com/its-going-to-cost-you/) -  Pullbacks and Corrections Volatility is a normal part of the market and you're going to see pullbacks but it's when those pullbacks occur that we think is important. We found some interesting data that shows since 1945 there have been a total of 61 pullbacks of 5% to 10% and 23 corrections of between
- [The Experience Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-experience-economy/) -  Consumers spend their money on goods or services but how does that drive markets and the economy? ​Ashley Page talks about this very thing in this week’s educational episode. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL,
- [The Workers Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/workers-economy/) -  Jobs Last week we talked about the Fed and the jobs report, which came out Friday. Just like in the past months, the headline number raised eyebrows. Ex[ectations were that 450,000 jobs would be added but it ended up being only around 200,000. The report also showed an upward revision to the months of
- [New Year's Financial Resolutions](https://fiplanpartners.com/new-years-financial-resolutions/) - Everyone has goals to get physically healthy in the new year, but what about financial health? In this episode, Bobby Norman goes over five great new year’s resolutions for your financial health. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in
- [Overshadowing Omicron](https://fiplanpartners.com/overshadowing-omicron/) -  Corporate Profits One of the most consistent bright spots in the market and the economy last year was corporate America’s ability to deliver expanding profit margins even with inflation spiking and specifically with the rising cost of raw materials and higher labor costs. A common question in 2021 was about how the market
- [Holiday Market Special](https://fiplanpartners.com/holiday-market-special/) -  Spiked Volatility We hope everyone is looking forward to a great holiday with family and friends. As always there are topics to discuss in the markets, as volatility has spiked as there was a batch of negative headlines over the weekend that we want to address. To start, in our first vlog of December,
- [Fed Claus](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-claus/) - Market Moving Event The market-moving event of the week will be the Federal Reserve's last meeting of the year on Wednesday. Strong economic growth, labor market recovery, and inflation have all clearly moved the Fed towards an accelerated focus on shifting its policy. The Fed matters when it comes to markets, and we saw that
- [Inflation Grinch](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-grinch/) -  Jolly Markets After most equity indexes traded back in the month of November, we are hopeful that December will be a jollier month for equities. December is historically a solid month for stocks so as of now, we're optimistic that stocks will sidestep the news of the new variant. Over the weekend, the news
- [Let's Talk Turkey](https://fiplanpartners.com/lets-talk-turkey-2/) -  In this educational episode, Trey Booth goes over the Thanksgiving Index data and tells us what the price of a Thanksgiving meal costs this year compared to last year. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Chief Investment Officer Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL,
- [Carving The Market Turkey](https://fiplanpartners.com/carving-the-market-turkey/) -  Tax Rates Last week, the House passed the Build Back Better plan for President Biden which will now go to the Senate. What was helpful, is that our research partners at Strategus and the committee responsible for the Federal Government sliced up the 2,468-page bill and gave us a summary, which is shown in
- [The Collapse of Lehman Brothers One Year Later](https://fiplanpartners.com/5-new-article-five/) - A year after the fall of Lehman Brothers, where are we now, is the Great Recession almost over, and what can we expect in the near future.
- [The Stock Market Rally says the Economy is back on Track. Do you believe it?](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-stock-market-rally-says-the-economy-is-back-on-track-do-you-believe/) - Is this stock market rally for real? We don't believe it is. The equity market may be on it's last leg, the cash for clunkers program is over, and the first time home buyers tax credit and long term treasury bond purchase program will be over soon.
- [Monday, October 19, 2009 or A Revisit of 1987?](https://fiplanpartners.com/monday-october-19-2009-or-a-revisit-of-1987/) - Is today like the same day in 1987? Is the government going to stop medicating our economy like a sick patient with a weak immune system or will the economy remain sick and dependent? One thing the 1987 stock market crash taught us is that the market can react quickly whether the news of the day is temporary or the beginning of a long term trend.
- [Is Our Government Too Big To Fail?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-our-government-too-big-to-fail/) - We've discovered that no company is too big to fail and neither is our government. Existing government entities like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Social Security, and the FDIC are proof the our government isn't too big to fail. The government is now creating a whole new set of problems that could impact us for decades to come. Now the government wants to participate in healthcare.
- [The Magic of Dow 10,000](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-magic-of-dow-10000/) - With the improving economic backdrop, equity markets have continued their strong rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which bottomed intra-day at 6,440 on March 9, 2009 has risen above the mystical 10,000 level. The 57% advance in more than seven months is one of the largest on record. The improvement has been largely driven by the extraordinary stimulus efforts of global central banks, but more recently, is accelerating due to the return of economic expansion as consumers and businesses are increasing spending.
- [Moving to Where the Market is Going](https://fiplanpartners.com/moving-to-where-the-market-is-going/) - Every day as the market opens, we at Fi Plan Partners are trying to look ahead and see where the markets are heading. On Thursday, November 10th, the Wall Street Journal headlines read, “Fear of Double Dip in Housing.” Wow! For months now, we have been saying that we saw 2010 as part of a double dip recession. Don’t believe me? Go back and read our previous blogs. We still believe the banking industry has several problems ahead that are more than just housing loans.
- [The Next Victims of This Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-next-victims-of-this-economy/) - The next six months will reveal how severe the next wave of credit risk really is. We know that a second round of delinquencies and foreclosures related to Alt-A and Option-Arm loans are about to begin, along with the requirement in January that banks and other financials will have to bring “off balance sheet” entities onto their books. One of our main concerns in the recovery of this economy is that we are going to hear new phrases like “too small to bail” or “too weak to wait.”
- [Banks Brace for Bailout Fee](https://fiplanpartners.com/banks-brace-for-bailout-fee/) - The government's proposed fee on the banks because of their losses incurred from bailing out the "too big to fail" financial firms are structure the fee so that it can’t be passed along to bank customers. You got it. Those are the same customers whose tax dollars were used in the first place to bailout the financial service industry. the banks are already passing costs of new legislation onto their customers in regards to such areas as draft fees and credit cards.
- [On The Cusp of Sustainable Growth](https://fiplanpartners.com/on-the-cusp-of-sustainable-growth/) - One year ago, as the economy was in the depths of the recession and the stock market made the low for the decade, a frequently asked question had to do with buying gold. The question was not just about whether gold investment vehicles were a good investment, but whether to consider precious metals to stash
- [Goldman Sachs or Goldman Shenanigans: by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/goldman-sachs-or-goldman-shenanigans-by-greg-powell/) - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday, April 16th, hit Goldman Sachs with a civil fraud charge that alleges that Goldman duped clients by selling them a financial instrument designed by a hedge fund firm Paulson & Company. It is believed Paulson and Company made a $1 billion profit by betting on the deal’s downfall after creating the investments for Goldman Sachs.
- [Greece, China, and Repeating History, Sorta? by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/greece-china-and-repeating-history-sorta-by-greg-powell/) - On Friday, April 23, Greece asked its fellow Euro Zone countries and the IMF Fund to bail it out. The debate now begins regarding whether the requested $60 billion by Greece will solve the country’s problems or just delay the inevitable. Many are asking if Greece will tighten its belt and endure the years of economic pain needed to turn its economy around.
- [Social Security: How secure is it? by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/social-security-how-secure-is-it-by-greg-powell-3/) - Social Security was never intended to be the sole source of income for retirees and the disabled. The payroll taxes that finance Social Security are currently set at 6.2 percent, imposed on both the employee and the employer. There are also wage base caps, which are earnings above this amount and are exempt from payroll taxes for Social Security. There is no doubt that Social Security is a delicate topic with voters and politicians. Unfortunately, the funding does not cover the increase in the cost of benefits. The future doesn’t look bright for Social Security.
- [Taxes, Gasoline and Interest Rates: Which one will go up? by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/taxes-gasoline-and-interest-rates-which-one-will-go-up-by-greg-powell/) - As we enter the month of May, many Americans are starting to feel as though the economy is on it’s way to recovery. After all, corporate earnings have gone up and so has the stock market. The consumer has shown some interest in returning to their old spending habits which could help the economy of the good ol’ USA.
- [Goldman Sachs, the Fed and Risk by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/goldman-sachs-the-fed-and-risk-by-greg-powell/) - As we continue to watch the investigation unfold between Goldman Sachs and the Securities and Exchange Commission, one theme that continues to emerge is the phrase “managing risk.” Goldman Sachs executives have used this phrase often as they attempt to explain how their trading strategies should be viewed by Congressional leaders and investigators in this case. It may very well turn out that this phrase “managing risk” may be the phrase that sums up 2010.
- [Your Retirement, Your Fulfillment by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/your-retirement-your-fulfillment-by-greg-powell/) - How often have you sat at your desk and wondered how wonderful it would be to retire from your career and do what you want to do? You would be amazed how many times I have sat with people who are already retired and they inform me that they don’t like being retired. I especially see this in men regardless of age. After all, you can only fish, hunt, golf, and travel so much. All too often, even if someone is financially sound and does not have to work, they really just need a sabbatical from work instead of full retirement.
- ["I'm Graduating from College, Can You Give Me a Job?" by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/im-graduating-from-college-can-you-give-me-a-job-by-greg-powell/) - Every May I start receiving phone calls from the children and grandchildren of our clients who are graduating seniors in college still searching for their very first job. Needless to say, this year, with the economy recovering, the calls have increased. The outlook for finding a job isn’t that good if you are this close to graduation and still looking.
- [Market Pullback - Not a Financial Crisis by Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-pullback-not-a-financial-crisis-by-greg-powell/) - On Thursday, May 6, 2010, the stock market, as measured by the S&P 500, expanded its recent pullback with a vengeance as it dropped over 3% for the day after rallying from midday declines of almost 10%. While fear was certainly the undertone for the day, the big declines and subsequent rally happened all within an hour. Although the point damage was largely mitigated, uncertainty and concern remain entrenched in the market. While the catalyst for the large decline was attributed to an apparent trading error that triggered a technical selloff, it was the uncertain environment regarding the fiscal crisis of several countries in Southern Europe that has created the negative backdrop for the market.
- [Greece-ing" the Skids of Opportunity](https://fiplanpartners.com/greece-ing-the-skids-of-opportunity/) - After rising almost 9% in the first 66 days of 2010, the market abruptly changed direction on April 24, 2010. The reasons for pullbacks are never singularly focused, but are instead a combination of things. In this case, it was the market priced for perfection running into the emerging fiscal concerns of several European countries, which was enough to reverse the market’s sentiment and thus its direction. However, even if the economic impact of Europe’s issues become more widespread, the fact remains that the market’s assumption that the world is held hostage by the emerging difficulties in parts of Europe is misplaced. While there has been much focus on the negative effects of the crisis in Greece and other European nations, which are real concerns and real negative headwinds for the global economy, what the markets have not factored in is that positive events have also sprouted as a result of these issues.
- [The Economic Impact On the Gulf Coast](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-econcomic-impact-on-the-gulf-coast/) - Recently around the July 4 holiday, I had the opportunity to visit with clients in the Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach gulf coasts of Alabama. I heard their stories of how the BP oil spill has affected their lives and their businesses. Every night on the news we learn of the oil spill and the impact it has had on the fishing industry or on tourism business. The true reality is the rippling effect it has on all businesses like the dentist, the veterinarian, the clothing store owner, the hair stylist, the car dealer… the list goes on. Granted, the subprime mortgage meltdown has already devastated this region of the country in terms of contractors, real estate agents, bankers, and many home owners. Look at the pictures I have also posted with this blog. From July 5th through the evening of July 8th, this is how the beach looked before the cleanup crews arrived. Finally, at 10:00 p.m. on July 8th, I saw huge lights on the beach and proceeded down to the sight only to find cleanup workers.
- [Market Update: Market Provides Unwelcome Chill for Summer](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-update-market-provides-unwelcome-chill-for-summer/) - Now that August is behind us, the only certainty is that the market’s direction appears quite uncertain. The S&P 500 Index, a proxy for the market, has posted negative returns in three of the last four months, concluding with a drop of 4% in August. The economic backdrop has softened and the recession to recovery momentum has decelerated—or even in some areas reversed. After the S&P 500 Index peaked at a recovery high of 1217 in April, the market is now within shouting distance of the standard bear market definition of a 20% decline. Indeed, the warm summer months of 2010 have experienced a severe market chill.
- [Textbook September as Economy Passes Test](https://fiplanpartners.com/textbook-september-as-economy-passes-test/) - The first few days of September revealed much of what the economy did with its summer vacation. The economic data for the summer months through the end of August provided a report card that argues not for a return to recession, but instead for the return of slower—but stable—growth that often comes one year after the start of a recovery. The U.S. economy created 235,000 private jobs this summer (June through August), bringing the total to 763,000 jobs created through August of this year. As the time came to go back to school, it was also time for more people to go back to work. Students of market history know that September is a tough month for investors. In more than half of the years since 1950, the month of September has resulted in losses for the S&P 500 Index. This has taken place despite gains, on average, in the first few trading days of the month when the key economic data was released. In fact, when the first three trading days of September resulted in gains for the stock market, those gains were followed by losses over the rest of the month 60% of the time.*
- ["One and A Half Cents" on the Fourth Quarter](https://fiplanpartners.com/one-and-a-half-cents-on-the-fourth-quarter/) - 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 range during much of the quarter. Despite the strong gains in September, the stock market ended the third quarter not far from where it began the year. Investors may also look forward to the market posting gains by year-end as key drivers combine to lift stocks out of their third quarter trading range. Here is my “one-and-a-half cents” worth of insight on the potential positives investors are likely to see during October:
- [Washington and the Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/washington-and-the-markets/) - 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 the Bush tax cuts. Congress is likely to address the tax cuts in some way during the remainder of this year. Both parties risk a huge backlash if no action is taken and all tax rates revert to higher levels, which puts pressure on the 70% of the economy that is driven by consumer spending. Congress is likely to pass a one- or two-year extension of all the Bush tax cuts during the lame duck session, but it is a close call.
- [The Only Things Certain in Life are Death and Taxes... Really?](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-only-things-certain-in-life-are-death-and-taxes-really/) - I think that we can certainly put the second part of that phrase to rest forever with all of the tax focus out of Washington over the past 24 hours. As we often say in our office and is true of in all of our lives, the “land of uncertainty” is just a difficult place to have your address. The markets, of course, are no different.
- [Like Doppler Radar, The Markets are Sweeping for Storm Clouds](https://fiplanpartners.com/like-doppler-radar/) - 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.
- [Memo To Congress... Just Do It!](https://fiplanpartners.com/memo-to-congress-just-do-it/) - 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
- [Markets Are Hitting the "Snooze" Button Today Before A Significant Amount of Economic Data Next Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-are-hitting-the-snooze-button/) - The markets opened flat this morning on a quiet news day. Not so for next week, where the market will be “fully focused” on a significant amount of economic data. Metrics on inflation, housing, manufacturing, retail sales and leading indicators will all be coming out next week. Market expectations for next week are high, with about 85% of the data pointing towards acceleration in the aforementioned categories versus prior months. For today, there is not much out there to move markets one way or another, with only international trade and consumer sentiment numbers available. Here are four items that we were discussing in our offices this morning that we thought that our readers would be interested in:
- [Who Is Busier This Week, Santa's Elves or Market Data Producers?](https://fiplanpartners.com/who-is-busier-this-week-santas-elves-or-market-data-producers/) - With two weeks to go until Christmas, the elves involved in “supply chain management” at the North Pole don’t have much on the folks that are charged with releasing economic data this week that will drive the markets. Although no United States economic reports are due out today, the rest of the week is extremely busy for such releases. Manufacturing sector reports for December come out along with November retail sales and leading economic indicators. As we informed you last week, the expectation is that 85% of this week’s economic reports are expected to show acceleration from the prior month. Here are four major items that we were discussing in the office this morning and that we are following closely for our readers:
- [Santa's Sleigh is Filling Up for the Road Trip, But Not with Electronics](https://fiplanpartners.com/santas-sleigh-is-filling-up-for-the-road-trip-but-not-with-electronics/) - 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&P 500 still managed to open higher despite the Best Buy performance warning. Traders were not very active early in the day, with focus on the Federal Reserve and their plans for bond purchases. Today is also the first day of a busy data week that the markets will be closely following. Around the office this morning, we were discussing four major items that we thought would be of particular interest to our readers:
- [No Switches or Lumps of Coal from the Federal Reserve](https://fiplanpartners.com/no-switches/) - During this Christmas season, sometimes it’s nice to have “advanced knowledge” of at least one gift under the tree. As expected, there were no bad surprises for the market from the Federal Reserve’s Tuesday afternoon FOMC meeting, the last one for 2010. The market gained early on strong retail sales and the overall favorable economic data, but the end result for equities was a flat session when an improving growth outlook put upward pressure on interest rates. As of this morning, the market is showing weakness on the potential of a Spanish debt downgrade. Asian markets are mostly lower this morning, although Japan is holding up. Here are four items that we were discussing in our offices this morning and thought would be of interest to our readers:
- [Just Like Students Out for Christmas Break, There are No Economic "Report Cards" Today](https://fiplanpartners.com/just-like-students-out-for-christmas-break-there-are-no-economic-report-cards-today/) - In contrast to last week’s busy economic data reporting, Monday will have no scheduled U.S. economic reports. Friday’s flat market, as measured by the S&P 500, produced a small gain for last week. There was a higher open Monday morning despite another flare-up overnight on the Korean peninsula. The French Finance Minister’s statement that debt restructuring was not on the Eurozone’s agenda likely helped sentiment. Further, European markets were up in mid-day trading, perhaps a sign the market has discounted expected ratings downgrades which have been in the news. Commodities prices are broadly higher this morning even without help from the dollar, which is up marginally.
- [Merry Christmas!](https://fiplanpartners.com/merry-christmas/) - Merry Christmas! We will resume our daily Market Blogs on January 3, 2011. We made this Christmas video message below for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjZL5Rt6Paw
- [A Strong Start to the New Year from Around the World](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-strong-start-to-the-new-year-from-around-the-world/) - 1/04/2011: 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. Now, this is the way to get a New Year started! Positive data from all parts of the globe has given the markets a strong start to 2011. Solid manufacturing surveys from both the United States and Europe, coupled with evidence that China’s growth is moderating, sparked a strong stock market rally on the first trading day of 2011. All ten S&P sectors rose Monday, although Consumer Staples posted just a .2% gain after Clorox lowered guidance. The CRB Commodities index rallied over 1% on gains in energy and metal prices.
- [A Strong ADP Jobs Report is the Focus this Morning](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-strong-adp-jobs-report-is-the-foucs-this-morning/) - 1/05/2011: 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. Where stocks were somewhat lower Tuesday as the market took a “breather” to digest some of December’s gains, this morning those losses have been largely pared back (but not entirely) due to a strong ADP jobs report. The ADP survey revealed that private sector employers added 297,000 jobs in December, the largest monthly gain in the 10-year history of the series. What was most exciting to us here at Fi Plan about the ADP report was that small businesses added to payrolls for the tenth consecutive month in December, the longest stretch of gains since mid-2007 (pre-recession).
- [A Mixed Bag of Data Reports Causes a Flat Open to the Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-mixed-bag-of-data-reports-causes-a-flat-open-to-the-markets/) - 1.06.2011: 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. While retailers’ same-store sales and a slight increase in jobless claims were somewhat disappointing at first glance, the market remains flat this morning due to the fact that the data on both of these metrics were in line with expectations. Markets overseas are broadly higher this morning aided by two primary factors: (1) Germany’s economic numbers are strong, and (2) Asian markets are reacting favorably to yesterday’s data from the United States. Financials led the sector rankings yesterday as strength in banks and credit card stocks were aided by a steeper yield curve as long-dated Treasuries sold off and optimism increased that loan demand is beginning to pick up again. By contrast, the rising interest rates impacted the Utilities sector negatively, causing it to be the only sector in the red yesterday.
- [Portuguese Bond Auction Powers a Strong Opening this Morning](https://fiplanpartners.com/portuguese-bond-auction-powers-a-strong-opening-this-morning/) - 1/12/11: 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 U.S. markets are once again looking to Europe this morning, with the “latest test” being passed with the Portuguese bond auction going well. Further, talk of an expanded rescue fund is also helping investor sentiment. More such events in Europe are yet to come, but his morning’s favorable news is pushing equities and commodities solidly higher. Industrial metals and agricultural commodities are leading the way, while gold and crude are near unchanged.
- [Stocks Open Lower this Morning on China Rate Hike Fears](https://fiplanpartners.com/stocks-open-lower-this-morning-on-china-rate-hike-fears/) - 1/20/11: 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. Stocks opened lower this morning based largely in concerns that China’s accelerating growth could lead to rate hikes. However, lower jobless claims domestically helped futures stabilize and “pare back” some of the losses driven by the Chinese data. Reaction to the latest batch of earnings news has been mixed. As far as these earnings are concerned, elevated expectations are becoming evident as slight revenue misses or in-line guidance are being greeted coldly by the market’s recent ascent. European markets followed Asia down overnight. Commodities are mostly lower on the news from China coupled with the dollar moving higher.
- [Flat Market Open this Morning Ahead of a Busy Earnings Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/flat-market-open-this-morning-ahead-of-a-busy-earnings-week/) - 1/24/11: 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. U.S. markets opened virtually unchanged this morning as the market awaits a “mixed bag” of earnings reports, the FOMC meeting, the President’s State of the Union address and fourth quarter GDP numbers. On the earnings front, over 25% of the S&P will report this week. Also this morning, European stocks dipped on political uncertainty in Ireland and mixed Eurozone PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) readings. Japanese markets moved higher while the rest of Asia was slightly lower. Crude is down more than a dollar to $88 following the Saudi Oil Minister’s comments that more OPEC supply may be on the way, while natural gas, precious metals and agricultural commodities are solidly higher.
- [U.S. Stocks Open Flat this Morning Following Mixed Data](https://fiplanpartners.com/u-s-stocks-open-flat-this-morning-following-mixed-data/) - 1/27/11: 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. Higher jobless claims and S&P’s lowered rating on Japan’s long term-debt weighed on markets this morning. However, some positive earnings news and higher durable goods orders are keeping the averages near the flat line. Gains in the mining sector are giving European markets a lift, while Asian stocks were mixed with China and Japan higher and Hong Kong lower. Crude oil is down slightly, while metals and most agriculture commodities are higher.
- [The Dow Attempts to Make it Eight Straight Up” Days](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-dow-attempts-to-make-it-eight-straight-up-days/) - 2/9/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened lower this morning as the Dow attempts to make it eight straight “up” days. Earnings will remain “front and center” today, following well-received numbers from several members of the S&P 500 Index. Bernake’s congressional budget testimony will also garner market attention with nothing noteworthy on the economic calendar besides this afternoon’s 10-year Treasury note auction. European markets edged slightly lower from 29-month highs, while Chinese shares fell a day after its third interest rate hike since October. Middle East unrest and tightening domestic supplies are lifting crude prices this morning, while gold is steady and agricultural commodities are solidly higher.
- [Technology Weighed Heavy on the Market Today](https://fiplanpartners.com/technology-weighed-heavy-on-the-market-today/) - 2/10/11: 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. Technology is weighing on the market open this morning after disappointing results were reported by a tech bellwether. Meanwhile, results from one of the beverage giants also came up short of analysts’ expectations, providing a disappointing earnings backdrop for today’s trading session. Sharply lower weekly jobless claims provided a bit of good news. Earnings are also weighing on Europe, while in the Asian markets the Hang Seng fell about 2% as inflation concerns in China persist. Most key commodity prices are lower, including crude, copper, gold and silver, putting some incremental pressure on global equity markets.
- [Market's Closed Today. New Blog Tomorrow. Any Questions?](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-closed-today-new-blog-tomorrow-any-questions/) - 2/21/11: Markets are closed today for Presidents Day. New blog tomorrow when the Markets reopen. Do you all have any questions? Email me here. Greg Powell, CIMA President/CEO Wealth Consultant
- [Oil Spikes $6 Higher on Libyan Violence](https://fiplanpartners.com/oil-spikes-6-higher-on-libyan-violence/) - 2/22/11: 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. This morning I am reminded of the Beatles song, "Revolution" as U.S. stock investors returned from the three-day weekend to see crude more than $6 higher (back to highs for the year) as violence in oil-rich Libya prompted fears of disruption to oil supplies. Concerns that unrest will spread to other oil-producing nations and that skyrocketing oil prices will curb economic growth are weighing on equities globally. Mideast tension is offsetting well-received results and an upbeat outlook from a large national retailer. European and Asian markets were lower on Mideast concerns and higher oil prices, with Japan’s Nikkei lower for the first time in seven sessions. Precious metals are attracting safe-haven bids despite a higher dollar, led by silver’s 3% jump, while growth concerns are weighing on copper and key agriculture commodities.
- [Is the End Near for Labor Unions?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-the-end-near-for-labor-unions/) - 2/23/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened near unchanged this morning after a failed rally attempt. Not surprisingly, market participants will again keep their focus squarely on tensions in North Africa and the Middle East and its impact on energy markets. Earlier this morning, gains in futures were erased as geopolitical risk offset bargain hunting. Technology will get at least some attention today after a well-known sector provider trimmed its 2011 sales outlook. Retailers may also garner some attention after a solid increase in weekly same-store sales and several positive earnings reports. European markets were lower on global growth concerns and hawkish Bank of England comments, while major Asian markets were lower with the exception of Shanghai. U.S. crude futures climbed to fresh 2 ½-year highs near $97 after several oil companies stopped operations in Libya. Elsewhere on the commodity front, silver and gold are higher while copper, wheat and corn are lower.
- [Bahrain Could be the “Canary in the Coal Mine”](https://fiplanpartners.com/bahrain-could-be-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine/) - 3/01/11: 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. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernake is on Capitol Hill today, the first leg of his two-day testimony on monetary policy and the economy. The “Senate leg” of the testimony began this morning, with tough questions expected on QE2, inflation and the economic recovery. Even tougher questioning could come tomorrow when he presents to the House. The Chairman will likely “chime in” on Congress’ lack of substantive progress in addressing the nation’s budget deficit. As far as the markets are concerned, the focus will remain on the Middle East and North African unrest and the subsequent impact on oil markets. Both Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude are up nearly 1% this morning with escalating tensions in Iran and some in Saudi Arabia garnering attention. Overseas equity markets are mixed after China’s PMI decelerated as expected. Japan and Hong Kong are higher, but the European DAX is lower.
- [How One Might Tell Which Direction the Market is Moving](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-one-might-tell-which-direction-the-market-is-moving/) - Moving Stock Market Truck3/02/11: 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 “tug of war” between economic data painting a picture of a firming U.S. economy on the one hand and heightened geopolitical risk on the other will continue today. Score one point for firming data, as the just-released ADP employment report, a prelude to Friday’s government payroll data, showed strong job gains. Major markets around the world fell overnight, with oil importer Japan hit especially hard with losses of over 2%. U.S. crude is up 1% to near $101, while most agriculture commodities are higher and silver continues to attract safe-haven buying as supply concerns persist.
- [Your Stocks Are “Fighting Off” Another Jump in Oil this Morning](https://fiplanpartners.com/your-stocks-are-fighting-off-another-jump-in-oil-this-morning-2/) - 3/7/11: 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. U.S. crude is up over 1% this morning to near $106, while European Brent crude is over $117 as fighting in Libya continues to disrupt supplies and increase oil’s risk premium. So far this morning, though, higher oil prices have not been enough to prevent stocks from achieving early gains. Some positive corporate news including acquisition reports and bullish analyst comments are helping sentiment at the open. European markets are higher in mid-day trading overseas, while Asian markets were mixed. The Shanghai Composite closed solidly higher on the government’s economic outlook, while Japan’s Nikkei lost nearly 2% due to a combination of high oil prices, the resignation of a key government official and S&P’s downgrade of a major automotive manufacturer’s debt. Precious metals are getting a strong safe-haven bid, led by silver’s continued surge, while agriculture commodities are higher across the board on ongoing supply concerns.
- [Are We Currently Seeing a Possible Return to Stagflation?](https://fiplanpartners.com/are-we-currently-seeing-a-possible-return-to-stagflation-2/) - 3/08/11: 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 had a mixed open this morning as market participants continue to look overseas for signals. Early gains in futures were mostly erased by the time the U.S. equity market opened this morning as oil pared early losses. Investors will likely continue to take cues from Libya and its oil-rich neighbors with West Texas Intermediate crude over $105 per barrel. This morning’s volatility in oil prices was driven by speculation that more supply from OPEC was forthcoming. European stocks were up marginally in mid-day trading overseas as the euro weakened versus the greenback, while Asian markets were higher on news that China had opted to ease reserve requirements at certain banks.
- [Could a Pay Raise Be In Store for Stockholders This Year?](https://fiplanpartners.com/could-a-pay-raise-be-in-store-for-stockholders-this-year/) - 3/9/11: 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. We were discussing this morning that this is the two-year anniversary of the start of the bull market that has seen the S&P essentially double from March 2009 lows. We were not able to celebrate with a very “inspiring” birthday party in the form of the U.S. equities open this morning. Markets are digesting yesterday’s gains while continuing to focus on geopolitical risk in the Middle East and North Africa along with the latest eurozone debt “flare up.” Portugal paid a high price to sell two-year bonds, exacerbating recent worries in peripheral Europe. Some corporate headlines may garner attention in the absence of market-moving data, including a major health care provider’s IPO preparation and a well-known technology company’s mid-quarter update. Also in the corporate arena, there is some telecom merger speculation. European stocks had an upward bias helped by some merger news, while the Hong Kong and Japanese stock markets closed with modest gains. On the commodities front, geopolitically-sensitive crude and precious metals are higher, as are key grains ahead of tomorrow’s monthly agriculture inventories report.
- [How Just 2% of Global Oil Production Could Impact Your Wallet?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-just-2-of-global-oil-production-could-impact-your-wallet/) - 3/10/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened lower this morning following higher jobless claims and mounting growth concerns in Europe and China. Although slowing Chinese exports gave the economy some oil relief, worries about peripheral Europe after Moody’s Spanish debt downgrade and concerns about the potential impact of a more pronounced Chinese slowdown are weighing on global equity markets this morning. Meanwhile, higher weekly jobless claims added to the bearish tone. The weak Chinese trade data, which tends to be volatile early in the year around the Chinese New Year, is pressuring copper and other key commodities and weighing on mining stocks. The Nikkei closed 1.5% lower, while European stocks were down about 1% in mid-day trading overseas. Agriculture prices are under pressure after a monthly government supply report, while metals are down on China rumors.
- [Stocks are Taking “Body Blows” From Several Different Directions](https://fiplanpartners.com/stocks-are-taking-body-blows-from-several-different-directions/) - 3/11/11: 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. Stocks fell globally after one of the biggest earthquakes in history hit Japan overnight. The quake, which left hundreds dead, has done significant damage to the country’s infrastructure. The news rattled overseas investors, sending the Nikkei down sharply and most key international stock indexes down more than 1% as market participants assess potential economic disruption. Meanwhile, a slight uptick in Chinese inflation data also weighed on global sentiment, while the government’s measure of U.S. retail sales came in right in line with expectations and generated little reaction. U.S. crude is down about three dollars on Asian growth concerns and a quiet “Day of Rage” in Saudi Arabia.
- [How Will Events in Japan Impact Your Investments?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-will-events-in-japan-impact-your-investments/) - 3/14/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened lower this morning as markets continue to assess the economic impact of the devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The long list of investor worries, including unrest in the Mideast and North Africa, high oil prices, the ongoing European debt crisis and China’s slowdown, just got longer. The Nikkei lost more than 6% in its first session since the quake hit, while the rest of Asia actually mustered modest gains. European stocks are lower in mid-day trading overseas, with insurers and some Asia-exposed luxury retailers down on Japan concerns. Oil is down about 1% on demand concerns and relative quiet in the Mideast, while safe-haven buying lifted gold.
- [Stocks Plummet Around the World as Nuclear Fallout Drives Panic Selling](https://fiplanpartners.com/stocks-plummet-around-the-world-as-nuclear-fallout-drives-panic-selling/) - 3/15/11: 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. Japanese stocks fell more than 10% overnight as the risk of nuclear fallout increased substantially and investors price in their worst fears – that radioactive material reaches Tokyo. While the area directly affected by the quake and tsunami accounts for a small amount of Japan’s GDP, the risk that radiation cannot be contained has market participants “shooting first and asking questions later.” Most global equity and commodities markets are down between 2% and 4%. Everything outside of Japan is secondary at this point, but there is an FOMC meeting today that is unlikely to bring material changes to the Fed’s previously stated intentions.
- [Will the US Reap Benefits from Japan's Rebuilding?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-the-us-reap-benefits-from-japans-rebuilding/) - 3/16/11: 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 U.S. stock market opened down slightly after a sharp bounce back in Japanese stocks overnight. The news flow out of Japan continues to spark fears as more reactor fires, threats of additional radiation leaks and risk of breaches of containment vessels have brought much of the Japanese economy to a halt. Nonetheless, buyers in Japan “stepped in” last night, sending the Nikkei up nearly 6% as many saw the market’s near 20% decline as an over-reaction. Japan’s rally helped the U.S. market open relatively quietly with only modest losses. Meanwhile, banks weighed on European markets following Moody’s Portuguese debt downgrade. Clashes in Bahrain boosted oil prices and fueled a return of safe-haven buying of gold, while speculation of rebuilding demand boosted copper.
- [From a market perspective, will Japan and Katrina be different?](https://fiplanpartners.com/from-a-market-perspective-will-japan-and-katrina-be-different/) - 3/17/11: 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. Despite further losses in Japanese markets last night of between one and two percent, the S&P opened solidly higher this morning Herculean efforts to contain reactor leaks continue while world financial leaders hold talks today to discuss ways to calm global markets. Meanwhile, the yen hovered near record highs against the dollar on speculation of repatriation of dollars into yen to fund reconstruction efforts. U.S. stocks took cues from European markets, which registered solid gains in the first half of their trading session. Europe benefited from strength in mining stocks and solid demand at a Spanish bond auction, while non-Japan Asia was mixed. Crude jumped about $2 as tensions in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain escalated, while agriculture and base metals rebounded strongly from earlier in the week.
- [Stocks are up and oil is down on the latest developments in Japan and Libya.](https://fiplanpartners.com/stocks-are-up-and-oil-is-down-on-the-latest-developments-in-japan-and-libya/) - 3/18/2011: 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. U.S. stocks opened solidly higher this morning as Japan has made some encouraging progress toward containing its radiation threat and the G-7 agreed to coordinated intervention to curb the yen’s rise. Meanwhile, crude oil is down slightly after getting whipsawed on news out of Libya. It started last night with the UN’s decision to implement a no-fly zone over the country, which drove crude higher, followed by Libya’s just announced ceasefire against rebel forces, which erased crude’s gains. These events have helped overshadow an increase in Japan’s nuclear alert level to 5 from 4 (on a scale of 7, where the U.S. reportedly already thought it should be), another 50 basis point increase in China’s reserve requirement ratio, and disappointing outlook from a major shoe retailer in part due to weakness in its Japanese business. While crude oil reversed early gains after Libyan officials announced a cease fire, agriculture prices are up solidly this morning on strong U.S. export activity and risk of flooding in the U.S. breadbasket.
- [How might the weekend’s events in Libya impact the markets?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-might-the-weekends-events-in-libya-impact-the-markets/) - 3/21/2011: 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. U.S. stocks opened solidly higher this morning on optimism that a nuclear catastrophe would be averted in Japan. News of a mega-merger in the Telecom sector is also helping sentiment. European and key Asian markets were solidly higher after heavy losses last week, although Japan’s market is closed for a holiday. On the commodities front, oil, gold, silver and corn are solidly higher while copper is under some modest selling pressure.
- [Has the Municipal Bond Market Returned to Full Health?](https://fiplanpartners.com/has-the-municipal-bond-market-returned-to-full-health/) - 3/22/11: 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 three-day market rally has taken a pause this morning, as stocks opened modestly lower after the S&P 500 had gained over 3% in the rally period. Concerns continue to ease regarding Japan’s efforts to contain radioactive leaks while market participants are shrugging off the potential economic and earnings impact of Japanese disruption, unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and resulting high oil prices. European stocks were right around the flat line in mid-day trading overseas, while the Nikkei rallied 4% following a three-day holiday weekend. Most key commodities are seeing modest selling pressure this morning, with the exception of copper. Today is a quiet day for economic data with only weekly retail sales metrics coming out.
- [Is Yemen the Next Major Market Problem?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-yemen-the-next-major-market-problem/) - 3/23/11: 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. Stocks are down slightly this morning at the open as market participants continue to follow headlines out of Japan, Libya and Portugal. Cost estimates for the rebuilding effort in Japan are being reported in the range of $300 billion, well above initial forecasts. Gadhafi is not backing down as fighting in Libya continues. Meanwhile, a vote on austerity measures in Portugal will keep European markets – mixed overnight – on edge. Asian markets were also mixed, with Japan losing 2%, half of its previous day’s gains, but Chinese stocks were solidly higher. As we will discuss in more detail below, unrest in Yemen is putting additional upward pressure on crude, now over $105, while key metals are higher as well.
- [The World Turns It's Focus to Portugal and Spain... Again](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-world-turns-its-focus-to-portugal-and-spain-again/) - 3/24/11: 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. This morning’s tone is similar to yesterday in that there is not much good news, yet stocks are moving higher anyway. A weak durable goods report, jobless claims in line with expectations, higher oil prices and the ouster of Portugal’s prime minister have pared but not erased overnight gains. Some well-received earnings reports from the Technology sector and gains overseas are helping, but that’s about it for positive headlines. That risky assets continue to get a bid suggests market participants by and large see the global economic recovery as on track despite the disaster in Japan and turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. European stocks were slightly higher in mid-day trading overseas, while Asian markets were mixed. On the commodities front, oil and gold are flat, agriculture commodities are mixed, and silver is at another new high.
- [What Do the Federal Reserve and the Kardashians Now Have in Common?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-do-the-federal-reserve-and-the-kardashians-now-have-in-common/) - 3/25/11: 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. Stocks edged higher this morning following strong earnings from two key technology companies. An upward revision to last quarter’s GDP figures and a slight dip in oil prices are also helping the tone at the open, along with technicians applauding the S&P 500’s break above its 50-day moving average. European stocks are higher in mid-day trading overseas despite Portugal’s struggles as concerns that Spain might be next have remained contained. Asian markets were broadly higher, including a more than 1% gain for the Nikkei and the Hang Seng. Crude is down about 50 cents to $105, but otherwise commodities are broadly higher. Agriculture commodities are getting a lift from more domestic, weather-driven supply concerns.
- [Is Your Recent Stock Portfolio Strength a Surprise?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-your-recent-stock-portfolio-strength-a-surprise/) - 3/30/11: 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. Stocks opened higher this morning after ADP reported just over 200,000 jobs were added in March, hopefully a precursor to a number at least that good from the government on Friday. Strong gains overseas are helping our market’s open, as the German DAX was up more than 1% in mid-day trading while Japan and Hong Kong closed higher by 2.6% and 1.7%, respectively. China’s main stock index fell, however, on worries over further monetary tightening. Gold and silver are higher this morning amid support from geopolitical risk and European sovereign debt woes. Key agriculture commodities are mostly higher ahead of tomorrow’s prospective plantings report and copper is lower on overseas growth concerns.
- [How is the last day of first quarter 2011 looking for your portfolio?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-is-the-last-day-of-first-quarter-2011-looking-for-your-portfolio/) - 3/31/11: 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 last day of the year’s quarter is opening with little fanfare. This morning’s open is quiet, with stocks down marginally and little news to react to at the macro level as traders await tomorrow’s “double dose” of key economic reports. European stocks were lower on caution ahead of the release of Irish bank stress test results, while the Japanese market posted modest gains on the yen’s pause and reports of restored manufacturing facilities. China’s main stock index closed lower, taking a breather after a solid rebound from March lows. Oil is nearly 2% higher on ongoing Mideast turmoil, while copper and precious metals are moving higher as well. Agriculture prices are mostly higher immediately following the USDA prospective plantings report, which suggested a still tight supply picture in the coming months.
- [Stocks are Getting Second Quarter 2011 Started On a Good Note](https://fiplanpartners.com/stocks-are-getting-second-quarter-2011-started-on-a-good-note/) - 4/1/11: 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. After one of the best first quarters since 1998, stocks are getting the second quarter started favorably following better-than-expected economic data. The U.S. economy added 230,000 private jobs in
- [Will the Federal Budget Discussions This Week Move the Markets?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-the-federal-budget-discussions-this-week-move-the-markets/) - 4/4/11: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 Nitty Gritty Details: 1. The bulls are continuing to push stocks higher this morning, reflecting a firming global economic picture and some merger news overseas. Markets will continue to
- [What is Happening That Could Cause Your Shares to Surge?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-happening-that-could-cause-your-shares-to-surge/) - 4/5/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Today was set up to be another slow news day for the markets with just the FOMC minutes and the ISM Services report on the
- [Your Stocks Might be Impacted by a Government Shutdown](https://fiplanpartners.com/your-stocks-might-be-impacted-by-a-government-shutdown/) - 4/06/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. and Chinese optimism is driving stocks and commodities higher this morning. Favorable news on the American economy, increased M&A activity and an upcoming earnings
- [Will Next Week’s Big Economic Data Releases Be Impacted by the Government Shutdown?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-next-weeks-big-economic-data-releases-be-impacted-by-the-government-shutdownwill-next-weeks-big-economic-data-releases-be-impacted-by-the-government-shutdown/) - 4/08/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Relief that Thursday’s strong aftershock in Japan did not inflict major damage and gains in resource stocks are lifting the major averages slightly this morning.
- [First Quarter Earnings Per Share (EPS) Could be the Highest First Quarter Ever](https://fiplanpartners.com/first-quarter-earnings-per-share-eps-could-be-the-highest-first-quarter-ever/) - 04/11/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened higher this morning despite another Japanese aftershock as investors turn their attention squarely toward first quarter earnings season. The ongoing battle over
- [In An Important Market Signal, the Fed is Playing Down Inflation this Morning](https://fiplanpartners.com/in-an-important-market-signal-the-fed-is-playing-down-inflation-this-morning/) - 4/12/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened lower this morning, following foreign markets down after additional aftershocks and an upgraded nuclear crisis level caused concerns in Japan to intensify.
- [Greg Powell Speaks on a Panel Discussions on Current Healthcare Legislation](https://fiplanpartners.com/greg-powell-speaks-on-a-panel-discussions-on-current-healthcare-legislation/) - 4/12/11 The Vestavia Chamber of Commerce in Birmingham, AL hosted a panel discussion on the current Healthcare legislation with Fi Plan Partner's President and CEO Greg Powell, Brookwood Medical Center President and CEO Gary Gause, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield Vice President, Legal Services Mike Patterson. With a record crowd in attendance, Jack Nelson,
- [What Impact is the Debt Ceiling Battle Having on the Stock Market?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-impact-is-the-debt-ceiling-battle-having-on-the-stock-market/) - 4/13/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks are getting a lift this morning from gains in overseas markets, solid retail sales and commodities strength. A major bank’s earnings numbers were
- [What Will Be the Impact of Today’s Vote on the 2011 Budget Omnibus Spending Bill?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-will-be-the-impact-of-todays-vote-on-the-2011-budget-omnibus-spending-bill/) - 4/14/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened lower this morning on renewed concerns about European debt issues as well as likely further tightening in China. Higher weekly jobless claims are also weighing on
- [The S&P’s Negative Outlook on U.S. Debt](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-sps-negative-outlook-on-u-s-debt/) - April 18, 2011: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Futures were already down several points this morning following an increase in China’s reserve requirements and the market’s ongoing focus on Europe’s debt
- [Earnings Had Stocks Flying High This Morning](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-had-stocks-flying-high-this-morning/) - 4/20/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Solid earnings, most notably from the Tech sector, are providing the formula for a very strong open this morning for U.S. stocks. The impressive results
- [The Economy's 1st Quarter Report Card Might Look Worse Than It Is](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-economys-1st-quarter-report-card-might-look-worse-than-it-is/) - 4/25/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: The S&P 500 was flat this morning ahead of existing home sales data and following some mixed earnings news. Two of the biggest challenges for
- [Earnings Are Giving Stocks Another Lift](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-are-giving-stocks-another-lift/) - 4/26/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Wall Street opened slightly higher this morning ahead of the start of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting and tomorrow’s first-ever post-meeting press conference by Chairman
- [Friday’s Economic Data is “Fed Friendly”](https://fiplanpartners.com/fridays-economic-data-is-fed-friendly/) - 4/29/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened flat this morning following consumer income and spending data that showed a continued slow pace in consumer spending. Today’s economic calendar also
- [Some Possible Market Implications of Osama bin Laden’s Death](https://fiplanpartners.com/some-possible-market-implications-of-osama-bin-ladens-death/) - 5/02/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened higher this morning after yesterday’s news that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan. In
- [Fed Interest Rate Hike Expectations Have Declined Sharply](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-interest-rate-hike-expectations-have-declined-sharply/) - 5/03/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Stocks opened slightly lower this morning as further weakness in natural resource stocks and mixed earnings news from several key energy, healthcare and consumer product
- [Portugal Gets a Bailout Deal](https://fiplanpartners.com/portugal-gets-a-bailout-deal/) - 5/04/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened marginally lower this morning after ADP reported 179,000 private sector jobs were created last month, slightly below expectations near 200,000. Other noteworthy
- [Will Rising Wages in China Have Impact on Prices in the U.S.?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-rising-wages-in-china-have-impact-on-prices-in-the-u-s/) - 5/9/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened flat this morning while commodities, after last week’s selloff, are staging a solid recovery. Earnings reports are unlikely to provide a catalyst for stocks – in
- [Mergers and Acquisitions Are Back!](https://fiplanpartners.com/mergers-and-acquisitions-are-back/) - 5/10/11: 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 major averages are higher this morning following strong Chinese export data, a successful Greek debt auction and more M&A activity. The strong open has the S&P 500 poised
- [The U.S. Economy is Currently Benefitting From an Export Boom](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-u-s-economy-is-currently-benefitting-from-an-export-boom/) - 5/11/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: The S&P 500’s attempt for four up days in a row is not off to a promising start. Stocks opened slightly lower this morning on
- [Despite The News, Why Has the Health Care Sector Performed So Well This Year?](https://fiplanpartners.com/despite-the-news-why-has-the-health-care-sector-performed-so-well-this-year/) - 5/12/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: The broad averages are lower this morning as the correction in natural resources continues while the US dollar holds firm. Commodity prices are lower across
- [Consumer Price Inflation Continues to Move Higher](https://fiplanpartners.com/consumer-price-inflation-continues-to-move-higher/) - 5/13/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Global markets rose overnight following upbeat German and French GDP data, which helped provide some early support for equities as well as commodities. But early
- [The Potential Impact If The Debt Ceiling Is Not Raised](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-potential-impact-if-the-debt-ceiling-is-not-raised/) - 5/16/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Stocks will attempt to reverse course this week after falling the two prior weeks – and four out of the past six. Nonetheless, the S&P
- [Corporate Bonds Remain Resilient](https://fiplanpartners.com/corporate-bonds-remain-resilient/) - 5/17/11: 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. Some relative calm overseas contributed to gains in U.S. stock futures early this morning. However, as the open approached and market participants digested the latest earnings news from a
- [Credit Card Trends Continue Steady Improvement](https://fiplanpartners.com/credit-card-trends-continue-steady-improvement/) - 5/18/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Stocks opened slightly higher this morning amid mixed earnings and commodities gains. After struggling yesterday on some disappointing company outlooks, results this morning are a
- [Treasury Yields At 2 Week High With the Benchmark 10-year Note Up](https://fiplanpartners.com/treasury-yields-at-2-week-high-with-the-benchmark-10-year-note-up/) - 5/19/11: 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. A sizable drop in initial jobless claims and gains overseas contributed to a strong open for the U.S. market this morning. Overseas markets are moving higher on strength in
- [Commodities Are Helping Stocks Regain Their Footing](https://fiplanpartners.com/commodities-are-helping-stocks-regain-their-footing/) - 5/24/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened higher this morning after two Wall Street firms issued bullish commodities outlooks. After getting battered yesterday on Euro zone debt concerns, market
- [Bank Profits Were Up 66% Versus Q1 2010](https://fiplanpartners.com/bank-profits-were-up-66-versus-q1-2010/) - 5/26/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened near unchanged this morning, giving up early gains after first quarter GDP was not revised higher (as had been expected) and weekly
- [Personal Income and Spending Point to Continued Economic Growth](https://fiplanpartners.com/personal-income-and-spending-point-to-continued-economic-growth/) - 5/27/11: 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. In what is sure to be a low volume session ahead of the holiday weekend, stocks opened higher as market participants weigh the eurozone’s debt troubles, the recent soft
- [Memorial Day](https://fiplanpartners.com/memorial-day/) - 5/30/11: Fi Plan Partners would like to extend a warm holiday greetings to all the service men and women who faithfully serve our country both home and abroad. We are eternally indebted to those who put their lives on the line to insure our freedom to live, thrive and worship in a country that is
- [What Will Impact The Markets This Week?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-will-impact-the-markets-this-week/) - 5/31/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened solidly higher this morning following reports that a fresh Greece bailout may be forthcoming. Today’s economic calendar includes the S&P Case/Shiller Home Price Index and consumer
- [Despite Weak Economic Data, Corporate America Is Doing Just Fine](https://fiplanpartners.com/despite-weak-economic-data-corporate-america-is-doing-just-fine/) - 6/1/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: The market opened lower this morning after a surprisingly weak ADP jobs report. The report has not been a very good predictor of the government’s
- [Double-Dip Recession?](https://fiplanpartners.com/double-dip-recession/) - 6/2/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened slightly higher this morning as markets attempt to recover from Wednesday’s losses. Investors have several more data points to digest today to
- [Trouble Ahead for U.S. Treasury Rating?](https://fiplanpartners.com/trouble-ahead-for-u-s-treasury-rating/) - 6/03/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: The weak May jobs report, including a slight increase in the unemployment rate, drove stocks down more than 1% in early trading this morning. The
- [How Robust a Recovery Can Be Expected?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-robust-a-recovery-can-be-expected/) - 6/06/11: 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. U.S. stocks opened down marginally this morning amid persistent growth concerns. With a quiet week of economic data following last Friday’s flurry, and a lull in earnings news, the
- [Fed Chairman Bernake Will Speak On The Economic Outlook Tonight](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-chairman-bernake-will-speak-on-the-economic-outlook-tonight/) - 6/07/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened higher this morning as bargain hunters stepped in to stem the recent tide of market retreats. Helping sentiment this morning are reports
- [Bernake Sees Weakness in the U.S. Economy As Temporary](https://fiplanpartners.com/bernake-sees-weakness-in-the-u-s-economy-as-temporary/) - 6/08/11: 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. If stocks end today’s session where they started, the losing streak will reach six straight. There is little in the way of data to help assuage the market’s growth
- [Potential Catalysts To Move the Market Higher](https://fiplanpartners.com/potential-catalysts-to-move-the-market-higher/) - 6/09/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Bargain hunters are stepping in this morning and supporting stocks at the open. Last night’s profit warning from a major technology chipmaker is weighing on
- [Markets Remain Wary of the Global Economic Outlook Today](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-remain-wary-of-the-global-economic-outlook-today/) - 6/10/11: 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. Despite Thursday’s advance, markets remain wary of the global economic outlook this morning. Chinese export data and a rate hike from South Korea added to the market’s angst after
- [Will There Be GDP Growth This Year Or A Double-Dip Recession?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-there-be-gdp-growth-this-year-or-a-double-dip-recession/) - 06/13/11: 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. Stocks opened higher this morning despite some weakness overseas. Even with ongoing macro fears, the major averages rode some merger news to a higher beginning. Markets were able to
- [Meredith Whitney Revises Her Municipal Bond Outlook](https://fiplanpartners.com/meredith-whitney-revises-her-municipal-bond-outlook/) - 06/14/11: 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. Production data last night suggested that the fast-growing Chinese economy was not slowing as quickly as had been feared, sending U.S. stocks higher this morning despite another increase in
- [Are We Seeing A Pickup In Consumer Spending?](https://fiplanpartners.com/are-we-seeing-a-pickup-in-consumer-spending/) - 06/16/11: 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. While weaker-than-expected data was a catalyst for yesterday’s decline, a number of reports this morning came in better than expected. Data on jobless claims and housing starts and permits
- [Greece? What About The Debt Issue For The Rest Of Europe?](https://fiplanpartners.com/greece-what-about-the-debt-issue-for-the-rest-of-europe/) - 06/17/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Stocks were boosted this morning by comments from French President Sarkozy that hinted at a possible deal to resolve the Greek debt crisis. While a
- [Europe’s “Greece fire” Has Been Burning For Well Over A Year](https://fiplanpartners.com/europes-greece-fire-has-been-burning-for-well-over-a-year/) - 06/20/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: The market is mixed at the open on more “tough love” for Greece. EU finance ministers voted overnight to delay a July payment to Greece,
- [A Strong Market Open As Growth Fears Abate](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-strong-market-open-as-growth-fears-abate/) - 06/21/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Yesterday afternoon’s optimism that a solution for Greece short of default would be found is carrying over into this morning’s trading as U.S. stocks opened
- [Finally, Something for the Markets to Focus On Besides Greece](https://fiplanpartners.com/finally-something-for-the-markets-to-focus-on-besides-greece/) - 06/27/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Some positive news on the Greek debt front has helped provide some support to the markets this morning. However, this is being “countered” somewhat on
- [Do Weekly Retail Sales and Gas Prices Point To Economic Growth?](https://fiplanpartners.com/do-weekly-retail-sales-and-gas-prices-point-to-economic-growth/) - 06/28/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Equity investors digested yesterday’s gains while expressing some caution over Greece’s critical upcoming austerity vote, leading to a flattish open for U.S. stocks. Yesterday’s rally
- [How Would Austerity Measures In the United States Impact Our Economic Growth?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-would-austerity-measures-in-the-united-states-impact-our-economic-growth/) - 06/29/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Early gains were pared slightly, but stocks held most of their opening gains in the early minutes of trading after a successful Greek parliamentary vote
- [Was QE2 Successful? You Decide](https://fiplanpartners.com/was-qe2-successful-you-decide/) - 06/30/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Today is significant in that it marks the end of the Federal Reserve’s QE2 bond buying program as well as the end of the second
- [Happy Fourth of July!](https://fiplanpartners.com/happy-fourth-of-july/) - 5/30/11: Fi Plan Partners hopes that you and your family are having a wonderful fourth of July weekend. We are so thankful for the freedoms we celebrate in this great country. We are eternally grateful to the great men and women who have risked their lives to preserve the great ideals this country was founded
- [What Are the Options to Raising the Debt Ceiling?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-are-the-options-to-raising-the-debt-ceiling/) - 7/06/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: U.S. stocks opened lower this morning as Moody’s downgrade of Portugal’s credit rating to junk and China’s rate hike – though widely expected – triggered
- [How Are Oil And Gas Prices Impacting Recent Economic Data?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-are-oil-and-gas-prices-impacting-recent-economic-data/) - 7/08/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: As opposed to yesterday which was positive, stocks are having the opposite reaction to the government generated June jobs report this morning. In short, the
- [European Contagion Fears Have The Markets Edgy](https://fiplanpartners.com/european-contagion-fears-have-the-markets-edgy/) - 7/12/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Global markets rallied off overnight lows but are still broadly lower at the U.S. open this morning on European contagion fears (mostly Italy) and the
- [Chairman Bernanke Expected To Warn Congress In Two-Day Testimony](https://fiplanpartners.com/chairman-bernanke-expected-to-warn-congress-in-two-day-testimony/) - 7/13/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Stocks rose this morning around the world as China’s GDP growth beat consensus forecasts and some value hunters stepped in to capitalize on the 3%
- [Stocks Would Be Higher If...](https://fiplanpartners.com/stocks-would-be-higher-if/) - 8/1/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: After an early rally based in the Washington debt ceiling deal, stocks took a dive after July’s ISM manufacturing index came in at 50.9, its
- [Rumors of the President’s proposed stimulus package and tax cuts](https://fiplanpartners.com/rumors-of-the-presidents-proposed-stimulus-package-and-tax-cuts/) - 8/17/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Wall Street opened slightly higher this morning following several well-received earnings reports, offsetting higher-than-expected wholesale inflation data. Modest gains are also a function of continued
- [What It's Like To Be A Client At Fi Plan Partners](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-its-like-to-be-a-client-at-fi-plan-partners/) - 8/31/11: I'm Greg Powell, President and CEO of Fi Plan Partners, an independent financial planning and wealth management firm, and in this video blog post I explain what our clients experience when they work with us. It's easy for anyone to say, "We place a high priority on relationships and communication" so we'd like to
- [The markets have a “recession obsession”](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-markets-have-a-recession-obsession/) - 9/6/11 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 Nitty Gritty Details: Mounting European debt and U.S. recession fears are putting the markets under significant pressure this morning. Markets were down about 3% on concerns that there
- [3 Questions You Should Ask Your Financial Advisor](https://fiplanpartners.com/3-questions-you-should-ask-your-financial-advisor/) - Pulling from his 30 years in the financial industry, Greg Powell, CIMA, President/CEO/Wealth Advisor of Fi Plan Partners, gives you three crucial questions everyone should ask their financial advisor. If you would like to discuss any questions you have about your current situation, call Greg at (205) 989-3498 or toll free (888) 989-3498. You can
- [What is Bringing Market Momentum to An Abrupt Halt?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-bringing-market-momentum-to-an-abrupt-halt/) - 09/19/11: 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 Nitty Gritty U.S. stocks opened nearly 2% lower this morning as doubts re-emerge that Greece will be able to take the necessary actions to secure its next round
- [What is The Worst Mistake an Investor Can Make in This Economy?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-the-worst-mistake-an-investor-can-make-in-this-economy/) - 05/18/12: What is the worst mistake an investor can make in this economy? Greg Powell, CIMA, Pres/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners gives you that answer and steps you need to take to be proactive in this current economic climate. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions voiced
- [Here Is What Could Drive Financial Markets This Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/here-is-what-could-drive-financial-markets-this-week/) - 09/26/11: 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. Hopes that the next steps from Europe in its ongoing struggle to resolve its debt crisis would help reduce the risk of contagion are lifting stocks this morning in
- [The Worst Mistake A Business Owner Can Make In This Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-worst-mistake-a-business-owner-can-make-in-this-economy/) - 09/28/11: Business owners need to be aware that there are opportunities in this current economy. But what's the biggest mistake a business owner can make? Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant of Fi Plan Partners gives you several answers. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions voiced in this material
- [Global Markets Remain On Edge](https://fiplanpartners.com/global-markets-remain-on-edge/) - 10/3/11: 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 Nitty Gritty Details U.S. stocks opened lower on the first trading day of the fourth quarter as stocks attempt to reverse their recent slide. Greece said it will
- [How Proactive Has Your Advisor Been In This Current Market?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-proactive-has-your-advisor-been-in-this-current-market/) - 10/6/11: How proactive has your advisor been in this current economic downturn? Fi Plan Partners is a team of investment specialists who work hard at being proactive in order to win for their clients. Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners, explains how there is a better way to manage your money
- [Four interesting market developments to consider this week](https://fiplanpartners.com/four-interesting-market-developments-to-consider-this-week/) - 10.10.11: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four items impacting financial markets: 1. The Merkel, Sarkozy eurozone pledge is again short on details. On Sunday, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy made yet another pledge to take action to solve the
- [Earnings Season Adds Another Dynamic to the Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-season-adds-another-dynamic-to-the-markets/) - 10/17/11 In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on the general situation followed by four items impacting financial markets this coming week: U.S. stocks rose sharply over the past week, with the Nasdaq and Russell 2000 logging their biggest five-day gains since
- [What Happened to Your 401(k)?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-happened-to-your-401k/) - 10/19/11 Often people move from one job to the next leaving their 401(k) behind and never making it work for them. Wealth Consultant, Greg Powell, tells you what you should do with those old 401(k)s and how to make them work for you again. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions
- [Is Your Advisor Coordinating All Your Professionals In Your Life?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-your-advisor-coordinating-all-your-professionals-in-your-life/) - Spotlight Post: Most advisors will tell you how they can make money for you. What they don't do is address all the other relationships you have that relate to your financial life. At Fi Plan Partners, our team looks at the whole person and all their relationships, coordinating with the other professionals who work with their money in other ways.
- [Big News for Social Security Recipients](https://fiplanpartners.com/big-news-for-social-security-recipients/) - 10/28/11: For the first time since 2009, Social Security recipients will be receiving a long awaited cost of living increase. A benefit increase of 3.6% will begin in 2012 and for the individual who collects the average Social Security check of $1,082 it will increase by $38.95 per month or $467 a year. This improvement in monthly benefits will also be felt by Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. All toll, approximately 60 million Americans will experience a much needed addition to their wallet.
- [How Easy Is It To Move Your Investments To Fi Plan Partners?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-easy-is-it-to-move-your-investments-to-fi-plan-partners/) - 11/2/11 When faced with the decision to move your investments to a financial firm that can better protect and grow your wealth, many investors believe it will be difficult. This isn't the case with Fi Plan Partners. In this video Greg Powell explains how easy it is and the benefits of working with an independent investment firm.
- [What's Going to Impact the Markets This Week?](https://fiplanpartners.com/whats-going-to-impact-the-markets-this-week/) - 11/07/11: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four items impacting markets this coming week: Companies are increasing their capital spending. In a move that might signal the avoidance of a double-dip recession, major U.S. corporations have increased their capital investment
- [Occupy Wall Street and the Financial Crisis of Irresponsibility](https://fiplanpartners.com/occupy-wall-street-and-the-financial-crisis-of-irresponsibility/) - 11/9/11 Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners talks about the current financial crisis of irresponsibility and how there are opportunities even in the chaos. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information and are not intended to be specific advice.
- [The Key to Planning for Retirement](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-key-to-planning-for-retirement/) - 11.11.11: Over the years as a Financial Advisor and a Wealth Consultant, I’ve help many people transition into the glorious world of “RETIREMENT”. I’ve also seen that “retirement” means different things to different people. Retirement could mean finally having the financial ability to leave the job someone has had all of their adult life in
- [The Impact of the Jefferson County Bankruptcy](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-impact-of-jefferson-county-bankruptcy/) - 11.16.11: How could the bankruptcy of Jefferson County, AL impact you? Greg Powell, President/CEO of Fi Plan Partners explains the ramifications and potential affects this historic event can have on your investments.
- [How to Relieve Financial Stress](https://fiplanpartners.com/2643-2/) - 11/23/11 Do you have financial stress? Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners explains the key to relieving that stress. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information and are not intended to be specific advice. Any indices such as the
- [Can the Federal Reserve Save the Eurozone?](https://fiplanpartners.com/can-the-federal-reserve-save-the-eurozone/) - 11.28.11 In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four items impacting markets this coming week: The Eurozone is working on a plan to speed integration. Rather than going through an arduous treaty process involving all of its members that would be
- [Is this a “make or break” week for the Eurozone?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-this-a-make-or-break-week-for-the-eurozone/) - 12/5/11 In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four items impacting markets this coming week: 1. Europe is really “front and center” all week. Italy has already started us out this week by unveiling its austerity plan. With combined budgetary impact
- [Are You Ready For The Next Level of Financial Planning?](https://fiplanpartners.com/are-you-ready-for-the-next-level-of-financial-planning/) - 12/7/11 Are you ready for the next level of financial planning? Clients of Fi Plan Partners are at that level and Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant, explains how his organization is different from other financial institutions. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions voiced in this material are for
- [Four Charitable Giving Alternatives](https://fiplanpartners.com/four-charitable-giving-alternatives/) - 12/9/11 With the current economy, many people are finding themselves financially strapped this holiday season and it may not be the best time to reach into your already strained pockets for the benefit of others. But charities need more help than ever because there are more people in need and also because consumers tend to
- [“Take-aways” from the European Union summit on Friday?](https://fiplanpartners.com/take-aways-from-the-european-union-summit-on-friday/) - 12/12/11: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four major decisions that the European Union made Friday that could have impact on markets in the future: 1. The bailout fund reserve just doesn’t seem to be enough. Friday’s proposals commit the
- [Do You Know How and When You Are Going To Retire? - Financial Planning Advice](https://fiplanpartners.com/do-you-know-how-and-when-you-are-going-to-retire-financial-planning-advice/) - 12/14/11: Do You Know How and When You Are Going To Retire? Here is some financial planning advice from Greg Powell, CIMA, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners in Birmingham, AL. He explains the key to having a fulfilling retirement. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions voiced in
- [Possible Oil Embargo Pressure Is “Stepping Up” On Iran](https://fiplanpartners.com/possible-oil-embargo-pressure-is-stepping-up-on-iran/) - 12/20/11 In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four major decisions that could have impact on markets this week: Around our financial planning services and wealth management firm this week we are watching these four issues: 1. First, key data points
- [A Great Christmas Gift Idea for Your Kids](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-great-christmas-gift-idea-for-your-kids/) - 12/21/11 Looking for a teachable and life changing moment for your kids for Christmas? Greg Powell tells how one client gave his children stock certificates as a Christmas gift every year and how it changed their lives. Email Greg here with your feedback, comments, or questions. Note: The opinions voiced in this material are for general
- [Invest in Your Family](https://fiplanpartners.com/invest-in-your-family/) - 12/23/11: At Fi Plan Partners we believe the best investment you can make is in your family. Each team member of our financial planning and wealth management firm in this video share briefly a Christmas tradition they carry out each year as an investment in their family. Please let us know if you have any
- [The Value of a Good Relationship With Your Financial Advisor](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-value-of-a-good-relationship-with-your-financial-advisor/) - 12/28/11: Fi Plan Partners has built it's firm around relationships. We know our clients and our clients know us. When you are trusting someone with your finances, having a good relationship with your financial advisor is vital to reducing your anxieties about your financial future. Note: The opinions voiced in this material are for general
- [Financial Market Influences to Watch in the First Week of 2012](https://fiplanpartners.com/financial-market-influences-to-watch-in-the-first-week-of-2012/) - 01.03.12 Happy New Year to all of you! In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four major decisions that could have impact on markets this week: 1. First, key data points for a busy reporting week. Besides the obvious political focus
- [Investing with a Championship Team](https://fiplanpartners.com/investing-with-a-championship-team/) - 01.04.11: What does it mean to work with a championship team of investment specialists? Greg Powell, President/CEO and wealth consultant explains his teams philosophy of playing to win for their clients everyday. Email Greg here with comments and questions. Note: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information and are not intended to
- [What Could Place A Drag On Economic Recovery? This Week's Market Watch](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-could-place-a-drag-on-economic-recovery-this-weeks-market-watch/) - 01/09/12: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four major items that could have impact on markets this week: 1. A “week-in-a-glance” list of key data items over the next five days: Beginning today, the Federal Reserve issues consumer-credit data for
- [Does Your Financial Advisor Coordinate With Your CPA?](https://fiplanpartners.com/does-your-financial-advisor-coordinate-with-your-cpa/) - 01/11/12 To help our clients grow and protect their wealth, we work with CPA's to make sure they have a sound tax strategy. Greg Powell, CIMA, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant explains the advantages our clients have because of this approach in our unique financial planning process. Email Greg here with comments and questions. Note: The
- [Believe in a Better Retirement](https://fiplanpartners.com/believe-in-a-better-retirement/) - Do you believe there is a better way to plan for your financial future, with potentially less risk, better service and strategies designed to protect and grow your wealth? At Fi Plan Partners, we are different in the way we have an entire team of investment specialists to work with you. Greg Powell, President/CEO and
- [The Must Know Market News](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-must-know-market-news/) - 01/30/12: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's my opinion on four major decisions that could have impact on markets this week: First, here’s a “week-in-a-glance” list of key data items over the next five days. Beginning today, the U.S. reports on personal income
- [How to Prepare for a Lay Off](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-lay-off/) - 02/01/12: Are you concerned about losing your job or something happening to the company you work for? Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners talks about what you need to do to be financially ready before such an event occurs. If you have any questions or would like to talk with Greg,
- [Must Know Market News](https://fiplanpartners.com/must-know-market-news-2/) - 02/06/12: We hope that everyone had a good Super Bowl weekend! In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's our opinion on four major decisions that could have impact on markets and investors this week: 1. First, here’s a “week-in-a-glance” list of key data items
- [Tracking Trends in the Financial Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/tracking-trends-in-the-financial-markets/) - 02/08/12: Tracking trends in the financial markets is no easy task. At Fi Plan Partners we are constantly researching and monitoring the markets looking for opportunities for our clients. In this video, Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant talks about how he and his portfolio team find and track trends.
- [What Could Impact the Financial Markets this Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-could-impact-the-financial-markets-this-week/) - 02/13/12: First of all, we hope that everyone had a good weekend! In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's our opinion on four major decisions that could have impact on markets and investors this week: 1. Here’s a “week-in-a-glance” view of what’s coming up
- [Is It Time To Do A Little House Cleaning In Your Portfolio?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-it-time-to-do-a-little-house-cleaning-in-your-portfolio/) - 02/15/12: Every year it's good to take a hard look at your portfolio and determine if you need to do any financial house cleaning. Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners, has been talking with his clients about this. Watch to hear what he says to them. If you have any questions
- [Keeping Your Financial New Years Resolutions](https://fiplanpartners.com/keeping-your-financial-new-years-resolutions/) - 02/22/12: How are you doing with your New Years Financial Resolutions? Some studies show that 98% of people give up their resolutions by the end of March. Wealth Consultant, Greg Powell, CIMA tells you what to do to keep your resolutions. If you have any questions or concerns about your investments, email Greg here or
- [How to Choose an Attorney That is Right for You](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-choose-an-attorney-that-is-right-for-you/) - Over the years, the Fi Plan Partners staff has had considerable experience, both in this office and in other professional careers, of assisting our clients choose attorneys and watching the relationship “unfold.” We thought that we would share some practical advice outlined in the following steps that may be useful to you. Some may seem
- [This Weeks Must Know Market News](https://fiplanpartners.com/this-weeks-must-know-market-news/) - 02/27/12: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's our opinion on four major decisions that could have impact on markets and investors this week: 1. First, here’s a “week-in-a-glance” view of what’s coming up in the next five days. Beginning today, the National Association
- [3 Ways to Help Pay for Your Child's College Education](https://fiplanpartners.com/3-ways-to-help-pay-for-your-childs-college-education/) - 02/29/12: With college tuition on the rise, no parent desires to throw away money on their child's education. Here are three ideas you can implement to help pay for your child's college tuition and also encourage them to be a responsible student. This is the same advice Greg Powell, CIMA, President/CEO, Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners, gives to his clients.
- [7 Factors for the Best Banking Relationship Ever](https://fiplanpartners.com/7-factors-for-the-best-banking-relationship-ever/) - 03/02/12: Easy steps every banker wants you to take: As a former commercial lender in all sizes of banks for many years, I often have the privilege of working with our clients here at Fi Plan Partners to either establish, or enhance, their lending relationships. It’s always helpful to me in assisting their preparations to
- [Financial Markets Outlook: Federal Reserve, China and Stress Tests](https://fiplanpartners.com/financial-markets-outlook-federal-reserve-china-and-stress-tests/) - 03/05/12: It’s hard to believe that we are already doing our first financial markets update blog for the month of March, as it seems in many ways that 2012 just started. In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's our opinion on four major decisions
- [Political Rippling Affects on Financial Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/political-rippling-affects-on-financial-markets/) - 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
- [Doing Your Own Investing](https://fiplanpartners.com/doing-your-own-investing/) - 03/21/12: When people do their own investing, many times they can get over their head and lose large portions of money. This can cause stress on a marriage and other relationships. With over 30 years experience in the financial industry, Greg Powell, CIMA, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners, talks in this video
- [Is this the Beginning of the End of the Housing Market Crisis?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-the-housing-market-crisis/) - 03.22.12: In the markets, as in life, there are no guarantees but everyone is entitled to their opinion. Here's our opinion on four major decisions that could have impact on markets and investors: 1. First, here’s a “week-in-a-glance” view of what’s been happening. Monday through Wednesday has already given us a heavy “housing dose, “as
- [The “Tug of War” Between Stocks and Bonds](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-tug-of-war-between-stocks-and-bonds/) - 03/26/12: Good morning, everyone! We hope that you had a great weekend. As we always do at the beginning of the market week, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the next few days. These are just a few opinions that we have,
- [Rule 72t: Getting the 10% Penalty Waved on your IRA Withdrawal](https://fiplanpartners.com/getting-the-10-percent-penalty-waved-on-your-ira-withdrawal/) - 03/28/12: Rule 72t is unknown to most investors who are wanting to generate income from their retirement assets. Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant explains Rule 72t, how it works and the stipulations required so the 10% IRS penalty can be waved. Call or email Greg here if you have any questions or concerns about
- [This Week's Market Outlook](https://fiplanpartners.com/this-weeks-market-outlook/) - 04/02/12: Are we about to have a significant increase in M&A activity? We hope that you had a great weekend. As we always do at the beginning of the market week, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the next few days. These
- [Fear, Anxiety and Your Financial Goals](https://fiplanpartners.com/fear-and-anxiety-and-your-financial-goals/) - 04/04/12: If you knew you couldn't fail, what decisions would you make in your life? Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant talks about how asking that question can affect the your investments and goals in your life. Questions? Call or email Greg here. Note:Because of regulations, comments have been turned off.
- [The Importance of a Global Perspective for Investors](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-importance-of-a-global-perspective-for-investors/) - 04/18/12:The importance of a global perspective for investing is vital for any financial investor. In this brief video, Greg Powell, CIMA, President/CEO of Fi Plan Partners explains how his portfolio team stays focused on their clients' portfolios with a global perspective. Do you have a question or concern? Call or email Greg here. Note:Because of
- [The Big Choice: Combat Inflation or Stimulate Growth?](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-big-choice-combat-inflation-or-stimulate-growth/) - 04/23/12: We hope that you had a great weekend and that the “tax man” didn’t hit you too hard! As we always do at the beginning of the market week, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the next few days. These are
- [The Potential Financial Drain of Adult Children on Your Retirement](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-potential-financial-drain-of-adult-children-on-your-retirement/) - 04/25/12: Often adult children, even after they've been on their own for some time, can be financially draining on their parents. This is more common than you think and it needs to be addressed as you make your financial plans. There is a conversation that needs to take place within a family with adult children.
- [Will Spain's Recession Impact US Investors?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-spains-recession-impact-us-investors/) - 05/01/12: As we bring April to a close and begin the month of May, it’s really hard to believe that four months of 2012 are already in the books. At the beginning of this market week, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we, as an investment firm, will
- [What Could Quickly Impact U.S. Markets?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-could-quickly-impact-u-s-markets/) - 05/07/12: As we always do at the beginning of the market week, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the next few days. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is certain about them. 1. Here
- [What If The Big "If" Happens And Keeps You From Retirement?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-if-the-big-if-happens-and-keeps-you-from-retirement/) - 05/10/12: The big "if" is anything that could potentially throw you off track to achieve retirement. This "if" could come in many forms. At Fi Plan Partners we help take the anxiety out of the "if's" for our clients. Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant, explains how this is done. If you have questions or
- [Investors Need To Focus On More Than Financial Data](https://fiplanpartners.com/investors-need-to-focus-on-more-than-financial-data/) - 05/14/12: As we always do at the beginning of the market week, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the next few days. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is certain about them. 1. First,
- [Do You Know What Your Financial Situation Is Going To Be Like In Retirement?](https://fiplanpartners.com/do-you-know-what-your-financial-situation-is-going-to-be-like-in-retirement-2/) - 05/16/12: Most people have investments but they do not know the answer to this question. Greg Powell, President and CEO explains how you can find the answer to that question. If you have questions concerning your financial situation in retirement, call Greg at 989-3498 or email him here. Note: Due to regulations, comments have been
- [Will the “Slow and Steady” Pace of the American Economy Be Overwhelmed by Europe This Summer?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-the-slow-and-steady-pace-of-the-american-economy-be-overwhelmed-by-europe-this-summer/) - 05/21/12: As we always do at the beginning of the market week, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the next few days as we move towards Memorial Day. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is
- [How Europe's Turmoil Can Impact Your Investments](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-europes-turmoil-can-impact-your-investments/) - 05/23/12: With so much going on in Europe, there could be major impact on your investments. The world is tied together economically and Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners explains several different ways it could impact you. If you have specific questions about your investments, give Greg a call at (205)
- [How To Keep Your Portfolio Ahead of Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-keep-your-portfolio-ahead-of-inflation/) - 05/31/12: As you watch gas and food prices inch higher and higher your dollar does not go as far and your budget that worked last year might not be working this year. Listen to Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners, tell you how his firm provides their clients with strategies designed
- [Potential European Impact This Week On Your Investments](https://fiplanpartners.com/potential-european-impact-this-week-on-your-investments/) - 06.05.12: As we “close the books” on May and move solidly towards the summer, we wanted to give you a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the week. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is certain about them. 1. First,
- [Why Women Need To Understand Their Financial Plan](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-women-need-to-understand-their-financial-plan/) - 06/07/12: Greg Powell explains why it is so critical for women to make sure they understand their financial plan. Whether they are single or married, there are some important factors that affect women and their financial plan. Although comments on this blog have been turned off (see note below), Greg would like to have dialogue
- [Is A Market Collapse Inevitable?](https://fiplanpartners.com/is-a-market-collapse-inevitable/) - 06/08/12: The current challenges seem daunting enough to prompt individual investors to abandon stocks, as evidenced by relentless selling of domestic stock mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Year-to-date, there has been more selling in 2012 than we experienced in the same timeframe in 2008, according to ICI data. In fact, we have seen selling in every one of the last 12 months—a new record for investor pessimism. But is this entirely justified? Is a market collapse inevitable?
- [Retirees, Where Will Your Income Come From?](https://fiplanpartners.com/retirees-where-will-your-income-come-from/) - 06/13/12: Where you're income will come from in retirement is a vital question concerning your financial future and affects your anxiety. With interest rates and other changing factors, people are not able to generate the returns on their investment portfolios like they use to. Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners, discusses
- [The Impact Of Obamacare And Europe On Business and Jobs](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-impact-of-obamacare-and-europe-on-business-and-jobs/) - 06/25/12: Needless to say, events in Europe are becoming increasingly impactful on consumer sentiment in the United States, and this in turn is a major force on markets. “Lock up” in spending among anxious consumers worried primarily about jobs will be very significant this summer in dictating how much market volatility will be experienced.
- [How Are We Responding To The European Crisis?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-are-we-responding-to-the-european-crisis/) - 06/27/12:The European financial crisis doesn't seem to be getting any better. Every investor needs to be aware of these events, know how to respond and how their financial advisor is responding. Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant, explains the current situation and how his portfolio strategy team is responding. Email Greg here with the topics
- [The Chilling Effect On An Already Slow Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-chilling-effect-on-an-already-slow-economy/) - 07/02/12: We hope that you had a great weekend and that you have a safe and joyous 4th of July holiday this week. As we know that all of you are, we here at Fi Plan Partners are proud to live in such a marvelous country where the free enterprise system is allowed to enhance
- [Obamacare: How We Are Analyzing It For Investors](https://fiplanpartners.com/obamacare-how-we-are-analyzing-it-for-investors/) - 07/03/12: (Recorded on 06/28/12) The landmark Supreme Court decision last week upholding Obamacare will have a major impact on individuals, healthcare, and the economy. Whether that impact will be good or bad is still to be determined. At our financial planning, wealth management and investment firm, we have been analyzing it, asking questions, and researching
- [A Quick Market Outlook: What You Need To Know](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-quick-market-outlook-what-you-need-to-know/) - 07/09/12: Let's take a quick “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully during the week. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is certain about them. First of all, here’s a “week-at-a-glance” view of what’s coming up over the next five days. Beginning
- [Protecting Your Financial Future](https://fiplanpartners.com/protecting-your-financial-future/) - 07/11/12: Rule #1 at Fi Plan Partners is, "How do you protect your wealth?" It's one thing to grow your wealth but if you just turn around and loose it in a down market, you are not going to achieve your financial goals. Greg Powell shares his investing philosophy in this video and how he guides his clients towards protecting their financial future.
- [Turning Unwanted Real Estate to Generate Income](https://fiplanpartners.com/turning-unwanted-real-estate-into-generating-income/) - 07/18/12: Real estate can be a good or a bad investment. But what if you have unwanted real estate and you just can't seem to sell for a good price? Greg Powell shares his strategy that he uses with his clients.
- [Guarding Your Portfolio Against Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/guarding-your-portfolio-against-inflation/) - 07/25/12: Part of inflation right now is being driven by... corn. That's right, corn and it's going to affect you right at the heart of your life. Greg Powell explains why in this video and talks about guarding your portfolio against inflation.
- [Have We Already Fallen Off The Fiscal Cliff?](https://fiplanpartners.com/have-we-already-fallen-off-the-fiscal-cliff/) - 07/30/12: Forget the “fiscal cliff” at the end of the year, slowing expenditures by the federal government are already here and impacting our economy. Recent economic data show that long before the fiscal cliff hits, federal spending already is falling off and taking a toll on the recovery. Federal spending has fallen 3.3% in the past year and federal payrolls have lost 52,000 jobs in the past 12 months. These cuts are coming in two places: (1) military spending, and (2) stimulus dollars supporting infrastructure improvements at the local and state level that are now coming to an end. The cuts are especially significant for communities that rely heavily on the military. These cuts are coming at a tough time for the U.S. economy, which has lost steam after appearing to accelerate earlier this year.
- [Don't Let Your Portfolio Be at the Mercy of the Government](https://fiplanpartners.com/dont-let-your-portfolio-be-at-the-mercy-of-the-government/) - 08/01/12: When politicians are playing politics, it can affect the markets. Investors will get caught waiting to see what the government will do to the markets and inadvertently miss opportunities. Greg Powell explains why this happens and what you can do about it.
- [Savvy Investors Need To Remain Highly Attuned To The Volatility](https://fiplanpartners.com/savvy-investors-need-to-remain-highly-attuned-to-the-volatility/) - 08/07/12: Beginning today, The Federal Reserve reports on June consumer credit and GOP candidates face off in a Missouri Senate primary to determine who will challenge Democrat Claire McCaskill. Beyond today, the market has a “quieter” data week, skipping to Thursday when the U.S. posts metrics on the balance of international trade for June and jobless claims come out for the most recent week. The week concludes Friday with the Treasury reporting on the federal government’s budget deficit for July.
- [Do It Yourself Investor Train Wreck](https://fiplanpartners.com/do-it-yourself-investor-train-wreck/) - 08/08/12: When you do your own investing there are many pitfalls you can encounter. Greg Powell tells a true story of one DIY investor who train wrecked his investments and then he gives you three things every investor should know.
- [How We Help Clients Make A Career Transition](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-we-help-clients-make-a-career-transition/) - 08/16/12: Many people are looking to make career changes and transitions even later in life. This is not always an easy decision to make Here are 3 reasons how a sound financial plan will help you make this major transition in your life.
- [Mortgage Rates Are Inching Up As The Economy Improves](https://fiplanpartners.com/mortgage-rates-are-inching-up-as-the-economy-improves/) - 08/20/12: As we always do at the beginning of the market week, we take a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is certain about them.
- [Investors Focus on Jackson Hole, WY This Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/investors-focus-on-jackson-hole-wy-this-week/) - 08/27/12:As we head towards Labor Day, football and the “unofficial” end of summer, let's take a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is certain about them. 1. First of all, here’s a “week-at-a-glance” view of what’s coming up over the next five market days. Monday should be a relatively “quiet” day, without much coming out in the way of economic data either in the United States or Europe. Tuesday brings...
- [Being Financially Prepared For Any Disaster](https://fiplanpartners.com/being-financially-prepared-for-any-disaster/) - 08/29/12: If a hurricane or other natural disaster occured, would you be financially prepared? Greg Powell, President and CEO of Fi Plan Partners explains how his firm prepares clients financially for the unexpected. As Hurricane Isaac makes it's way towards the Gulf Coast, this is a must watch video.
- [Do You Know Your Financial Goals?](https://fiplanpartners.com/do-you-know-your-financial-goals/) - 09/12/12: Most people have a vision for their life but they don't know the financial goals it will take to fulfill that vision. Greg Powell, President/CEO and Wealth Consultant at Fi Plan Partners, explains how he and his financial planning and investment firm help clients discover what their financial goals need to be and how to work towards fulfilling them.
- [Could These "What If's" Impact Your Portfolio?](https://fiplanpartners.com/could-these-what-ifs-impact-your-portfolio/) - 09/19/12: Could the outcome of the up coming presidential election affect your portfolio? What if Congress doesn't address the fiscal cliff or Europe doesn't get it's act together? There are so many factors that it can be mind boggling. Greg Powell talks about how his investment firm stays on top of it in order to protect their clients portfolios.
- [What Investors Need To Be Aware Of This Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-investors-need-to-be-aware-of-this-week/) - 09/24/12: here’s a “week-at-a-glance” view of what’s coming up over the next five market days. Leading off today, French President Hollande begins a visit to the United States. Tuesday brings release of the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index and The Conference Board surveys consumer confidence nationwide. On the international front, world leaders are meeting in New York for the United Nations General Assembly debate. Numbers on August new home sales will be released on Wednesday
- [Why Does The Stock Market Continue To Show Appreciation?](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-does-the-stock-market-continue-to-show-appreciation/) - 09/26/12: Why Does The Stock Market Continue To Show Appreciation? With so many economic numbers showing that it's not getting much better, there are other factors that make the stock market go up. Greg Powell explains what these other factors are and what investors need to consider when looking at their own investments. Greg Powell
- [Will the Presidential Debates Affect The Overall Markets?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-the-presidential-debates-affect-the-overall-markets/) - 10.03.12: Will the Presidential debates affect the overall markets? That's the big economic questions we are hearing a lot from investors. The affect depends on several different things. Greg Powell talk to investors about potential impact on the economy and markets and what history has shown us in past Presidential debates.
- [How Are Domestic and International Financial Markets Affecting Investors?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-are-domestic-and-international-financial-markets-affecting-investors/) - 10/09/12: Leading off Monday, U.S. bond markets were closed but stock markets are open for Columbus Day. Today is busy both domestically and internationally with three key events: (1) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank begin their meetings in Tokyo, (2) German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Greece and (3) third-quarter earnings season kicks off in the United States. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve issues its beige book report on regional economic conditions around the country.
- [Election Economic Plans and Government Finances](https://fiplanpartners.com/election-economic-plans-and-government-finances/) - 10/10/12: Election economic plans and government finances is a hot topic right now. Both Presidential candidates are talking about reducing the National Debt but they don't see eye-to-eye on it. Regardless of who you will vote for, as an investors you need to know what kind of investments work best during certain types of trends that will happen due to the outcome of the election.
- [Consumer Spending Could Help The Market Move Forward](https://fiplanpartners.com/consumer-spending-could-help-the-market-move-forward/) - 10/16/12: For the second week in a row, we have a market “tug of war” going on between the negative impact of lackluster corporate earnings and the positive impact of increased consumer spending (more on that below) and an improving real estate market. Which will dominate?
- [Americans Continue To Feel Better About The Health Of The Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/americans-continue-to-feel-better-about-the-health-of-the-economy/) - Overall, Americans continue to feel better about the health of the U.S economy. In a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll conducted last week, 45% of registered voters said they expect the economy to get better over the next 12 months. Only 9% said they expect the economy to get worse in the coming year, the smallest fraction since 1993. Surveys of consumers of all sorts, including the closely monitored University of Michigan and Conference Board reports, have been finding sentiment about the economy improving. Interestingly, this is occurring at a time when economic forecasters see painfully slow growth ahead even if the U.S. avoids the “fiscal cliff.”
- [Corporate Earnings Impact The Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/corporate-earnings-impact-the-markets/) - Corporate earnings impact the financial markets. I believe this is going to be a big theme for the rest of this year as there is real concern across the financial industry. Investors are watching the corporate earnings of global companies, like Starbucks, to see how consumers are spending their money. How could this impact your
- [Hurricane Sandy Will Have A Wide Variety Of Market Impacts This Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/hurricane-sandy-will-have-a-wide-variety-of-market-impacts-this-week/) - As we always do at the start of the market week, we take a “look ahead” at a few items that we will be tracking carefully. These are just a few opinions that we have, and as with life, nothing is certain about them. Although the markets were closed yesterday and today, here’s a “week-at-a-glance”
- [A Variety of Taxes That Could Affect You In 2013](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-variety-of-taxes-that-could-affect-you-in-2013/) - On December 31st the "Bush Tax Cuts" will expire. Next year will be the 100 year anniversary of the Federal Tax Code and taxes will be a theme 2013. What does this mean for investors? How will this impact the economy? I give you my thoughts in my investment video of the week. Loading...
- [The Market Impact With A President Obama Re-Election](https://fiplanpartners.com/themarket-impact-with-a-president-obama-re-election/) - How does the re-election of President Obama impact the markets as well as your investments? That's an important question for all investors. Whether you voted for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama, investors need to understand that the markets react different ways during different administrations. In this video, I explain why I believe the financial markets are reacting the way they are and what you need to know as an investor.
- [The Great American Century](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-great-american-century/) - We could be on the cusp of "The Great American Century." I believe with all the different things going on in the media, people are distracted and over looking some major things that are going on in our economy. This has the potential to affect investors. At Fi Plan Partners we are tracking market and
- [Interview with Executive Coach, Jason Womack](https://fiplanpartners.com/interview-with-executive-coach-jason-womack/) - On November 12, 2012 Fi Plan Partners was the corporate sponsor of the Samford Business Network Breakfast at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, AL. Business leaders from across the city came to network and hear special guest Jason Womack, author of Your Best Just Got Better. Greg Powell is President and CEO of Fi Plan
- [Investors Have A Lot To Be Thankful For](https://fiplanpartners.com/investors-have-a-lot-to-be-thankful-for/) - Investors have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. This past year has had it's ups and downs in the financial markets as well as the economy. It's easy to focus on the bad side when investors really have some good things to be thankful for. We've always believed at Fi Plan Partners
- [Are Weak Corporate Earnings A New Worry For Investors?](https://fiplanpartners.com/are-weak-corporate-earnings-a-new-worry-for-investors/) - Is weak corporate revenue the “new worry” for investors? Third quarter corporate sales revenue was surprisingly weak, with 61% of companies lagging behind expectations and revenue shrinking by nearly a percentage point – the first decline since 2009. That is significant at present, because while net profit margins often fluctuate, sales revenue generally tracks nominal gross domestic product in the United States. Third-quarter economic growth of 2%
- [Fiscal Cliff or Fiscal Laugh](https://fiplanpartners.com/fiscal-cliff-or-fiscal-laugh/) - The hot topic right now is the Fiscal Cliff but what should investors really be concerned about? How could this affect their investments? In this video, I'll give investors the same financial advice we give our clients every day at Fi Plan Partners and help you have a different perspective than what the media may
- [Our Most Recent Fiscal Cliff Update](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-most-recent-fiscal-cliff-update/) - Here’s the most recent fiscal cliff update. Not surprisingly, both Republicans and Democrats postured over the fiscal cliff through the weekend, with each saying that the other will be to blame if the economy falls over the edge, which both sides said it might do. Jim Kessler of The Third Way consulting group summarizes nicely where we are at this moment when he states, “this thing could fall apart….but there’s still a few more days where we should expect this kind of rhetoric before they start to coalesce around a deal.”
- [What is a Financial Advisor?](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-is-a-financial-advisor/) - What is a Financial Advisor? Is there a difference between a financial planner and a financial planning and wealth management firm? In this video I will not only answer that question but give real life examples of how the difference between these two can affect and investor and that investor's family. - Greg Powell, CIMA,
- [Investment Advice For The Holidays](https://fiplanpartners.com/investment-advice-for-the-holidays/) - Sometimes the best investment advice for the holidays is something simple. But simple investing advice can have a major impact on you and the ones you love. Here is some investment advice I gave a client recently that you may be able to use this holiday season. Merry Christmas! Greg Powell is President and CEO
- [The Fiscal Reality For Everybody](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-fiscal-reality-for-everybody/) - The Fiscal Reality impacts every one in America in several areas whether you think it does or not. In this vlog, I talk about these areas that can have an impact on you as an individual and as an investor and what you should be doing to protect your portfolio. These are the kind of
- [The Fiscal Debate Isn't Over](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-fiscal-debate-isnt-over/) - President Obama and Congress finally made some decisions and came to some agreements about the Fiscal Cliff but, basically, they just put a bandaid on this problem. There will be more to come this year and it could be outrageous. In this video I will share my thoughts about what you can expect. Greg Powell,
- [Three Questions To Ask Your CPA](https://fiplanpartners.com/three-questions-to-ask-your-cpa/) - As a independent financial planning and wealth management firm, we talk with our clients during tax season and help them coordinate discussions with their CPA. While we do not offer tax advice, we do give them important questions to ask their accountant. There's three... or more. Greg Powell, CIMA President/CEO Wealth Consultant
- [The Mistake of Working With Just One Financial Advisor](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-mistake-of-working-with-just-one-financial-advisor/) - Many of our referred clients come to us from working with just one financial advisor. After working with us they discover the mistake they made when working with just that one advisor. In this investing video I will tell you why working with one financial advisor can be a mistake and what you should do
- [Inauguration, Investments and Innovation](https://fiplanpartners.com/inauguration-investments-and-innovation/) - Inauguration, investments and innovation all are having an impact on the markets. Many investors are wanting to know what to do with their investments in reaction to these scenarios when there are so many unknowns. In this investing video I'll explain what kind of impact the inauguration, investments and innovation could have on the markets
- [How To Take The Emotion Out Of Investing](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-take-the-emotion-out-of-investing/) - Taking the emotion out of investing can be hard for some investors. Many investors make knee-jerk reactions to media news and what other so called "financial experts" are saying about the markets. In this investing video I talk about what you, as an investor, can do to keep your emotions from taking your portfolio down
- [How To Deal With Fear In The Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-deal-with-fear-in-the-markets/) - One of the questions I'm hearing a lot right now is, "What is everybody concerned about with the markets?" In this investing video I reveal the discussions we are having within our financial planning and wealth management firm, with our clients, and the strategies we use that are designed to protect and grow our clients'
- [Why is the Market Going Up When The News Is So Negative](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-is-the-market-going-up-when-the-news-is-so-negative/) - With all the negative news media about the economy, most investors are frustrated. Yet, the stock market continues to go up. In this video I'll give you my professional opinion and what investors need to know. Greg Powell, CIMA President/CEO Wealth Consultant Loading...
- [When Is The Best Time To Start Investing?](https://fiplanpartners.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-start-investing/) - Click here to watch our top vlog of the month: "Why Is the Market Going Up When The News Is So Negative?" Because I've been in the financial industry for over 32 years, people often talk to me and confess that they are unsure about when they should start investing. In this video I talk
- [The Financial World Is Changing](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-financial-world-is-changing/) - The financial world is changing from a global standpoint and also from the personal investor side. I'll give you a quick list of how it is the financial world is changing and how it could impact you. As an investor you need to stay on top of your investments as well as the financial world
- [Why Is The Financial News Negative?](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-is-the-financial-news-negative/) - Why is the financial news negative? It's important for investors to understand so they won't be swayed by the media to make poor decisions. In this video I will give my reasons why we are seeing positive things going on in our country and how investors can find positive financial news themselves. Greg Powell, CIMA
- [Now That Tax Season Is Over](https://fiplanpartners.com/now-that-tax-season-is-over/) - Now that tax season is over, we are having conversations with our clients about their tax strategies and investments for the next year. This is a conversation you need to be having with your financial advisor. In this video I'll share with you what I advise our clients to do now that tax season is
- [Innovation: How It Can Impact You, Your Job and Your Investments](https://fiplanpartners.com/innovation-how-it-can-impact-you-your-job-and-your-investments/) - Innovation is growing exponentially. In the next five to ten years, innovation has the potential to revolutionize life as we know it. This will impact you, your job and your investments. I explain why in this video. Greg Powell, CIMA President/CEO Wealth Consultant Loading...
- [When Your Kids Move Back In With You](https://fiplanpartners.com/when-your-kids-move-back-in-with-you/) - With the current economy a lot of parents are seeing their adult children moving back home. In this video I point out some things you need to keep in mind to protect your financial security. Watch my interview on ABC 33/40 about this subject here. Greg Powell, CIMA President/CEO Wealth Consultant Loading...
- [How To Write A Business Plan](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-write-a-business-plan/) - If you are a business owner or looking to own a business, you need to know how to write a business plan. This is not something we are born with. At Fi Plan Partners, we are a business and we guide our business owner clients in writing a thorough business plan for their existing business
- [Hot Sectors In The Market, Should You Be In Or Out?](https://fiplanpartners.com/hot-sectors-in-the-market/) - You can find opportunities in the markets by tracking sectors. Hot sectors go in rotations as money is moving in and out of the markets all the time.
- [Should You Be Chasing The S&P 500?](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-chase-the-sp-500/) - Why chase the S&P 500? The answer might surprise you. Many investors use the S&P 500 as a benchmark for their investments. Often, however, this can derail an investor from their life long financial dreams and goals. Note: Originally posted on November 21, 2013 but still applicable for investors today. Greg Powell, CIMA President/CEO Wealth
- [Dean Howard Finch Discusses The Future Of Business Education](https://fiplanpartners.com/future-of-business-education/) - Dean Finch sees the future of business education and the industry trending towards accounting, banking, finance, and entrepreneurship.
- [Potential Scenarios With Economic Impact](https://fiplanpartners.com/scenarios-with-economic-impact/) - There’s a lot of bad news out there. It has investors asking, "What if things don't get better." Let's look at several scenarios that could have a dramatic economic impact in the United States.
- [Investing In Energy Stocks](https://fiplanpartners.com/investing-energy-stocks/) - Since June of this year the price of oil has dropped about 38%, going from $100 per barrel to $66 per barrel. Investors should gravitate towards energy stocks of the larger companies that have these components to help them weather low cost environments.
- [#82 Concluding 2014 And Looking Ahead To 2015](https://fiplanpartners.com/2014-and-looking-ahead-to-2015/) - 2014 has been an eventful year with a lot of volatility in the markets and a lot with regards to the Fed. In 2015 here are some of the topics we will be watching.
- [#84 How We Create Our Investment Strategies](https://fiplanpartners.com/creating-investment-strategies/) - Our process for creating investment strategies begins with each of us on the Portfolio Strategies Team conducting our own research and gathering data. Then, we meet and share our findings in bullet points, followed by healthy debate, and brainstorming. In this video I discuss some of the bullet points we are debating and researching now.
- [#90 Facing Deflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/facing-deflation/) - Sizable debt, technological advances, low interest rates, and the Baby Boom generation not spending as much as they use to can all contribute to deflation. Will this be a theme in 2015? Watch this video.
- [#92 Interview with Robert Moore, President of LPL Financial](https://fiplanpartners.com/interview-robert-moore-president-lpl-financial/) - We are honored to have Robert Moore join us today to share his experience as the President of LPL Financial, the #1 independent broker-dealer for 19 straight years according to Financial Planning magazine. Watch this video for great insight to why Fi Plan Partners chose to work with LPL Financial over all other broker-dealers.
- [#102 A Possible Market Tailwind](https://fiplanpartners.com/possible-market-tailwind/) - Although the news media is not reporting on the rising level of corporate debt, it continues to be something we are watching very closely. New corporate debt tells us that companies are being more active by borrowing money to expand their business. This has a rippling effect in the economy and is leading consumers to be more confident to borrow money themselves. With interest rates so low, this could be a possible market tailwind. More in the video.
- [#108 An Interview with Young Boozer, AL State Treasurer](https://fiplanpartners.com/young-boozer/) - Today we are honored to have the Alabama State Treasurer, Young Boozer, in our studio for a special interview to discuss the programs that he oversees and how they affect investors and business owners in our state.
- [#122 How China Will Impact Investors](https://fiplanpartners.com/china-will-impact-investors/) - China will impact investors not through the markets but through imports. If they continue to devalue their currency and market it would cause their export products to devalue, which will make it harder for the other economies to compete. More in the video.
- [#123 Weathering This Market Volatility](https://fiplanpartners.com/weathering-market-volatility/) - Uncertainty, along with the China issue, is what is really causing all the volatility in the markets. To maneuver our clients through this market volatility, we have taken a larger cash position in our portfolios. More in the video.
- [#125 Market Uncertainty From The Fed And Politics](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-uncertainty/) - Market uncertainty will stay with us until we get more clarity from the Fed on when they foresee raising interest rates. Washington is going to look very chaotic and disconnected from the public over the next few months. This will put a lot of pressure on the markets. More in the video.
- [#128 Where Is The Good Economic News?](https://fiplanpartners.com/where-is-the-good-economic-news/) - A client has asked, “With all the negative issues going on around the world, where is the good economic news?” In this post we will share the bright spots in a bombardment of negative economic news. Watch the video.
- [#129 Earnings Impact On Your Investments](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-impact-your-investments/) - It's earnings season and better than expected earnings reports can help investors. However, we must remember that these expectations have been lowered which means we could still see negative earnings growth.
- [#131 Congressman Gary Palmer Discusses Issues In Washington D.C.](https://fiplanpartners.com/gary-palmer/) - Greg Powell discusses with Congressman Palmer the issues in Washington DC and his insight from being on the Budget Committee, the direction of the Republican Party, oil and energy issues, and how he hopes history will remember his time in Congress.
- [#134 Good Signs For The Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/good-signs-for-the-economy/) - There are a good signs for the economy as the market reacted positively to last weeks' Jobs and Wage reports. This could indicate a possible interest rate hike but there is still much to consider at this point. More in the video.
- [#135 What Can Keep The Global Economy Moving?](https://fiplanpartners.com/global-economy-moving/) - The G20 Summit leaders have much to figure out this week as the global economy is cluttered with many critical issues that impact us all. Because of their past initiatives, the Syrian refugee crisis, Japan's deflation, and most countries having massive debt, the G20 leaders are running out of ammunition to keep the global economy moving.
- [#136 An Interview with Mark Casady of LPL Financial](https://fiplanpartners.com/136-an-interview-with-mark-casady-of-lpl-financial/) - In this special edition of Investors’ Insights, I had the opportunity to sit down with the Chairman and CEO of LPL Financial, Mark Casady, to discuss how LPL supports Fi Plan Partners in giving their clients the best possible service through technology, research, and resources.
- [#137 A Short But Busy Week In The Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/137-a-short-but-busy-week-for-us-consumers/) - In today’s video we will discuss the news and reports coming out this holiday week that can impact the markets. We will also discuss how the housing growth and oil prices are impacting the US consumer. Housing growth and the US consumer As you have heard as a consistent theme here on our blog, we
- [#139 A Small And Gradual Interest Rate Increase](https://fiplanpartners.com/interest-rate-increase/) - We have received several comments from our listeners about an interest rate increase and how it will impact their investments. We believe the Fed now has the ammunition it needs to raise interest rates in their meeting this week. While we could see an interest rate increase next week, we believe it will be small and gradual. (More in the video)
- [#140 We Told You So](https://fiplanpartners.com/140-we-told-you-so-about-the-economy/) - Last week was rough for the markets as oil continues to tumble. We stated at the beginning of the year that oil would drop drastically, so here is were we can say, “We told you so.” Unemployment also took a hit and we have been saying this was going to continue to be a theme as technology grows and disrupts business models.
- [#141 Gasoline Prices Are Like A Tax Cut](https://fiplanpartners.com/gasoline-prices-are-like-a-tax-cut/) - AAA reported gasoline prices average nationally at $2 per gallon. That is like a $1 billion national tax rebate. How does that equal per licensed driver in the United States? See how much money gas prices have put back in your pocket this year in the video.
- [#142 More Market Uncertainty For 2016](https://fiplanpartners.com/more-market-uncertainty-2016/) - 2016 is looking like it will possibly be another year of market uncertainty. The Fed has said it will raise interest rates four times but the market is only pricing in two. That shows a lot of uncertainty.
- [#143 Debating The “What Ifs” Of The Markets In 2016](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-ifs-in-the-markets-in-2016/) - Today we are discussing the rippling effects of 2015 and the “What Ifs” of 2016 that could impact the markets in 2016 and your portfolio this year.
- [#144 A New Meaning to Made In China](https://fiplanpartners.com/144-a-new-meaning-for-made-in-china/) - There is a new meaning to the expression “Made in China” as we see the impact of the Chinese stock market. Last week the markets started off on the wrong foot with both the Dow and the S&P 500 ended down 6%. That’s the worst start for the Dow ever, and the worst for the S&P 500 since 1927. China halted their trading twice last week and oil continued to plummet. The good news was the jobs report which beat expectations.
- [#145 Is This A Bear Market Leading To A Recession?](https://fiplanpartners.com/bear-market-leading-to-a-recession/) - We believe it is possible to have a bear market without a recession. The US is not really in a weak economic position. That does not mean that the stock market cannot go down. The markets can be a reflection of things to come and... (more in the video)
- [#146 Do Not Trust The Market Rally Last Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/do-not-trust-the-market-rally/) - In today's video blog you can hear (or read) about the many reasons you cannot trust last week's market rally. Short covering, international quantitative easing, and investors' false hope in the Fed caused this artificial growth. We will tell you about an indicator coming out this week which can tell investors if we really have a healthy market or not. In a bear market, it is all about capital preservation. We discuss the issues that will determine how we react to this market.
- [#147 Negative Interest Rates and Iowa Caucuses Predictions](https://fiplanpartners.com/negative-interest-rates-and-iowa-caucuses-predictions/) - In this episode we will answer the questions: What is the impact of negative interest rates, why the US markets rallied on Friday, why we are not buying into equities, and who do we think will come out on top in the Iowa presidential caucuses?
- [#149: We Are Issuing A Market Rally Caution](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-rally-caution/) - Investors need to be careful about these recent market rally spikes. We are seeing lower highs and deeper lows. We believe there is not enough strength in the markets right now to sustain a market rally.
- [#150: The Bear Market Impact On Your Portfolio](https://fiplanpartners.com/bear-market-impact-portfolio/) - In this episode we will discuss what happens in a bear market, preparing for how the Presidential election and Great Britain could affect your portfolio, and other factors that could impact your investments this week.
- [#151 Good News Is Bad News For The Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/bad-news-markets/) - Recent positive economic data is causing the Fed to talk about raising interest rates again. If the Fed keeps talking like this, it will cause volatility in the markets. Again this is a case where good news in the economy can create bad news for the markets.
- [#152 Untrustworthy Bear Market Rallies](https://fiplanpartners.com/untrustworthy-market-rallies/) - As we watch these short bear market rallies occurring our technical indicators are showing us that the top 20% of short selling stocks are providing the most upside in these market rallies. These rallies are not fundamentally driven. It’s people covering their tails.
- [# 153 When The World Economy Sneezes, We All Feel The Impact](https://fiplanpartners.com/world-economy-sneezes/) - In the big picture of the world economy our economy could be looking stronger as others weaken. However, it could also have a negative affect on US investors. When the world economy sneezes, we all feel the impact.
- [#154 Investors Feel The Impact Of The Falling Dollar](https://fiplanpartners.com/falling-dollar/) - Investors felt an impact on their portfolios from a falling dollar as the Fed did not cut rates and lowered their rate hike expectation from four to two this year. That caused the falling dollar which increased oil prices.
- [#155 Can A Terrorist Attack Cause A Bear Market?](https://fiplanpartners.com/terrorist-attack-cause-bear-market/) - A viewer sent us a question last week asking if a terrorist attack can cause a bear market. Going back to the 1970’s we can see that usually they do not. In the past, the markets have shrugged off a terrorist attack with September 11th being the exception. Five days after 9/11 the markets were down 12%. The only real concern we would have of a terrorist attack causing a bear market would be if the terrorist attacked our ...
- [#156 The Top Two Market Drivers This Quarter?](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-drivers/) - Janet Yellen's dovish statements last week canceled any notion that there would be a live Fed meeting in April where they would discuss raising interest rates. This limits the Fed from making market altering news until their June meeting, making oil and corporate earnings the top drivers of the markets.
- [#157 Low Expectations Cause The Markets To Step Back](https://fiplanpartners.com/low-expectations/) - Investors saw the markets take a step back last week. The cause came from the low expectations on the earnings reports which we will start seeing later today. The good news is that if the earnings expectations bar has been set low, the markets might be able to jump over it and bring some momentum to the markets.
- [#159 What Will Make Portfolios Go Up?](https://fiplanpartners.com/portfolios-go-up/) - Currently here are many mixed messages in the markets. While many companies have been beating their low earnings expectations, the tech companies, which have been holding up the economy, are underperforming. With these contradictions, investors are asking, “What will make portfolios go up?” Our answer in the video.
- [#160 Investors With Technology Stocks](https://fiplanpartners.com/technology-stocks/) - While April was a relatively good month, technology companies were the big weakness. Part of the problem is because of the Fed and the artificial growth it has been creating.
- [#161 Canadian Oil Fires Impact Portfolios](https://fiplanpartners.com/canadian-oil/) - Canadian oil fires have taken around a third of their production off line. Most of that oil ships directly to the US. This will have a direct affect on oil prices and possibly our gas prices. Ironically, this is happening right before the summer when historically gas prices go up as more people travel.
- [#163 Why We Have A Conservative Portfolio Strategy](https://fiplanpartners.com/conservative-portfolio-strategy/) - We currently have a conservative portfolio strategy because of the Fed's very hawkish statement last week, low earnings, and a drop in market expectations. Now that bad earnings are in the rear view mirror, we are looking at a very unaccommodating Fed in front of us. There is a lot of information that is all over the board.
- [#164 Encouraging Economic News, Finally!](https://fiplanpartners.com/encouraging-economic-news/) - We are seeing positive results from the low oil prices we have had for 18 months now. There has been a rise in consumer spending which is very encouraging economic news. There could be more positive news this week.
- [#165 Financial Markets Are At A Crossroads And Pivotal Point](https://fiplanpartners.com/financial-markets-crossroads/) - Our financial markets are at a crossroads and pivotal point with three women dominating the news. Janet Yellen will discuss interest rates, Hilary Clinton competes with Bernie Sanders in the California presidential election, and Angela Merkle deals with Great Britain and hold the European Union together.
- [#168: The Brexit Shows There Is A Bigger Problem](https://fiplanpartners.com/brexit-shows/) - The Brexit points to an overall sickness of global frustration. The Brexit shows people are frustrated with the current state of the world. This has caused the unconventional to be popular. This is why we are seeing the popularity of US presidential candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. The Brexit is just one symptom of a bigger problem.
- [#169: Surprising Positive Brexit Results In The US](https://fiplanpartners.com/positive-brexit-results/) - Surprisingly there are Brexit positive results in the US from what was at first viewed as all negative. The Brexit has influenced bonds, gold, interest rates and more. We will discuss these results and what to watch for in the next 6 months in the markets.
- [#170: Taking Advantage Of Stock Market Surprises](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-surprises/) - As we continue to look at the second half of the year, we are already seeing some market surprises. On Friday we saw a surprise in the jobs report. Expectations are so low for corporate earnings that we are looking to take advantage of possible stock market surprises.
- [#171: Market Momentum. Can It Keep Going?](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-momentum-can-keep-going/) - It will be a big week with corporate earnings and the Republican convention kicking off. The question is, “Can this market momentum keep going?” We’ve had a lot of great economic numbers come out in the past few weeks. Donald Trump’s policies could either make the markets more or less skittish.
- [#172: What Could Cause Your Portfolio To Increase This Week?](https://fiplanpartners.com/cause-portfolio-increase-week/) - This week should give investors an idea of where the market is going and what could cause their portfolio to increase. We believe that the Fed is on the back burner which could allow the market to continue to rally.
- [#173: Market Perception Vs Reality](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-perception-vs-reality/) - August is historically a bad month for the markets. Adding to that is a mixed bag of economic issues which the mainstream media is not always reporting. The data is saying one thing but the markets are saying another. We hope to give you a better understanding of the market perception vs reality.
- [#174: The Best Opportunity To Drive Market Growth Through The End Of The Year](https://fiplanpartners.com/best-opportunity-drive-market-growth/) - In the current jobs number data we see a wage increase and evidence that the consumer is spending more in the economy. These and other factors are creating the best opportunity to drive market growth through the end of the year.
- [#176: How To Start Planning for Elder Care With Bob Cornelius, PC](https://fiplanpartners.com/elder-care-planning-bob-cornelius/) - Birmingham attorney, Bob Cornelius, PC, discusses with Jon Roberts the special attention that is needed when dealing with the financial situation in elder care. Bob’s law practice specializes in elder care and special needs and he shared with us his insights from his extensive years of experience.
- [#176: How To Start Planning For A Special Needs Child With Bob Cornelius](https://fiplanpartners.com/special-needs-planning-bob-cornelius/) - How to start planning for a special needs child: Special needs planning is really estate planning with specific changes to make sure the child is not going to lose government benefits going forward. Questions to begin with are...
- [#178: Investors Need To Watch The Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/investors-need-watch-fed/) - This week all investors need to watch the Fed. There is a lot going on with the Fed as Janet Yellen and the Fed governors will be meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Some new information has come out recently that points toward December as the next time we could see the Fed raise interest rates. Yellen could come out this week with the news that it could be as early as September.
- [#179: Market Uncertainty And Frustration Created By The Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-uncertainty-created-fed/) - Investors are frustrated over the market uncertainty that is being created by the Fed. The Fed seems to be playing a word game which is hurting the markets and creating market volatility. More in the video.
- [#180: Boring Markets, Dangerous Investors](https://fiplanpartners.com/dangerous-investors/) - The S&P 500 has currently gone 40 sessions without as much as a 1% move up or down. There is no crisis to fix and this is creating bored and dangerous investors. There is a difference between a bored and a shrewd investor.
- [#181: Will The Fed Throw The Flag And Cause Market Volatility?](https://fiplanpartners.com/flag-cause-market-volatility/) - The markets can be viewed as a football field. You may have your portfolio or team on the field. The Fed is the referee and the Fed can pull out the flag and call a penalty. We are seeing a lot of market volatility because the Fed has been making a lot of penalty calls recently, especially on this past Friday.
- [#183: Is The Fed Model Broken?](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-model-broken/) - This morning we had a lot of debate on whether or not the Fed model is broken. The Fed model uses a lot of indicators and data to determine whether or not to raise or lower rates. If you look under the hood, there is some weakness there that might give the Fed pause in September.
- [#184: Can The Markets Determine Debate Winner?](https://fiplanpartners.com/determine-debate-winner/) - Historically, the markets react differently after a presidential debate depending upon who it perceives as the debate winner. Regardless of who your candidate is, the market will respond with its own perception. Here is what we believe could happen in either scenario.
- [#185: Shiny Objects That Can Distract The Markets And Your Portfolio](https://fiplanpartners.com/distract-markets-portfolio/) - Right now, many people are focused on the presidential election. This can be one of several shiny objects that can distract the markets and your portfolio. Some investors may be distracted from focusing on the important issues that could affect their investments.
- [#186: Topics We Should Be Debating In This Country](https://fiplanpartners.com/topics-debating-country/) - All eyes in our country right now are on the presidential debate. We believe that there are so many other things we should be debating in this country. These other topics tie to the investor and the American voter who have retirement accounts and investment portfolios.
- [#187: Interview with John McMillan, AL Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries](https://fiplanpartners.com/john-mcmillan-al-commissioner-of-agriculture-and-industries/) - Greg Powell, CIMA, President and CEO of Fi Plan Partners sat down to talk with John McMillan, AL Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. Greg and John discussed what are the biggest issue facing these industries today, the future of Alabama’s timber industry, the buy local, by fresh trend, the future of Alabama politics, and his involvement with it.
- [#188: The Election, Pensions, And Your Portfolio](https://fiplanpartners.com/election-pensions-portfolio/) - Today it seems that the markets have priced in Hillary Clinton winning the election and the republicans retaining control of the House and Senate. What will bring about market volatility is any uncertainty about the results of the election.
- [#189: Potential Market Movers - Earnings, Election, Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-movers/) - There are several potential market movers this week. There is a theme we are calling the 3 E’s, which are the earnings, the election, and the economy. Starting with the election, we believe the market has priced in a Clinton victory. Now attention is turning to the House of Representatives.
- [#190: The Election Spooked The Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/spooked-the-markets/) - It was assumed that the GDP data that came out Friday would be the biggest news of the day. The market reacted positively to those numbers and held strong until around 1pm when the news came out about the FBI Clinton email investigation. At that point the elections spooked the market and immediately fell off.
- [#191: How The Election Could Impact Your Portfolio](https://fiplanpartners.com/election-impact-portfolio/) - We’ve done a lot of research concerning different scenarios and how the election could impact your portfolio. We are not here to say who is going to win or which side we are on but we can show you how we are working to protect our clients' portfolios.
- [#192 The Election Is Over. Now What?](https://fiplanpartners.com/election-is-over/) - No one will be complaining that the election is over. The affect it had on the markets was not dull at all. Tuesday night, when it looked like Donald Trump would win the election, the Dow fell 976 points. By Wednesday morning, however, the Dow was up.
- [#193: What Investors Have To Be Thankful For](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-investors-have-to-be-thankful-for/) - Surprisingly, there is much that investors can be thankful for this year. The election is behind us and with that all of the uncertainty that came with it. Last week we saw housing numbers jump up 25% and jobless claims go to the lowest they have been since 1973. Retail sales had their best two months in the past two years. This and other economic data gives us a positive outlook for the rest of the fourth quarter and the beginning of the new year.
- [#194: Portfolio Impact Data This Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/portfolio-impact-data/) - the week ahead is full of a great deal of portfolio impact data. One could say that it is boring… but important. We are looking for a confirmation that our economy is still moving along.
- [#195: Stocks Grow: Will Your Portfolio Have A Happy Holiday?](https://fiplanpartners.com/stocks-grow-will-portfolio-happy-holiday/) - This week we are seeing corporate earnings and corporate profits rebounding for the first time in the last five quarters. We need to see this momentum keep going as profits and earnings make stocks grow.
- [#196: Will The Fed Stop The Market Momentum?](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-momentum/) - There was a lot of information that came out over the weekend that could affect the market momentum. The big news this week concerns the Fed who is expected to raise rates on Wednesday. How will this affect you? Watch the video.
- [#197: What Is Driving The Markets? A Santa Claus Rally?](https://fiplanpartners.com/santa-claus-rally/) - This is a busy time of the year in the economy and with all the political rhetoric. Now that the noise of the election and the Fed raising rates is behind us, we can focus on what is and will continue driving the markets.
- [#198: Gas Prices Equals Tax Increase](https://fiplanpartners.com/gas-prices-equals-tax-increase/) - You may have noticed the $0.52 increase in gas prices as you were doing your last minute Christmas shopping this past week. Statistically, a $0.52 jump in gas prices is equivalent to a $60 billion dollar tax increase. That has an immediate impact on the consumer’s bottom line.
- [#199: 2017 Consumers, Change, And Confidence](https://fiplanpartners.com/consumers-change-confidence/) - Three words we believe will be a theme throughout this new year are consumers, change, and confidence. Here are some market trends that you might not have heard of that will affect this theme.
- [#200: International Trade, NFIB, NAFTA and Earnings](https://fiplanpartners.com/international-trade-nfib-nafta-and-earnings/) - International Trade, NAFTA, NFIB, and Earnings There is much going on in our economy in this new year. We are focused on International Trade, NAFTA, NFIB, and earnings. The forgotten earnings season The fourth quarter of 2016 has become the forgotten earnings season. Companies making money is still very important to the markets. While everyone
- [#202: The Trump Administration: What To Expect In The Next Four Years](https://fiplanpartners.com/trump-administration/) - Economic overview There is a lot for us to talk about this morning. Corporate earnings are looking pretty good and we are looking forward to finding out what will happen in this weeks Fed meeting. While we don’t expect the Fed to make any moves yet, it’s important to hear what they have to say.
- [#203: Economic Growth Trends Here And Abroad](https://fiplanpartners.com/economic-growth-trends/) - A historic February This will be a historic February in several ways. This month we will have four of every day of the week. That means in February there are four Mondays, four Tuesdays, four Wednesdays, and so on. This will not happen again for another 823 years. Also we are seeing historic economic growth
- [#204: What is a Fiduciary?](https://fiplanpartners.com/fiduciary/) - A fiduciary is an individual who has been given responsibility by another person to handle their financial assets. Fiduciaries act in the best interest of those they represent.
- [#205: Will Corporate Confidence Lead To Further Market Growth](https://fiplanpartners.com/corporate-confidence/) - Corporate confidence is back Corporate confidence is back as we have seen corporate executives buying back their stocks. That shows they see positives, not only in their companies but in the economy as a whole. Corporate confidence slowed during the election, which was not unexpected, but it has really picked up in the past two
- [#206: The After Tax Value Of Retirement Funds](https://fiplanpartners.com/after-tax-value/) - This Investor's Insight quick tip explains the importance of understanding the after tax value of your retirement fund.
- [#207: Trump Wants To Unleash The American Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/trump-unleash-economy/) - Inflation, business, and regulations We have a lot to talk about this morning regarding inflation, business, and how President Trump wants to unleash the American economy by reducing regulations. This week we are also excited to be celebrating Fi Plan Partners’ 12 year anniversary. We have much to be thankful for and appreciate our clients
- [#208: The Economic Freedom Index Of The United States](https://fiplanpartners.com/economic-freedom-index/) - FACT: Since 1945, there have been twenty-seven years where the markets have gone up in January and February. In all twenty-seven years, the market ended up for that year. There are no guarantees that this will happen this year, but it’s an interesting fact nonetheless. The markets are watching Washington DC A big week in
- [#209: Fed Alludes Interest Rate Hike To Test The Waters](https://fiplanpartners.com/interest-rate-hike/) - "The likelihood of a Fed interest rate hike went from 30% to 90% as several Fed governors tested the waters Friday by alluding to an interest rate hike" This week our attention will turn to the Fed and the jobs number. Unless the jobs number is bad, we believe the Fed will have the ammo
- [#210: Confidence Levels Rise As America Goes To Work](https://fiplanpartners.com/confidence-levels-rise/) - This week the media will be focused on the Fed raising interest rates. We believe the markets have already baked in an interest rate hike and has made adjustments accordingly. Why is the Fed raising interest rates? There are several reasons the Fed is raising interest rates. Manufacturing is in a great recovery right now
- [Why a Financial Blueprint Can Give You Financial Freedom](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-a-financial-blueprint-can-give-you-financial-freedom/) - MONEY Q & A Guest columnist Greg Powell on why you wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint so why would you build your financial future without one either
- [#211: Trump, Policy And Protectionism](https://fiplanpartners.com/protectionism/) - The G20 Summit in Berlin drew a lot of attention this past week. There was a disappointment that they could not reach a fair trade agreement. Much of that had to do with the Trump affect on protectionism and keeping America first. We believe that going forward there will be a bilateral agreement between the
- [#212: Investment Strategies In Spite of Politics](https://fiplanpartners.com/investment-strategies/) - After the healthcare bill was pulled on Friday, it looks like D.C. will remain in gridlock. In spite of that, it is important for investors to keep their investment strategies focused on the economic numbers, not what is going on in Washington D.C.
- [Out Of Boredom Or A Need For Cash, Retirees Want To Go Back To Work](https://fiplanpartners.com/out-of-boredom-or-a-need-for-cash-retirees-want-to-go-back-to-work/) - Investor’s Business Daily® spotlights Greg Powell’s insights on retirement planning and the factors which can affect it
- [#213: How The Fed Funds Rate Affects You](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-funds-rate-affects/) - The Fed Funds rate does not immediately impact the average consumer or investor. However, because this is a base rate for highly credited borrowers, it will slowly trickle through as higher rates to the average consumer.
- [#215: Global Uncertainty And Your Investments](https://fiplanpartners.com/global-uncertainty-investments/) - Events in Syria, Russia, North Korea, Egypt, Sweden, politics in our own country, and the Fed Chair, Janet Yellen, saying that she felt like the market was overvalued have caused global uncertainty. Yet, the market was surprisingly resilient and remained flat.
- [#217 Earnings, D.C. and Dying Retail](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings/) - "180 companies report earnings this week. The most we've had report all in the same week in five years." Companies Reporting Earnings This Week Big week for earnings this week. There are 180 companies reporting. This is the most we’ve had in a week in five years. So far, earnings have been good with approximately
- [#218 Corporate Confidence, Cautious Consumers](https://fiplanpartners.com/corporate-confidence-cautious-consumers/) - With a little over 1/3 of the S&P 500 reporting earnings so far, over 68% are beating expectations. Meanwhile a lower GDP and lower jobs number shows that consumers are more cautious. Will the new set of jobs numbers show stronger consumer confidence?
- [Key Techniques To Achieve Your Goals And Financial Success – Greg Powell Interview](https://fiplanpartners.com/key-techniques-to-achieve-your-goals-and-financial-success-greg-powell-interview/)
- [#219 Economy Growing, Regulations Shrinking](https://fiplanpartners.com/219-economy-growing-regulations-shrinking/) - Economy Growing, Regulations Shrinking Jobs Number Shows Economy Growing Last week, we had a great jobs number which was good to see as the week before we saw a weak GDP number. The services sector, in particular, which makes up 80% of our GDP, was a strong number. This jobs number is even more important
- [#220 Earnings Up, Growth Accelerating](https://fiplanpartners.com/220-earnings-growth-accelerating/) - Earnings Up, Growth Accelerating Earnings & Confidence One of the themes throughout the year so far has been the recession of confidence. We are now starting to see that confidence come back. While you may be seeing and hearing a lot of negative things in the news media today, there actually is a lot of positives occurring behind the scenes. Since
- [#221 Bearish Politics Bullish Corporations](https://fiplanpartners.com/bearish-politics-bullish-corporations/) - Corporate earnings continue to trend bullish while the political scene is more bearish. How will the Fed begin to shrink itself? And how will the three possible positions Trump fills affect the dynamics.
- [#222 Noisy News, Real Earnings, Productivity and Infrastructure](https://fiplanpartners.com/222-noisy-news-real-earnings-productivity/) - A lot of noise outside of the market is occurring this week. However, the bottom line is that earnings matter more than politics right now and the market is demonstrating that. As well, the productivity numbers came out this morning and are up from negative .6 to zero. In terms of productivity, we are also looking at infrastructure. This week you will hear a lot about infrastructure from the White House.
- [#224 Fed Back in Focus](https://fiplanpartners.com/224-fed-back-focus/) - Fed in Focus Today we are talking about the Fed and how they are back in focus. We had a busy week last week in that last Thursday could have been considered “SuperThursday” as Comey testified in the ECB, leaving rates unchanged. There is also a lot of uncertainty with the UK election and the
- [#226 Healthcare, The Fed and Energy](https://fiplanpartners.com/healthcare-fed-energy/) - Healthcare and Medicaid If we had to summarize in one word what the issue is with healthcare right now it would be Medicaid. The problem lies in how Medicaid is politicized and funded. All eyes will be on the Senate to see what they do with healthcare. The healthcare industry, as well as the markets,
- [#227 What is the Yield Curve?](https://fiplanpartners.com/yield-curve/) - In this video, learn what is and the different types of yield curves.
- [#228 Regaining Market Momentum](https://fiplanpartners.com/regaining-market-momentum/) - We are looking for earnings to re-ignite the momentum in the market. Oil production continues as oil and gas prices fall.
- [#229 Three Growth Drivers](https://fiplanpartners.com/three-growth-drivers/) - For the first time in six years Social Security checks will be going up. The second quarter earnings are projected to grow at 6%.
- [#231 Timber Up, Dollar Down](https://fiplanpartners.com/timber-dollar/) - The dollar has hit a 24 month low against the European Union, Euro currency. Although this can sound bad, it actually can be good for U.S. Companies.
- [#232 The Missing Piece](https://fiplanpartners.com/missing-piece/) - What is the next piece to drive the market higher from here? We think it could be tied to the economic data coming out.
- [#233 Good News, Bad News](https://fiplanpartners.com/good-news-bad-news/) - When you hear the market is up and at an all-time high, it is very important to pay attention to exactly what they are referring to when they say “market.”
- [#234 North Korea and the Market](https://fiplanpartners.com/234-north-korea-and-the-market/) - North Korea continues to make headlines and create market uncertainty. This historical data may help put this geopolitical issue in perspective. Source: Strategas All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.
- [#235 Market Data that Concerns Us](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-data-concerns/) - In the first quarter, the consumer household debt rose to a record 12.7 trillion dollars. This is an all-time high, surpassing the 2008 mark.
- [#236 Market Capitalization](https://fiplanpartners.com/236-market-capitalization/) - Market Cap is computed by multiplying the number of outstanding shares times the stock price. There are three main market caps – Large, Mid & Small.
- [#238 Mother Nature, Markets and Moments](https://fiplanpartners.com/mother-nature-markets-moments/) - With the holiday week coming up there will be a lot of people driving. There are estimates that gas prices will go up as much as $0.25 a gallon.
- [#239 A Lot to Do, Not Much Time](https://fiplanpartners.com/a-lot-not-much-time/) - If this uncertainty continues, or if it doesn’t happen, I think we all agree that we will start seeing some more volatility in the market.
- [#240 Dark Clouds, Silver Linings](https://fiplanpartners.com/dark-clouds-silver-linings/) - Last week, President Trump and the democrats came to a good agreement about pushing debt ceiling and country funding out to the end of the year.
- [#241 Fork in the Road: The Fed and the Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-fed-markets/) - The Fed will be a big topic this week. We are looking for three things; will Janet Yellen be reappointed, is a rate hike coming, when will the Fed start selling bonds?
- [#243 Pivotal Fourth Quarter Decisions](https://fiplanpartners.com/pivotal-fourth-quarter-decisions/) - There are 90 days left until the end of the year. Something we have been looking at is four scenarios that could play out before then.
- [#244 Confidence Makes the Difference](https://fiplanpartners.com/confidence-makes-the-difference/) - Financials are looking very good right now, in fact, the U.S. Banking System earned 48.3 billion dollars during the second quarter.
- [#245 Whirlwind of Economic News](https://fiplanpartners.com/whirlwind-economic-news/) - This is a huge week for the process of getting tax reform pushed through. The first thing they have to do is pass a 1.5 trillion dollar budget resolution which takes 50 votes from the Senate.
- [Hoover resident, financial planner releases debut book](https://fiplanpartners.com/hoover-resident-financial-planner-releases-debut-book/) - Hoover Sun focuses on debut of book, Better, Richer, Fuller, written by one of its own
- [#246 Biggest Week of the Year?](https://fiplanpartners.com/biggest-week-year/) - There will be 189 companies in the S&P 500 that will report earnings this week. Tax Reform continues to be a hot topic in Washington.
- [#247 Fed Chair World Series](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-chair-world-series/) - Similar to the current World Series, it has been an interesting path of ups and downs in determining the candidates for Fed Chair.
- [#248 U.S. Tax Code](https://fiplanpartners.com/tax-code/) - With tax reform making headlines recently, Trey Booth reviews the U.S. Tax Code in this week’s vlog.
- [#249 Can Small Events Cause Big Disruptions?](https://fiplanpartners.com/small-events-big-disruptions/) - While people stay focused on larger events, it’s crucial that people don’t take their eyes off the smaller events. These events can lead to big disruptions.
- [Fi-Plan Partners CEO Greg Powell has spent a career talking about the things that really matter when it comes to money](https://fiplanpartners.com/fi-plan-partners-ceo-greg-powell-has-spent-a-career-talking-about-the-things-that-really-matter-when-it-comes-to-money/) - BHM BIZ, Metro Birmingham Business, has its pulse on the real stories behind the headlines. Feature article on Greg Powell with over 37 years in the financial industry shares his clients’ questions and concerns over money and life
- [#251 Finding Thanks in the Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/finding-thanks/) - As we head into Friday and Monday, the biggest shopping days of the year, we can see that the consumer is showing strength.
- [#252 Confidence Becomes Action](https://fiplanpartners.com/confidence-becomes-action/) - Corporations are out there spending in anticipation of the market being even better next year. One indicator of this is share buybacks.
- [#253 Investment Blind Spots](https://fiplanpartners.com/investment-blindspots/) - We received a client email last week that raised the question: What are the current threats to the markets besides politics?
- [#254 Jobs, Rates and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/jobs-rates-markets/) - One great thing we saw from the jobs report was that every educational level, post high school, enjoyed job growth. This hasn’t happened in a long time.
- [#257 Can Confidence Carry the Market?](https://fiplanpartners.com/can-confidence-carry-market/) - We have talked about confidence all year long. Last week we got some news tied to confidence that gives us some more confirmation.
- [#258 The What-Ifs of 2018](https://fiplanpartners.com/what-ifs-2018/) - At the tail end of 2017 we’ve seen productivity shoot up to unexpected high levels. Will we continue to see this trend in 2018?
- [How to build your financial house](https://www.smallbusinessadvocate.com/small-business-interviews/greg-powell-26201) - Jim Blasingame Small Business Advocate Radio Show, Greg discusses Better, Richer, Fuller, his new book
- [Capital City Recap](https://fiplanpartners.com/capital-city-recap/) - No more anxiety or fear – featuring Greg Powell’s inaugural book, Better, Richer, Fuller, interview with Capital City WILS Radio broadcast
- [Do you have a comprehensive financial blue print?](https://fiplanpartners.com/do-you-have-a-comprehensive-financial-blue-print/) - Are you building your financial future with a blueprint? Greg Powell shares details of the Financial Blueprint on Jim Blasingame’s Small Business Advocate Radio Show
- [Alabama Business Spotlight: Birmingham Firm Empowers Clients to Achieve the American Dream](https://fiplanpartners.com/alabama-business-spotlight-birmingham-firm-empowers-clients-to-achieve-the-american-dream/) - Business Council of Alabama spotlight on Greg Powell and his firm, Fi Plan Partners, featured in Yellowhammer news – Greg explains how his firm is not like the others
- [#259 Will the Markets Keep on Trucking?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-markets-keep-trucking/) - Infrastructure could also lead way to creating more jobs. Nearly a million employees are expected to get a one-time bonus because of the tax bill.
- [#260 Will the Government Shutdown Impact Your Money?](https://fiplanpartners.com/government-shutdown-impact-money/) - This year, for the first time since 1970, the US will have more oil output than Saudi Arabia. This could change the political dynamics with the Middle East.
- [#261 Market Super Bowl Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-super-bowl/) - One hundred of the S&P 500’s largest companies in the U.S. will report earnings this week. This could serve as the “super bowl” category of the week.
- [#262 2018 Outlook: U.S. Treasury Bonds](https://fiplanpartners.com/2018-outlook-bonds/) - Bond Market Impact One thing we think could be very impactful this year is the bond market. If you look over the last 40 to 50 years, interest rates have mostly come down from the late 1980’s to present day. Every year it has essentially been cheaper for the U.S. to refinance and increase its
- [#263 2018 Outlook: U.S. Manufacturing Sector](https://fiplanpartners.com/2018-outlook-manufacturing/) - Manufacturing Sector Manufacturing seems to be roaring back and helping with the economy. It is a large sector of the U.S. that was down during the financial crisis from 2008 to 2010. Here recently, it appears to be coming back very nicely. One thing to look at is the absolute growth of manufacturing. This consists
- [#264 Pivotal Point: Is This the Moment for 2018?](https://fiplanpartners.com/pivotal-point-moment/) - Recently, we have had emails and phone calls regarding volatility. There are some reasons why we think you shouldn’t read too much in to this.
- [Fi Plan Partners’ Greg Powell on the Matt & Aunie Show on Talk 99.5](https://fiplanpartners.com/fi-plan-partners-greg-powell-on-the-matt-aunie-show-on-talk-99-5/) - What happened in the market explained in 30 short minutes – Greg responds on Matt and Aunie
- [#265 Markets: Here We Go Again](https://fiplanpartners.com/here-we-go-again/) - For the first time in over a decade, the cost of capital is being driven by the markets as opposed to central banks. This feels like a transitional period.
- [#266 New Market Playbook?](https://fiplanpartners.com/new-market-playbook/) - Historically, in the first six months of when a new Fed chairperson is in place, there is an average 15.6% pullback in the market.
- [#267 World Of Changes](https://fiplanpartners.com/world-changes/) - We have had a modest expansion for around 9 years so it’s important to keep an eye on this generation that hasn’t experienced something like this before.
- [#269 Bull Market and Jobs](https://fiplanpartners.com/bull-market-jobs/) - There was an influx of 653,000 people that came back into the job market in the month of February. In addition to that, every sector grew, but government.
- [Please check out this article on CNBC.com, which features market insights from Fi Plan Partners CEO, Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/please-check-out-this-article-on-cnbc-com-which-features-market-insights-from-fi-plan-partners-ceo-greg-powell/)
- [#270 It's the Data, Not the Noise](https://fiplanpartners.com/data-not-noise/) - We are focusing underneath the hood on what we think is important. We still have strong corporate earnings, robust consumer optimism and low unemployment.
- [#271 Playing Chess, Not Checkers](https://fiplanpartners.com/playing-chess-not-checkers/) - On Friday, China retaliated by saying they would put tariffs on 128 American products. When these types of things happen we like to look at the numbers.
- [#272 Three Things That Can Lead To Recession](https://fiplanpartners.com/three-things-can-lead-recession/) - The volatility that has popped up in the market is more of the norm, unlike the abnormality we saw in 2017 with the all-time low volatility.
- [#273 Technical Takeover](https://fiplanpartners.com/technical-takeover/) - We have had a long period of time with no fundamental drivers. In the meantime, the technical side has really taken over.
- [#274 Politics Never Sleeps](https://fiplanpartners.com/politics-never-sleeps/) - Earning season kicks off this week. NAFTA talks and trade with Mexico and Canada are really progressing quicker than most expectations.
- [Greg Powell featured in Private Wealth Magazine](https://www.fa-mag.com/news/how-democratizing-the-family-office-model-can-rescue-the--overlooked-millionaires--investor-segment-38089.html?section=66) - In his piece, Greg shares his thoughts on Democratizing the Family Office Model.
- [#275 Domestically Focused](https://fiplanpartners.com/domestically-focused/) - One point we want to focus on this week is retail sales. The tax reform bill passed late last year should be affecting paychecks by this point.
- [#276 3's a Charm](https://fiplanpartners.com/3s-charm/) - We are in the middle of a great earnings season. So far, 80% of the companies that have reported earnings have beat expectations.
- [#277 Show Me the Market](https://fiplanpartners.com/show-market/) - Earnings are continuing to come in strong. However, the indexes have remained relatively flat. This has us saying “Show Me the Market.”
- [#278 Trade, Oil and Patents](https://fiplanpartners.com/trade-oil-patents/) - The attention will now be on trade. Discussions of trade with China and trade talks with NAFTA have come to the forefront.
- [Deregulation and innovation will extend the bull market run, says Greg Powell](https://www.reuters.com/video/2018/05/21/deregulation-and-innovation-will-extend?videoId=429103710&videoChannel=5&channelName=Business) - Greg Powell sits down with Reuters TV journalist Fred Katayama in New York to discuss how deregulation and innovation could extend the current bull market run.
- [#279 As The Market World Turns](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-world-turns/) - Speaker Paul Ryan has set a deadline for this Thursday for NAFTA talks. All year long trade has been a primary suspect of volatility in the market.
- [Fred Katayama, includes additional remarks by Greg Powell in Reuters market wraps](https://www.reuters.com/video/2018/05/21/wall-street-climbs-on-trade-war-truce?videoId=429123636&videoChannel=5) - “The Chinese news soothes the investors’ nerves” says Powell
- [Bobby Norman and Greg Powell at New York Stock Exchange](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/05/23/video/2017/10/17/closing-bell-ringer-date.html) - At the invitation of BP Capital, Fi Plan Partners is well represented as T Boon Pickens rings the bell.
- [#280 Global Influence and the Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/global-influence-fed/) - This year we have had great corporate earnings, a robust economy and a strong consumer. However, all the attention has been on the trade war talks.
- [#281 No Market, Summer Vacation](https://fiplanpartners.com/no-market-summer-vacation/) - This summer should be very active. Corporations are expected to put 650 billion dollars of their own cash into buying back their stock this year.
- [Fox Business, Liz Claman, asks Powell which sectors investors should watch on “The Closing Bell”](http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/5795401482001/?playlist_id=933116626001#sp=show-clips) - Fi Plan Partner CEO Greg Powell discusses which sectors investors should watch and why people should avoid investing in multinational corporations.
- [#282 How to Make Friends and Influence Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/make-friends-influence-markets/) - The economy added 223,000 jobs in May and the unemployment rate is at 3.8%. This is the lowest rate in the last 18 years. Layoffs are also at a 50 year low.
- [Overlooked Millionaires: Finding A Home In The Democratized Family Office Model Of Financial Advice](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2018/06/12/overlooked-millionaires-finding-a-home-in-the-democratized-family-office-model-of-financial-advice/#57b62a7f337a) - How the model of the democratized family office meets the needs of a growing segment of the population
- [#283 Most Impactful Week of the Year?](https://fiplanpartners.com/impactful-week-year/) - The global economy, outside of the U.S., has started to slow down. Will our Fed adjust their rate path because of issues outside the U.S.?
- [#284 Trade Wars: The Market Strikes Back](https://fiplanpartners.com/trade-wars-market-strikes-back/) - On Friday the U.S. announced tariffs on Chinese goods. Over the weekend, as expected, China and India announced tariffs on U.S. goods.
- [#285 The Storm Before the Calm](https://fiplanpartners.com/storm-calm/) - The NFIB small business optimism index in May hit its’ highest level since 1983 and its’ second highest on record. Bonuses hit a record high of 2.4%.
- [Private Wealth Magazine: Expert Views by Greg Powell](https://www.fa-mag.com/news/aligning-client-lifestyle--dreams-and-legacy-goals-with-wealth-objectives-39621.html?section=66) - Aligning Client Lifestyle, Dreams and Legacy Goals With Wealth Objectives by Greg Powell, featured in Private Wealth Magazine.
- [#286 Tariffs Then, Tariffs Now](https://fiplanpartners.com/tariffs-tariffs-now/) - Over the weekend, Mexico elected a new president in Andrés Manuel López Obrador. He is uniquely socially conservative and economically liberal.
- [#287 Headlines Not Creating Headwinds](https://fiplanpartners.com/headlines-not-creating-headwinds/) - The trade tariffs were enacted but the market was up thanks to a good jobs number. There were 213,000 jobs created last month.
- [#288 Three Financial Forces](https://fiplanpartners.com/three-financial-forces/) - Since 2009, 69% of the S&P 500 companies have beat expectations. After the first quarter of this year 79% have beat expectations.
- [#289 Strong Earnings vs. Strong Talk](https://fiplanpartners.com/strong-earnings-vs-strong-talk/) - We expect GDP to pick up this quarter to anywhere around 3.5% to 4%. We have seen much better consumer spending and business investments in the economy.
- [Reuters, Fred Katayama, talks with Greg Powell regarding market sectors and community banks](https://www.reuters.com/video/2018/07/26/community-bank-stocks-make-good-investme?videoId=449084076) - Greg Powell discusses market sectors via Skype interview with Fred Katayama of Reuters TV.
- [#290 Undercurrents in the Market](https://fiplanpartners.com/undercurrents-market/) - On Friday, the second quarter GDP number came out at 4.1%. This number represents the total growth of the U.S. economy, net of inflation.
- [#291 Tariffs and the Global Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/tariffs-global-economy/) - With all the trade and tariff talks going on, what players in the global economy will get hurt the most in relative terms?
- [#292 Domestic Strengths vs. International Alarms](https://fiplanpartners.com/domestic-strengths-vs-international-alarms/) - Currently second quarter corporate earnings are up around 23%. Expectations were that 190,000 jobs would be added in July.
- [#293 College 529 Plans](https://fiplanpartners.com/college-plans/) - One of the ways to start saving for college expenses is a 529 plan. A benefit of one of these plans is that earnings grow tax deferred.
- [#294 Turkey Time Bomb?](https://fiplanpartners.com/turkey-time-bomb/) - On Friday Turkey’s currency crashed. They have a government that has kept interest rates too low for too long and have also had out of control spending.
- [#295 Importance of the Unemployment Rate](https://fiplanpartners.com/importance-of-the-unemployment-rate/) - One month versus another may not impact your portfolio directly but, over time, as we see more people becoming employed, we see more people saving.
- [#296 Answering Client Questions](https://fiplanpartners.com/answering-client-questions/) - The current bull market has lasted 3,245 days and is the second longest on record. The longest was 4,494 days and that was from late 1987 to early 2000s.
- [#297 Drop in Social Security Disability Payments](https://fiplanpartners.com/drop-social-security-disability-payments/) - We would like to discuss the drop in social security disability payments and their direct and indirect impacts on the economy.
- [#298 Moving Fast Into The Holiday](https://fiplanpartners.com/moving-fast-holiday/) - Over the weekend, the Atlanta Fed said that the third quarter GDP is growing at 4.6%. If this holds up that would be a great number.
- [#300 Housing Boom or Bust?](https://fiplanpartners.com/housing-boom-bust/) - Mortgage applications are still low versus their history. The concern is that we have a booming economy and record employment.
- [How High-Net-Worth Individuals Can Form Their Own Financial Advisory Boards](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2018/09/10/how-high-net-worth-individuals-can-form-their-own-financial-advisory-boards/#47a3a20353ae) - What questions should high-net-worth business owners be asking professionals?
- [#301 Eye on the Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/eye-on-the-fed/) - The Federal Reserve has a lot of control in each meeting over the short terms such as the 3-month and 2-year Treasury bond yields.
- [#302 Market Losses and Job Gains](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-losses-job-gains/) - The gain in wage growth, year-over-year, is 2.9% which is the best number we have had in years. This is a very important number.
- [#303 The Financial Crisis - 10 Years Later](https://fiplanpartners.com/financial-crisis-years-later/) - When you have a major economic crisis event similar to what happened in 2008, both positive and negative events can occur but will eventually fade away.
- [#304 Too Good To Be True?](https://fiplanpartners.com/good-true/) - The Chinese economy is growing at a 5.3% rate. Since that data has first started being collected 25 years ago, they’ve never seen a growth rate this slow.
- [#305 Healthcare Costs](https://fiplanpartners.com/healthcare-costs/) - We work with individual and corporate clients that have concerns on healthcare costs. Last year the Affordable Care Act was a vote away from being repealed.
- [#306 Interest Rates Rising?](https://fiplanpartners.com/interest-rates-rising/) - Federal Reserve Meeting The biggest part of the week is the Federal Reserve’s meeting and what their announcement will be. It’s not what they are going to do, which is likely raise rates, but what they will say that is very important. The Fed right now, in our opinion, is the most likely driver of
- [#307 Sector Reclassification - Why it Matters](https://fiplanpartners.com/sector-reclassification-matters/) - Communication Services Sector Rarely does the S&P come up with new sectors. Large sectors such as technology and banking seem to stand the test of time. This week a new sector will be coming out. It’s more impactful than it might appear because of the sheer numbers. The new sector will be called the communications
- [#308 Big News North of the Border](https://fiplanpartners.com/big-news-north-of-the-border/) - This Week We have a big week ahead with data coming out on consumer spending, mortgage applications, nonfarm payrolls, and the ISM manufacturing index. We watch the nonfarm payrolls closely every month and we believe that hurricane Florence could cause an impact on the data so we are watching it even closer this month. ISM
- [#309 Unemployment Numbers](https://fiplanpartners.com/unemployment-numbers/) - Part-Time Work During The Financial Crisis of 2008 you could be almost anywhere and hear someone say they had lost their full-time job but had started making ends meet by working two part-time jobs. Before 2008, just under 4 million workers were employed part-time, which is working 34 hours or less each week. That number
- [#310 The Bond Market Flexes Its Muscles](https://fiplanpartners.com/bond-market-flexes-muscles/) - Recent Bond Market Impact James Carville said back in the 1990’s that if he died he wanted to come back as the bond market because it’s more powerful than the president. Whether that is true or not we aren’t sure, but what we have witnessed is the power of the bond market this last week.
- [#311 Senator Del Marsh](https://fiplanpartners.com/senator-del-marsh/) - Senator Del Marsh Bio Senator Del Marsh is a Republican State Senator who represents Senate District 12 consisting of all of Calhoun County, a portion of Talladega County and a portion of Clay County. He was elected the Senate President Pro Tempore for the 2011-2014 Quadrennium and again for the 2015-2018 Quadrennium. Senator Marsh is
- [The Homewood Star - Financial planning discussed at luncheon](https://thehomewoodstar.com/businesses/financial-planning-up-for-discussion-at-luncheon1016/) - Greg Powell speaks at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce luncheon about planning for the future.
- [Reuters, Fred Katayama, talks with Greg Powell regarding market strategies ahead of the Midterm Elections](https://www.reuters.com/video/2018/10/15/which-stocks-to-bet-on-for-the-mid-term?videoId=473720306) - Greg Powell joined Fred Katayama on Reuters to discuss market strategies ahead of the Midterm Elections.
- [#312 Goodbye Deflation, Hello Inflation](https://fiplanpartners.com/goodbye-deflation-hello-inflation/) - Where to Go From Here Last week the market traded back, that’s no secret. The yield of the 10-year treasury hit a 7-year high. Vice President Pence recently gave a speech saying US and China relations are not getting any better. Allegations were that China was putting spy chips in our technology making tech stocks
- [#313 Attorney General Steve Marshall](https://fiplanpartners.com/attorney-general-steve-marshall/) - Attorney General Steve Marshall Bio Steve Marshall became the 48th AG of Alabama in 2017. He is a native of Atmore and graduated from UNC at Chapel Hill and UA School of Law. He served Marshall County as District Attorney from 2001 - 2017. When he was sworn in at age 36, he became the
- [3 Ways Advisors Can Help Business-Owner Clients Succeed](https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2018/10/22/3-ways-to-guide-clients-whose-business-is-their-ma/) - Advisors must work with entrepreneurial clients to see how their companies fit into their broader portfolios.
- [#316 Market Trick or Treat](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-trick-treat/) - The Downturn As we are analyzing the market downturn, we hear a lot of talk on tariffs and politics, but, we want to put some of the focus on the rising dollar. The issue with the rising dollar is that it’s putting pressure on corporations doing business overseas and making it more expensive to do
- [#317 Jeff Bush](https://fiplanpartners.com/jeff-bush/) - Jeff Bush Jeff Bush is a dynamic and insightful speaker and author known for his unique ability to decode difficult and confusing fiscal information coming out of Washington. Jeff is an integral part of The Washington Update, the industry thought leader that guides domestic clients through the complex and ever-changing political and tax environment, and
- [#318 Hold Your Breath](https://fiplanpartners.com/hold-your-breath/) - Impact of The Elections There is supposed to be a record turnout at the polls this year for the midterm elections. We will be focusing on how the election will impact the markets. There’s no guarantee about future performance but from a historical standpoint, according to our research partners, up to 15 times that the
- [#319 Getting To Know Jay McGowan](https://fiplanpartners.com/jay-mcgowan/) - Professional Jay McGowan joined Fi Plan Partners and applies his vast experience and knowledge in the financial planning arena in coordination with those advisors on the portfolio strategies side of the firm. Jay began his career as an accountant and has served as senior audit associate and director of finance. In addition, Jay has served
- [#320 Happy Veterans Day](https://fiplanpartners.com/happy-veterans-day/) -  Thank you Today we wanted to start by saying a special thank you to our very own, Felicia Ludlum, and all the veterans out there that have served our country. Felicia joined the military straight out of high school and served 8 years in the Army. We are thankful for you all and the
- [Financial Advisor – Four Important Tips To Help Clients Teach Their Kids About Money](https://www.fa-mag.com/news/4-important-tips-to-help-clients-teach-their-kids-about-money-41908.html) - When it comes to retirement planning, most clients fail to realize that their children have a significant role to play on their “retirement team.”
- [#321 Tariffs and the American Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/tariffs-american-economy/) - Industrial & Producing Consumer Products With everything you read and watch in the popular press dealing with tariffs and trade, we believe that there are two large categories associated with these. The first is industrial and producing consumer products. That includes the making of clothes, furniture and other items. This is more of a traditional
- [#322 Short Week, Big News](https://fiplanpartners.com/short-week-big-news/) - Housing Data Housing data is coming out this week which includes home starts and mortgage applications. The housing data so far in this recovery phase has been surprisingly weak. We have seen a little bit of a drag to the economy in this area. It will be important to keep an eye on. Durable Goods
- [CNBC talks market volatility with Greg Powell](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/23/stock-markets-dow-set-for-losses-as-trading-resumes-for-half-day.html) - Greg reflects on how trade talks could change the dynamic in the market from a sentiment standpoint.
- [#323 Let's Talk Turkey](https://fiplanpartners.com/lets-talk-turkey/) - Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving! On this holiday we wanted to step back from the markets for a minute but still stick with the numbers and provide you with some fun Thanksgiving Day facts. Turkey, Turkey and More Turkey The average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is down $0.22 from last year to $48.90. This is
- [#324 Bearish Thanksgiving, Bullish Christmas?](https://fiplanpartners.com/bearish-thanksgiving-bullish-christmas/) - Positives We are coming off the worst market performance for the week of Thanksgiving since 2011, however, there’s still a lot to be thankful for such as the consumer. Consumers make up 70% of our economy. Black Friday sales could end up totaling over $23 billion in sales which is a 9% increase from last
- [#326 Year-End Tailwinds](https://fiplanpartners.com/year-end-tailwinds/) - October October of this year was one of the nastiest months ever for the market. Dating back to 1901 there hasn’t been a time, other than last month, in which that many asset classes were down in a single month, according to Deutsche Bank. In last weeks’ vlog, #324 Bearish Thanksgiving, Bullish Christmas?, we said
- [#327 End-of-the-Year Checklist](https://fiplanpartners.com/end-of-the-year-checklist/) - College Saving Plans For those are you that are contributing to 529 education savings plans or private school education remember, as an Alabama taxpayer, an individual filer can get a $5,000 state income tax deduction and joint filers can get up to a $10,000 state tax deduction. Those contributions must be in before year end
- [It's All Connected](https://fiplanpartners.com/its-all-connected/) -  Global Impact We prefaced this last week, but the most important data point each month is the jobs data point. The reason for that is because that's the information that the Federal Reserve is looking at to decide whether or not they should reduce, increase, or continue their bond purchases. The Fed has said
- [#328 Let Patience Be Your Power](https://fiplanpartners.com/let-patience-be-your-power/) -  Long-Term Plan We recognize the impact that the volatility has had this year, especially on investor confidence in the last couple of months. It’s important at a time like this to maintain your long-term plan. It’s not good to react too strongly to the type of market swings we have witnessed during the last
- [Business Owners, Here's How To Tell If Your Financial Advisor Offers The Capabilities You Need](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2018/12/14/business-owners-heres-how-to-tell-if-your-financial-advisor-offers-the-capabilities-you-need/#1736688a4673) - Individuals in the growing "overlooked millionaire" class, those with investments too big for most advisors to serve but too small to attract the attention of larger asset management groups, need to ask themselves critical questions to ensure that their finances are being adequately handled.
- [#329 Inverted Yield Curve](https://fiplanpartners.com/inverted-yield-curve/) -  What is an Inverted Yield Curve? We wanted to talk about two things today. One, what is an inverted yield curve? Two, why does it matter? An inverted yield curve is when the short end of the curve, the three-month treasury or CD rates, are higher than the long end, the 2-year, 5-year, and
- [#330 Grinch Market?](https://fiplanpartners.com/grinch-market/) - Volatility Continues The volatility continued last week especially on Friday where China was the culprit. China reported surprisingly weak industrial production and retail sales numbers. Their retail sales for China were the worst they’ve been in 15 years. We are starting to see the trade war have a negative impact on the Chinese consumer. This
- [#331 The Impact Of Computer Trading](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-impact-of-computer-trading/) -  What is Computer Trading? The reason we wanted to cover computer trading and give you a little bit of what its background is, why we have it and does it help or hurt markets, is because we've gotten a lot of questions from clients about it. There's a general anecdotal feeling out there that
- [#332 Market: Naughty or Nice?](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-naughty-or-nice/) -  Retail Sales Some positivity going into Christmas tomorrow, retail sales rose in November and the October number was revised up. Retail sales, year-over-year, is up 4.3%, which is a great number. That report is consistent with a higher than expected GDP number for the fourth quarter. We say all the time that 70% of
- [#334 2019, Wall of Worry?](https://fiplanpartners.com/2019-wall-of-worry/) -  The Bulls of the Market On Monday of last week, we had one of the worst market performances for a Christmas Eve and then on Wednesday the Dow Jones had its best day ever. To say it's been a roller coaster ride is an understatement. Going into 2019 the bulls of the market have
- [#335 Importance of an Independent Fed](https://fiplanpartners.com/importance-of-an-independent-fed/) -  Why an independent Federal Reserve? Over the next two or three weeks you're going to see a lot more effort on the part of the administration to have discussions with the Federal Reserve to somewhat interject politics into that area. We've already seen that a little bit with the criticism that has come along
- [#336 New Year, New Thoughts](https://fiplanpartners.com/new-year-new-thoughts/) -  Central Banks We can see the European Central Bank step in with some stimulus. So, the Brexit is not going well. That's really having a negative impact on the European economies. Therefore, we could see the European Central Bank take action there. Also, we expect the U.S. and China trade talks to work itself
- [#337 Good News, Bad News](https://fiplanpartners.com/good-news-bad-news-2/) -  Why the Fed Raises Rates We wanted to talk to you about how good news for the economy could possibly be bad news for the markets. This topic can sound counterintuitive so let us explain. When the economy is growing, more jobs are being added, which leads to more money and investing, one would
- [#339 Client Q&A](https://fiplanpartners.com/client-qa/) -  Brexit We have mentioned Brexit multiple times in our vlogs over the last few years. It always seems like Brexit is about to happen and then nothing is done, however this week it really appears to be the “move or don't move” moment. In order to make things happen, Theresa May must pass the
- [#340 2019 Contribution Limits](https://fiplanpartners.com/contribution-limits/) -  IRA Contribution Changes We do a lot of financial planning here at Fi Plan Partners. One of the most important planning tools to our clients is 401(k) and IRAs. It's a great way to save money in a tax-deferred or tax-free nature. The good news is that this year IRA contribution limits are going
- [#341 House, Kids and Taxes](https://fiplanpartners.com/house-kids-and-taxes/) -  Child Tax Credit The market is a pricing mechanism for future expectations, positive or negative. The market then prices that in. Something we don’t believe is being priced in is the increase in child tax credit to $2,000 per child, an $800 increase. If you have children it’s more likely that $800 that has
- [#342 Technology Update: Online Financial Tools](https://fiplanpartners.com/technology-update-online-financial-tools/) -  Technology Update: Online Financial Tools Adam reviews over some of the many online financial tools Fi Plan Partners has to offer. This includes a quick walk-through of our website. It also includes the steps needed to download our app icon and how to navigate through the tabs in an easy and seamless manner.
- [#343 Market Moving Week](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-moving-week/) - Earnings This week will be an important one for companies reporting earnings. There will be 126 S&P companies reporting this week. This includes 3 of the biggest stocks in the world in Apple, Microsoft and Amazon. The good news is that 20% of the S&P companies have already reported earnings and so far they have
- [#344 Ways the Fed Impacts our Economy](https://fiplanpartners.com/ways-the-fed-impacts-our-economy/) -  Interest Rate Impact We wanted to talk to you about the size of the Federal Reserve balance sheet. What are the two main ways in which the Federal Reserve impacts the economy? The first is likely the one you are probably most familiar with. If interest rates go up, the cost of capital is
- [Reuters, Fred Katayama, talks with Greg Powell before the State of the Union Address](https://in.reuters.com/video/2019/02/05/avoid-reits-and-emerging-markets-says-fi?videoId=511676416) - Greg discusses which sectors to watch prior to the State of the Union address with Fred Katayama on Reuters.
- [#345 When People Work, Markets Work](https://fiplanpartners.com/when-people-work-markets-work/) -  Mortgage Rates We are watching the price action of the 10-year treasury yield. Last week we had the biggest drop in over a month even after a great jobs report on Friday. The 10-year treasury is currently at 2.7%. We are having some economic strength that usually drives rates up. However, the Fed holding
- [#346 ETF vs Mutual Fund](https://fiplanpartners.com/etf-vs-mutual-fund/) - ETF An exchange traded fund (ETF) is a pool or basket of investments that can be low cost. They trade similar to stocks in that they are priced throughout the day (intraday). Also, they are tax efficient because they do not distribute capital gains. Mutual Fund A mutual fund is similar to an ETF in
- [#347 Far East Focus](https://fiplanpartners.com/far-east-focus/) - Unknowns Last year we had two big unknowns. We didn’t know what the Fed was going to do and we didn’t know what would happen to the trade talks between the U.S. and China. One of those unknowns has seemed to clear up. The Fed appears to be on the sidelines and we've seen a
- [#348 Tax Information: 1099s and Mutual Funds](https://fiplanpartners.com/tax-information-1099s-and-mutual-funds/) -  1099s We wanted to talk to you today about 1099s and what can possibly lead to the delay of receiving these. Bobby and Adam discussed mutual funds in last week’s vlog #346 ETF vs Mutual Fund. Mutual fund companies have what’s referred to as income reclassification. Income reclassification refers to changes companies make to
- [#349 U.S. Focus](https://fiplanpartners.com/u-s-focus/) -  The Presidential Impact The third year of a presidential cycle, which we’re in now, is historically the best year for markets. We are eager to see this week if we get a better market in this cycle like it’s happened in the past. Typically you see the increase in the markets at this time
- [#350 Emergency Funds](https://fiplanpartners.com/emergency-funds/) -  Being Prepared A recent study showed that 57% of adults in America have less than $1,000 in savings which is very alarming. When we go through financial plans and help people navigate different situations, things tend to come up that you're not expecting and not budgeted for. Things such as housing problems, automotive issues,
- [#351 Will the Rally Continue?](https://fiplanpartners.com/will-the-rally-continue/) -  The Market Listens The fourth quarter GDP was delayed due to the government shutdown and depending on the data being released this week, it should give us an idea of what happened at the end of last year, from an economic standpoint, when the markets fell off a cliff. We've had a strong start
- [#352 Going Public](https://fiplanpartners.com/going-public/) -  Banner Year You may have noticed on some of our recent Monday morning vlogs that we've talked about how many more companies are going public. This year should be a banner year for that. Most of the companies are building technologies such as things like how you buy your groceries, how you purchase various
- [#353 New Month, New Thoughts](https://fiplanpartners.com/new-month-new-thoughts/) -  Seeking Positivity Lately, we've been getting a lot of negative economic reports and believe we’re overdue for some good reporting. Hopefully the jobs report that comes out this Friday will be the catalyst or x-factor we are looking for to generate some positivity. Economists expect around a 1% jobs growth gain for February and
- [#354 Liabilities on Corporate Balance Sheets](https://fiplanpartners.com/liabilities-on-corporate-balance-sheets/) -  Tax Changes I want to talk about a major tax change that is going to come into play in the earnings reports for the first quarter. Starting January 1, 2019, the Accounting Board changed the way that companies can account for their leases. Leases like office space equipment typically have been off balance sheets
- [#355 Two Out of Three Ain't Bad](https://fiplanpartners.com/two-out-of-three-aint-bad/) -  Three Big Indicators Lately, lots of reports are discussing the job’s numbers being off, but, that's only one of three main indicators of the market. The three main indicators are the jobs number, wage growth, and productivity growth. These three indicators are interconnected. We're seeing a lot of news coverage on the February jobs
- [#356 Why Pennies Matter](https://fiplanpartners.com/why-pennies-matter/) -  Gas Prices There is an importance in the change in gas prices that you see every day at the pump. We will explain why that matters for the U.S. economy. Every day as you drive in and out of work you probably see the gas price change up and down sometimes by only one
- [How To Teach Your Kids Financial Literacy](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2019/03/19/how-to-teach-your-kids-financial-literacy/#66abb57d6f9f) - Have I taught my kids about money and about their role in my retirement plans?
- [#357 Follow The Breadcrumbs](https://fiplanpartners.com/follow-the-breadcrumbs/) -  Economic Controls A couple of months ago we did a vlog on the two ways that the Federal Reserve really controls the economy on the monetary policy side. One way they control the economy is interest rates which is the area people are most familiar with. The other is the size of the balance sheets.
- [#358 The Basics Of Estate Planning](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-basics-of-estate-planning/) -  Who Needs Estate Planning? Often when people hear estate planning, they think that it might not apply to them. They think because they don't have a significant amount of net worth that it’s not something they need to investigate. However, everyone needs an estate plan regardless of your financial situation. Working with a well-trained
- [#359 Which Way Are We Headed?](https://fiplanpartners.com/which-way-are-we-headed/) -  Yield Curve A lot went on with the market last week. Volatility came back strong on Friday after the manufacturing number came in at the lowest level in 21 months. Germany then reported a very low number and the Eurozone total was the worst it’s been in 6 years. The fears of a global
- [#360 Transparency in Health Care Costs](https://fiplanpartners.com/transparency-in-health-care-costs/) -  Transparency Can we make Health Care costs more transparent and can they ultimately impact markets? There is an initiative coming up right now derived by the Department of Health and Human Services. They're in a what-you-call “case and comment period” about whether we can make Health Care costs more transparent for the consumer and
- [#361 Rebound or Rally?](https://fiplanpartners.com/rebound-or-rally/) -  Historical Performance After a horrible end to 2018, we had a strong first quarter to start in 2019. No guarantees, of course, but an interesting fact is that 9 out of the past 10 times that the S&P 500 was up at least 10% for the first quarter, the year turned out to be
- [#362 IPOs - What has Changed?](https://fiplanpartners.com/ipos-what-has-changed/) -  IPOs We've had a surprisingly large amount of client interest in 2019 having to do with the IPO market. That's probably a good thing that people are interested in stocks becoming public. However, there's an underlying fear of whether this is like 1999 and 2000 when we had the “.com bubble.” Our Portfolio Team
- [#363 Ignore Recession Talks...For Now](https://fiplanpartners.com/ignore-recession-talks-for-now/) -  Jobs We had a great report last week that the number of people filing for unemployment benefits has hit a 50-year low. Hopefully this will dial back recession talks. For the month of March we had a great jobs number. This number was a lot more encouraging than February’s number. There was one interesting
- [#364 Navigating A Hot Real Estate Market](https://fiplanpartners.com/navigating-a-hot-real-estate-market/) -  Housing Costs Today we want to discuss the real estate market. As the spring and summer months are heating up, weather-wise, you have likely noticed that the real estate market is heating up as well. There are many factors that contribute to the rise in the real estate market this time of year. People
- [#365 Short Week, Big Impact](https://fiplanpartners.com/short-week-big-impact/) -  Small Business Optimism Happy Tax Day! Last week we talked about the importance of the economic reports turning positive. We got more confirmation on that when we saw small business optimism improved in March. Why do we care about that and why should you care as an investor? We care because small business optimism
- [#366 Taxes - Looking Forward](https://fiplanpartners.com/taxes-looking-forward/) -  A Different Tax Year Happy tax week! It's not a happy week for most but it's a necessary week. We want to do everything we can to help our clients and anyone that may need the advice. In honor of it being tax week, we wanted to talk about some of the changes this
- [#367 Gas Prices and Student Debt](https://fiplanpartners.com/gas-prices-and-student-debt/) -  Gas Prices Over the weekend, news came out that a lot of the waivers for the Iranian oil sanctions are going to come off. Oil prices have spiked up overnight around 2.6%. While this won’t hit the pumps right away, we like to look forward. As oil prices go up, gas prices tend to
- [#368 GDP Surprises; Will It Last?](https://fiplanpartners.com/gdp-surprises-will-it-last/) -  Better Than Expected The past couple of weeks we have reported that the economic numbers have been better than expected. We received confirmation of this last week when the GDP report came out. The GDP was 3.2% for the first quarter of 2019. This was the best first quarter GDP in 4 years, since
- [#369 Should You Pay Off Debt Early?](https://fiplanpartners.com/should-you-pay-off-debt-early/) -  Paying Off Debt One question that we receive all the time from clients is: “Should I pay off my debt early”? There are both pros and cons when dealing with this inquiry. It really all depends on your own unique situation in life. Pros One pro of paying off debt early is that you
- [#370 The Art of the Squeal](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-art-of-the-squeal/) -  China Going into last week there were a lot of reports that the U.S. was coming back on its demands for protecting property rights and protecting cyber security. It looked like we were getting closer to utilizing our strong points. However, over the weekend, the administration came out and said they wanted to increase
- [#371 Consumer Debt: A Closer Look](https://fiplanpartners.com/consumer-debt-a-closer-look/) -  Context We want to take a closer look at consumer debt and how it’s important to keep this topic within context. If you look at some of the specifics it can appear that the consumer is overextended. This is something that could be concerning from an economic standpoint. If the consumer is overleveraged like
- [#372 Trade Storms](https://fiplanpartners.com/trade-storms/) -  What Could Happen The U.S. imported $539 billion worth in goods from China in 2018. However, we exported $120 billion worth. The U.S. has a lot more to put tariffs on than China does. The Chinese economy is hurting right now while ours is holding strong. We’ve been looking at different research and have
- [#373 Understanding Federal Debt](https://fiplanpartners.com/understanding-federal-debt/) -  Federal Debt We wanted to talk about federal debt in context of the cost of the government carrying this debt. If you talk to some people you might hear that this debt is out of control. People can agree or disagree if this an accurate assumption. Federal debt is at a record high. However,
- [#374 U.S. Trade Deal](https://fiplanpartners.com/u-s-trade-deal/) -  USMCA We finally got some good news out of the trade war talks last week as the United States, Mexico and Canada came to an agreement on removing steel and aluminum tariffs. It was good to see something positive after last week’s talk about the Chinese trade war. It was named The United States-Mexico-Canada
- [#375 Asset Location](https://fiplanpartners.com/asset-location/) -  Location & Allocation When building portfolios you usually hear a lot about asset allocation which is typically the mix of stocks and bonds within a portfolio. One other important criteria for developing and building an efficient portfolio is asset location. Asset location is referring to the type of account in which you strategically choose
- [#376 Happy Memorial Day!](https://fiplanpartners.com/happy-memorial-day/) -  Thank You We want to thank those who have previously served in the military, those who are currently serving, and all their families who have made sacrifices for our country. We also want to give a special shout-out to our very own, Felicia Ludlum, and a huge thank you to all who have made
- [#378 Where's The Blind Side?](https://fiplanpartners.com/wheres-the-blind-side/) - Consumer Impacts Why do we talk about the consumer every week? Consumer spending makes up two-thirds of all U.S. economic activity, which is a lot. Personal income increased 0.1% in March and increased 0.5% in April. That’s an additional $27 billion in consumer savings from March to April. How is consumer spending related to consumer
- [#380 Shark Attacks](https://fiplanpartners.com/shark-attacks/) -  “Shark Attack” Markets We have picked this topic because, recently, I was at a gathering and somebody mentioned they were going to the beach. In the process someone said, “I just heard that a girl was swimming and got attacked by a shark and lost her leg” and everybody became very concerned and starting
- [#382 Under Water](https://fiplanpartners.com/under-water/) - What Will The Fed Do? The Fed will be meeting this week and what we think will be very important is the verbiage that they use. Will the Fed decide to change the rates or not? Not only will they be making a statement about their interest rate policies, but they will also be making
- [#384 Trucking Along](https://fiplanpartners.com/trucking-along/) -  Shipping Trouble A couple of weeks ago we talked about all the reasons we’re bullish on the economy and the markets. This week we want to talk about our concerns, and one is shipping. The reason we look at shipping is because it’s known as the arterial system of our economy and could be
- [#386 Fireworks, Gas Prices & Vacation](https://fiplanpartners.com/fireworks-gas-prices-vacation/) -  Trade War Truce Great news! Over the weekend a trade-war truce was made between China and the United States. This truce puts a hold on an additional $300 billion worth of new tariffs. However, there's still some uncertainty due to there still being tariffs that remain in place which could continue to cause a
- [#388 Inflation...What About Deflation?](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-what-about-deflation/) - To Cut Or Not To Cut Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, will testify this week to Congress and the Senate. Afterwards, we should have a better understanding of what will happen with rates. However, until a decision is made later this month, it will be all about the Fed. There are two sides to this.
- [#390 Shock Wave](https://fiplanpartners.com/shock-wave/) -  Trade War Impact We received good and bad news over the weekend. The good news is that our economy has been growing for 121 months since the last recession. The concerning news is that China just reported that they’ve had the slowest growth in 27 years. This shows that we're starting to see an
- [#392 Data Hogs & Market Movers](https://fiplanpartners.com/data-hogs-market-movers/) - Earnings Season The biggest week of earnings season is here! The potential market mover could be the GDP report that will be released. Economists are saying the GDP report will come out at around 2.1% which is below the 2019 first-quarter numbers. It was 3.1% for that first quarter. There could be a few bright
- [#393 The SECURE Act](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-secure-act/) - The SECURE Act In recent news you may have heard about The SECURE Act. This stands for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act. It’s a large act that could drastically impact retirement plan legislation. In the past, people have had access to pension plans. As most of you know, that access is going
- [#394 Moment of Truth](https://fiplanpartners.com/moment-of-truth/) - Cutting Rates The week is finally here where the Fed is expected to cut rates even though we have a strong economy. The question becomes will they cut .5% or .25%? If you look at Jerome Powell’s commentary from the last few weeks, he has highlighted the weaknesses and downplayed the strong data. Consumer On
- [#395 Business Cycles Today](https://fiplanpartners.com/business-cycles-today/) - Business Cycle – Now & Then Are business cycles longer now then they use to be and what impact does that have on my portfolio? Business cycles today are not the same as you may have seen in the 70’s and 80’s. The typical standard of business cycles during the 70’s and 80’s was around
- [#396 Give & Take](https://fiplanpartners.com/give-take/) -  Double Whammy Volatility is back in the markets. We kind of had a double whammy last week as the S&P 500 traded back more than 3%. The double whammy started with the Fed cutting rates, which was expected as we talked about it on the vlog last week. The Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, did
- [#397 China - Tariffs vs Trends](https://fiplanpartners.com/china-tariffs-vs-trends/) -  Tariffs vs Trends In the short-term we are going through a tariff and trade war issue right now that’s been a topic for almost a year. We have seen the Fed lower the interest rates slightly to deal with manufacturing weakness. The point we want to make is, as important as tariffs are in
- [#398 Year of the Pig](https://fiplanpartners.com/year-of-the-pig/) -  The Number 9 If you are familiar with Chinese horoscopes, this is the “Year of the Pig”. It is also a year ending in the number 9 and historically the Chinese tends to not like these years. One example is what happened in 1989 with Tiananmen Square. Hong Kong is currently experiencing a lot
- [#399 Congressman Bradley Byrne](https://fiplanpartners.com/congressman-bradley-byrne/) - Congressman Bradley Byrne Bradley Byrne – a lifelong resident of Southwest Alabama – is currently serving his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bradley has committed much of his life to improving the quality of life for Alabamians dating back to his time on the State Board of Education, in the Alabama State
- [#400 Interest Rates & Focus](https://fiplanpartners.com/interest-rates-focus/) - Jackson Hole, Wyoming The Federal Reserve has its annual policy symposium coming up, which is a raucous good time out in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This Symposium is taking on more of an important role because there are theories out there that the Fed may announce a rate cut, unofficially, at this meeting or at least
- [#401 Online Financial Tools](https://fiplanpartners.com/online-financial-tools/) - Online Financial Tools Fi Plan Partners reviews over some of the many online financial tools we have to offer. This includes a quick walk-through of our website. It also includes the steps needed to download our app icon and how to navigate through the tabs in an easy and seamless manner. Adam Vansant, AIF®
- [#402 From Sea to Shining Sea](https://fiplanpartners.com/from-sea-to-shining-sea/) -  Imports & Exports For the fourth week in a row, the trade talk and banter back and forth has caused volatility in the markets. On Friday, China said it was going to impose an additional $75 billion on U.S. imports. That includes a 25% levy on U.S. autos. In the vlog today, we have
- [#403 Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill](https://fiplanpartners.com/alabama-secretary-of-state-john-merrill/) -  Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has dedicated his life to public service, from his youth as an Eagle Scout and SGA President at The University of Alabama to his professional career in the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and Tuscaloosa County public schools. A native of Heflin,
- [#404 How Women Are Driving Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-women-are-driving-markets/) -  Driving Markets Women are driving financial markets in two major ways. Demographics like this dictate what products are bought and how they are distributed. These underlying themes are very important when reviewing what types of companies emerge at a later date. These two ways include leadership and purchasing patterns. Leadership If you go back
- [#405 How Bad Is It?](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-bad-is-it/) -  Media Impact There's a lot of discussion in the media about the recent job growth in August. We are hearing a lot of negativity around that report, but we don't think it's all so bad. There’s still growth and we still have consumer confidence. The reason we point this out is because unemployment is
- [#406 Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA](https://fiplanpartners.com/roth-ira-vs-traditional-ira/) - Traditional IRA We often have clients ask questions about whether they should put additional funds into a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA and the answer to that question depends on each person’s situation. The general rule of thumb is that if you are in a higher tax bracket now than you think you will
- [#407 Oil Rising - Fed On The Hot Seat](https://fiplanpartners.com/oil-rising-fed-on-the-hot-seat/) - Drone Strikes There was big news released over the weekend. An unexpected drone strike was carried out on a Saudi oil facility. That drove oil futures to go up 15%. That's the biggest intraday jump in almost 20 years. While the U.S. is energy independent, the rest of the globe is not. This is a
- [#408 Really?](https://fiplanpartners.com/really/) - The Farm Friday, the market traded down because news came out that the negotiations on the U.S. and China tariffs talks were cut short and the market reacted to that. The Chinese decided not to visit a farm in Montana and instead decided to head back home. How many times have you been on a
- [#409 Increased Savings](https://fiplanpartners.com/increased-savings/) - Savings Rate The savings rate is going up during an economic expansion. Why does that matter? Usually, Americans will save more when they're coming out of the backside of a recession. This happens because they're trying to restore their balance sheet and get their debt down because there’s still a little bit nervousness coming out
- [#410 News or the Markets?](https://fiplanpartners.com/news-or-the-markets/) - The Month of Volatility The month of October has historically been volatile. This month could follow that trend due to the recent impeachment talk last week. There’s a historical significance surrounding impeachments with Nixon and Clinton. When President Nixon was impeached, the market was already crashing and was heading into a recession. However, with President
- [#411 Long-Term Bonds](https://fiplanpartners.com/long-term-bonds/) - Long-Term Treasury Bond We want to discuss treasuries and the long-term Treasury bond. It's a topic that doesn't come up too often because things don't typically change in long-term treasuries. However, the reason this has become a topic, and something we think is worth exploring, is that there's been a lot of talk with rates
- [#412 Dancing in the Market Rain](https://fiplanpartners.com/dancing-in-the-market-rain/) - Purchasing Power Reports show that there’s strength in the labor market right now. In September there were 136,000 jobs added into the workforce. The healthcare industry held the most additions. It's also worth noting that in the previous two months the jobs number was revised and ended up being higher by 45,000 jobs. The jobs
- [#413 Business Planning (Limited Series)](https://fiplanpartners.com/business-planning-limited-series/) - Business Planning When the time comes, it’s important that you’re prepared for a smooth ownership transition of your business. This video explains how we can work together to prepare a plan for you. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm
- [#414 Missing the Point](https://fiplanpartners.com/missing-the-point/) -  News with No Action The market seems to be missing the point on some of the big news items of last week. We saw the market shoot up on Friday because of positive news with the China trade front. There was an announcement that there was a preliminary agreement for the future, which seemed
- [#415 Changes to Social Security and Medicare](https://fiplanpartners.com/changes-to-social-security-and-medicare/) -  Social Security We wanted to give an update on some news dealing with Social Security. Last Thursday the Social Security Administration announced that for 2020 there will be a 1.6% cost of living increase to Social Security benefits. This is good news because it’s obviously a positive adjustment. It's not as high of an
- [#416 Earnings Extravaganza](https://fiplanpartners.com/earnings-extravaganza/) -  Seesaw Market There’s an earnings extravaganza going on this week. As of Friday, 18% of S&P 500 companies had reported their earnings. Of those companies, 78% of them are beating bottom-line expectations. Entering this week, everything is looking good. It’s hard to see if we can keep up that good pace but it
- [#418 Bullish October?](https://fiplanpartners.com/bullish-october/) -  Will it Continue? Part of the bullishness that has happened in October has been because of the Fed. We expect this week, that the Fed will make a third consecutive rate cut. We expect the cut to be more of an insurance cut because of what the Fed is seeing right now which is
- [#420 High Anxiety](https://fiplanpartners.com/high-anxiety/) - Anxious Media There's so much news out there that causes a lot of tension and anxiety throughout this country and in the markets. That alone has caused some of the high emotions and volatility recently and we thought we would address that in today’s vlog. There’s been talk about the China and U.S. trade wars
- [#422 Thank you, Veterans!](https://fiplanpartners.com/thank-you-veterans/) - Happy Veterans Day! We wanted to start by saying thank you to all the veterans who have served and their families for all the sacrifices they've made for the sake of our freedom and our country. We would like to make a special shout out to our very own, Felicia Ludlum, for her service. We
- [#424 Don't Stop the Music](https://fiplanpartners.com/dont-stop-the-music/) - The Fed We got some great news regarding the Fed last week. They expect inflation to remain stagnant over the next couple of months. This is good news because this would be a luxury for the Fed in that they can run the economy in a more controlled manner without inflation running away. We have
- [#499 When The Fed Talks...](https://fiplanpartners.com/499-when-the-fed-talks/) -  The Market Listens Let us start by focusing on something that came from the Federal Reserve last week that could impact the market for a few months going forward. Last week, Fed Chairman Powell Made a very important statement by reconfirming that the Fed would not tighten policy until low-income workers were covered. He
- [#500 Higher? Rates, Earnings, and Markets](https://fiplanpartners.com/500-higher-rates-earnings-and-markets/) -  Rates Today, we want to talk about a topic that has been the reason for the recent market volatility, which is higher interest rates. With the 10-year yield pushing 1.4%, we wanted to do some research into how rising rates have historically impacted the markets. In this video, we share a chart that shows
- [Effortless Technology For You](https://fiplanpartners.com/effortless-technology-for-you/) -  At Fi Plan Partners, we implement high-tech, high-touch strategies to make sure our clients have an effortless experience. In this video, Greg, Adam, and Felicia go over a few areas where smart and innovative technology is used and designed to eliminate stress and anxiety for our clients. Here are a few: Virtual Meetings
- [Markets and COVID: Anniversary](https://fiplanpartners.com/501-markets-and-covid-anniversary/) -  A Year in Review Can you believe that we are coming upon the anniversary of when we were informed as Americans that COVID was in our country? In February of 2020, our technical indicators started showing us that market movement was acting different and volatility was picking up and we were trying to find
- [Interest Rates and Bonds](https://fiplanpartners.com/interest-rates-and-bonds/) -  Watch this educational vlog to hear Bobby Norman, Managing Director of Fi Plan Partners, go over the impact that interest rates have on bonds. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the
- [The Stimulus March Continues](https://fiplanpartners.com/502-the-stimulus-march-continues/) -  Interest Rates and the Economy We mentioned last week how important it is for economic reports to come in strong over the next few weeks as higher rates have caused volatility in the market. There are two reports we are currently focused on. One is related to jobs and the other is on manufacturing.
- [Insurance: Protecting Against Loss](https://fiplanpartners.com/insurance-protecting-against-loss/) -  One of the core principles of financial planning is protecting against loss. Before you ever start investing in the market to try to grow your assets, it is important to make sure that you have something in place to protect what you already have. These are the things that you cannot afford to
- [Fed, Market, Green Light](https://fiplanpartners.com/fed-market-green-light/) -  The Federal Reserve The market-moving event this week could be on Wednesday where the Federal Reserve will be in the spotlight. While this week's policy decision will more than likely yield no immediate policy changes, it will take on additional weight as it provides commentary on the central banks and what they are thinking
- [The Price of Gasoline](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-price-of-gasoline/) -  Watch or listen to this week’s educational vlog, where Trey Booth talks about the fluctuation of gas prices and how it impacts the U.S. economy and stock market. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham,
- [Happy Anniversary Mr. Market](https://fiplanpartners.com/happy-anniversary-mr-market/) -  Technical Analysis Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the market lows during the COVID pandemic. We have come a long way from where we were this time last year and we are finally starting to see some of the technical trends line back up with some of the historical data. This past Friday the
- [Major Business Changes That Are Here to Stay](https://fiplanpartners.com/major-business-changes-that-are-here-to-stay/) -  In this week's educational vlog, Ashley Page goes over the top five major business changes that have become a new normal since the pandemic started a year ago. Listen as Ashley lists the reasons why the new business models adopted during the pandemic are here to stay. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior
- [Infrastructure and Eviction](https://fiplanpartners.com/infrastructure-and-eviction/) -  Investment Opportunity Wednesday of this week, President Biden will talk about his plans for infrastructure. The plan will include two parts and the first one has to do with roads and bridges. There are two reasons why we are focusing on this topic. The first reason is that the overall infrastructure plan is estimated
- [High Five, Market!](https://fiplanpartners.com/high-five-market/) -  Technical Analysis Last week was historic as we witnessed the S&P 500 close above 4,000 for the first time ever. In last week’s Investors’ Insights and Market Update, we announced that the short-term resistance level was 4,020. The market almost hit that dead on the number closing at 4,019 last Thursday. This week, we
- [Consumer in Charge](https://fiplanpartners.com/consumer-in-charge/) -  Portfolio Impact We have a lot of information to look at, but really, we are focusing on the consumer who is taking charge of the markets this week with a lot of inspiration. There is a lot of important data points that we think will impact your portfolios and the economy at large. The
- [Inflation and Your Pocketbook](https://fiplanpartners.com/inflation-and-your-pocketbook/) -  Consumer Update Last week, we talked about how we were looking forward to a lot of information on the consumer coming out. This week, we wanted to address the findings of what we were anticipating coming out. The month-over-month retail sales number was a big number we were looking for. Expectations were for it
- [How To Go Paperless](https://fiplanpartners.com/how-to-go-paperless/) -  Bobby Norman goes over one of our most asked client questions. How can I go paperless? Watch this video to learn how to select the paperless option on your Account View profile for statements and other documents. Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF® Managing Director Wealth Consultant Email Bobby Norman here Fi Plan Partners
- [4, 4, 4 - Market Movement](https://fiplanpartners.com/4-4-4-market-movement/) -  What’s Behind The 4? There is a reason why we chose the number four in our title today. First of all, the S&P 500 has broken through 4000 and we are looking at record highs. This is not a recommendation to buy, but another thing is that this week four big tech companies,
- [Sell in May? Not so Fast...](https://fiplanpartners.com/sell-in-may-not-so-fast/) -  Sell in May & Go Away There is an old theory on Wall Street termed “Sell in May and Go Away”. This alludes to the fact that equities tend to underperform from May to October, so traders should sell and wait until the fall until the markets are better. Historically, this isn’t the best
- [Supply and Demand](https://fiplanpartners.com/supply-and-demand/) - Watch or listen to this week’s educational vlog where Trey Booth goes over recent price increases due to the ups and downs of supply and demand. Trey Booth, CFA®, AIF® Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Trey Booth here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients
- [Market Recovery Handoff](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-recovery-handoff/) -  Recovery and Expansion On Friday, we got the most disappointing jobs number in the history of tracking the US jobs market. Around 266,000 jobs were created month-over-month, which is a really good number. However, it is very disappointing compared to the over 1 million jobs that were expected by economists. That was very fascinating
- [Markets and Your Money: U.S. Worker Productivity](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-and-your-money-u-s-worker-productivity/) -  Worker productivity is at a 10-year high but how does that affect the markets and your portfolio? Watch or listen to this educational update where Ashley Page answers this question. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in
- [Where's The Ceiling?](https://fiplanpartners.com/wheres-the-ceiling/) -  Technical Analysis We think it is important to carve out some time during the vlogs, weekly, to give you some important data from a technical analysis standpoint. Early last week, we saw the markets pull back but then came a slight surge towards the end of the week that ultimately led us to Friday’s
- [Distractions](https://fiplanpartners.com/distractions/) -  Consumer Concerns There are many distractions and concerns out in the world today, so we wanted to go over the main topics that we're hearing about. First of all, people are concerned about inflation. They're still very concerned about COVID, even though the vaccinations are available. People have voiced concerns about the volatility in
- [Where The Money Flows](https://fiplanpartners.com/where-the-money-flows/) -  “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was
- [Markets, Taxes, and Jobs](https://fiplanpartners.com/markets-taxes-and-jobs/) -  Technical Analysis The S&P 500 closed this past Friday at a price of 4,229 which pushes the resistance level to a price of 4,260 and the support level to 4,200. Another thing to point out this week is the 100-day moving average which has finally pushed over the 4000 mark. This is one item
- [Estate Planning Mistakes - Part 1](https://fiplanpartners.com/estate-planning-mistakes-part-1/) -  What are the top mistakes made when it comes to Estate Planning? Watch the first part of this two-part series to learn who and what to consider when planning for your future. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here Jason Hatley, CPA Vice President Financial Planning Manager Email
- [Estate Planning Mistakes - Part 2](https://fiplanpartners.com/estate-planning-mistakes-part-2/) -  What are the top mistakes people make when it comes to Estate Planning? Watch the second part of this two-part series to learn who and what to consider when planning for your future. Check out last week’s episode for part one. Greg Powell, CIMA® President and CEO Wealth Consultant Email Greg Powell here
- [Market Overreaction](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-overreaction/) -  The 10-Year Yield Last week, we mentioned that the Fed speaking on Wednesday would be a big market-moving event, and that ended up becoming a reality. The market sold off after the Fed's meeting on Wednesday. While no action was taken, it was the verbiage that the Fed used around having to possibly raise
- [Supply Shock](https://fiplanpartners.com/supply-shock/) -  What supply shocks are we currently experiencing, economically, and is it a good or bad thing? Ashley Page explains this in this educational episode. Ashley Page, JD, MBA Senior Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Ashley Page here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across
- [Market Movers](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-movers-2/) -  Goods vs. Services For the last 50 or so years, the U.S. economy has been driven by a transition from goods production to services the reason that is positive things is that that model is very deflationary. It's deflationary because the amount that individuals are able to spend on services, is limitless. The amount
- [The Importance of Moving Day Averages](https://fiplanpartners.com/the-importance-of-moving-day-averages/) -  Tune in to this week’s educational market update as Adam Vansant explains the importance of moving day averages when it comes to your portfolio. Adam Vansant, AIF® Associate Vice President Wealth Consultant Email Adam Vansant here Fi Plan Partners is an independent investment firm in Birmingham, AL, serving clients across the nation
- [Market Fireworks](https://fiplanpartners.com/market-fireworks/) -  Record Highs The S&P 500 Index hit a new record high last week. However, we've noticed that under the surface fewer stocks have been participating. Just 15% of the stocks in the index hit a new one-month high along with the benchmark on June 24. For the first time since December of 1999, a

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## Services

- [Client Relations](https://fiplanpartners.com/service/client-relations/) - Our approach allows our senior members to build relationships with clients based on honest communication as we share information, concerns, and opportunities.
- [Portfolio Strategies](https://fiplanpartners.com/service/portfolio-strategies/) - Unlike others, we don’t outsource our portfolio strategies. Our approach removes external biases, ensuring portfolio decisions reflect your financial blueprint.
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- [Business Consulting](https://fiplanpartners.com/service/business-consulting/) - To manage client wealth, we plan for & incorporate non-market assets as part of the picture, a core competency that has always distinguished us from others.

## Team Members

- [Ty Miller](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/ty-miller/) - Professional Ty Miller, AIF®, WMCP®, works on the Portfolio Strategy Team alongside President and CEO Greg Powell, CIMA, Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™, and Trey Booth CFA®, AIF®. His goal is to understand our clients wants and needs. As a very detailed person, Ty focuses on our client’s portfolios in relation to their Financial Blueprints and overall goals. He has a passion for researching the various opportunities in the financial markets and showing how clients can take advantage of market fluctuations and long-term market strategies. Education Ty achieved a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a focus on Finance and Economics from the University of North Alabama. Ty has passed his General Securities Representative Exam (Series 7), Uniform Combined State Law Exam (Series 66), and the State of Alabama Life and Health Insurance Exam. Personal Ty, who has family ties to the city of Pittsburgh, grew up in Birmingham before setting his sights on the University of North Alabama for school. After graduating, Ty moved back to the Birmingham area where he is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church. In his spare time, Ty enjoys golfing, traveling, and attending events such as concerts and sporting events.
- [Felicia Ludlum](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/felicia-ludlum/) - Professional As Chief Operating Officer, Felicia oversees the systems and processes of our firm, ensuring an effortless, limitless, and frictionless experience that aligns with the company’s core values and commitment to outstanding customer service. With extensive experience in operations management and business development within the financial services sector, as well as her understanding of insurance and marketing strategies, Felicia is adept at optimizing processes and enhancing client satisfaction. She is passionate about empowering our team and clients to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals, fostering long-term relationships built on trust and success. Education Felicia’s dedication to service began in the U.S. Army, where she served for eight years and graduated from the Quartermaster School in Ft. Lee, Virginia, earning the title of Unit Supply Specialist. Her education equipped her to establish and operate computer systems that support logistics processes, along with developing proficiency in inventory management and computer applications. She also holds her Life and Health Insurance license and is a Notary Public in Alabama. In addition to her operational expertise, Felicia is skilled in performance management, strategic planning, customer relationship management, and much more. Personal Felicia and her husband, Robert, reside in Chelsea with their young son, Carter. In addition to spending time with family, Felicia enjoys sports, particularly her love of baseball and cheering for the Atlanta Braves. She also enjoys traveling and is always up for a thrilling new adventure. As a proud Alabama native, her favorite film is fittingly Sweet Home Alabama.
- [Lexie Watts](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/lexie-watts/) - Professional: As Marketing Manager at Fi Plan Partners, Lexie is passionate about crafting clear, impactful communication that strengthens brand identity and drives the firm toward its strategic goals. She thrives on developing innovative, client-centered strategies that enhance the overall experience and meet audiences where they are. With a dynamic background spanning collegiate, nonprofit, event, and financial marketing, Lexie brings a versatile, people-first approach to every role, demonstrating her commitment to connecting with diverse audiences through purposeful, results-driven marketing. Education: Lexie is a graduate of Samford University, where she earned a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations, along with a minor in Communication Studies. Committed to continuous learning, she has also earned certifications in Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, and Social and Behavioral Research, further equipping her to build thoughtful, strategic communication plans across digital platforms. Personal: Born and raised in the great state of Alabama, Lexie now calls Helena home with her husband, Justin. In her spare time, she enjoys trying out new recipes, watching sports with friends, playing pickleball, and diving into a good book. On the weekends, you’ll often find her exploring Birmingham’s vibrant food scene, spending quality time with family and friends, or adventuring with Justin and their dog, Obi.
- [Sonja McGittigan](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/sonja-mcgittigan/) - Professional: As Operations Specialist at Fi Plan Partners, Sonja McGittigan works with our clients to ensure they receive a seamless and positive outcome to their requests. She finds her passion working behind the scenes handling complex issues and transforming those issues into simple solutions. Sonja uses her commitment to detail to help her team create an environment that flows smoothly and functions effortlessly in helping our clients achieve their goals. Education: Sonja graduated from Union University with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Organizational Management. Personal: As a native of south Louisiana by way of Memphis, Sonja and her husband Dave enjoy being near their two daughters and their husbands here in Birmingham. For fun, she loves to cook, enjoy the beach, and play with their pups – Hank and Ben. As a self-proclaimed foodie, her weekends involve scouting out tasty restaurants and the best burgers. Be assured that she’ll always be cheering for the LSU Tigers and the Memphis Grizzlies!
- [Bobby Norman](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/bobby-norman/) - Professional Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF®, CEPA® is a part of the Fi Plan Partners’ Portfolio Strategies Team. Bobby came to Fi Plan Partners after working in Atlanta, GA for a large wealth management firm. Throughout his career, Bobby has taken great satisfaction in helping his clients meet their financial goals. With his extensive background in banking, wealth management, and financial planning, he brings a unique touch to the Fi Plan team and clients. Education Bobby received his undergraduate degree in Finance from Auburn University. He has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, representing the value of professional, competent, and ethical financial planning services. Bobby is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor that works with business owners on building more valuable companies and on aligning their business, personal, and financial goals. The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation is globally recognized and attests to the charterholder’s success in a rigorous and comprehensive study program in the field of investment management and research analysis. The AIF® represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply fiduciary practices. While at Auburn University, Bobby served as President of a student organization and was very active in several other university programs. Personal Outside of the office, Bobby is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys fishing, hunting, playing tennis, and trying his best to break 100 on the golf course. Bobby also enjoys music, cooking, and watching SEC Football. He resides in Homewood with his wife, Casey, daughter, Henley, and son, Bo. Bobby and his family attend Trinity United Methodist Church.
- [Makenzie Fleming](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/makenzie-fleming/) - Professional As Financial Planning Coordinator, Makenzie serves our clients well with her exceptional customer service skills, organization, and attention to detail. Makenzie is experienced in banking and wealth management and has a passion for working with clients as they pursue their dreams and goals. She is a Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalSM (FPQP®), bringing specialized knowledge to support the financial planning process and enhance the client experience. She aims to help ensure clients have an effortless experience at Fi Plan Partners. Education Makenzie graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Her favorite class was Financial Markets and Institutions. Also, while at Auburn University, Makenzie was involved in many campus organizations, such as Kappa Delta Sorority. Personal As a native of Hoover, Alabama, Makenzie moved back to Birmingham after college. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and shopping. Makenzie is married to her college sweetheart, Scott. The two met through their love of the Auburn Tigers. War Eagle! Together they enjoy going to cookoffs, sporting events, and snowboarding.
- [Robert L. Moody III](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/robert-moody/) - Professional Robert is a member of our Fi Plan Partners Financial Planning Team. He has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Robert brings to Fi Plan Partners extensive experience with a diverse client base. Robert takes pride in assisting clients with achieving their financial goals through customized financial planning, using our specialized process, Your Financial House. Education Robert received his undergraduate degree in Finance from Auburn University, and an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from the University of Georgia. Robert has earned the Certified Financial Planner™ certification, representing the value of professional, competent, and ethical financial planning services. He is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, working with business owners to align both their business and personal financial goals. Robert has passed his General Securities Representative Exam (Series 7), Uniform Combined State Law Exam (Series 66), and the State of Alabama Life and Health Insurance Exam. Personal Robert and his wife Maury live in Mountain Brook, AL with their three children, Michael, Eliza, and Liam. In his spare time, Robert enjoys coaching little league baseball and basketball, in addition to playing tennis and golf. Robert enjoys teaching Sunday school and is an usher at The Cathedral Church of the Advent. He is also an advisory board member for the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club and loves cheering on the Auburn Tigers.
- [Mark Hume](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/mark-hume/) - Professional It has often been said that Mark’s work begins with a mindful attention to each client’s unique attributes. From there, it proceeds to an in-depth analysis of their circumstances and perspectives, always striving to deliver sound financial advice for the client to achieve their financial goals. One thing true for everyone is constant change in their lives and financial goals. Thoughtfully navigating the ebbs and flows of a client’s life is a perpetually satisfying challenge for Mark. Education Mark received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. He also possesses an expertise in insurance planning, risk management, and executive benefits. The opportunity to learn extends much longer than college and professional designation studies and Mark loves keeping his finger on the pulse of all things economics, capital markets, portfolio management, and tax and estate planning. Volunteer Work Mark serves on the Children’s of Alabama Committee for the Future. The hospital and its team mean so much to his family. Helping provide resources that benefit kids unfortunate enough to need the hospital early in life is very satisfying for him. He also serves as a board member of Irondale’s Commercial Development Authority. It is a very enjoyable honor to contribute to the economic growth of the town where he resides. Personal Mark has lived in the Birmingham area since 2006. He and his wife Edan have a son named Shepherd. If not working and at school, they prefer spending time with family and friends, hiking to a beautiful waterfall in the cool Blue Ridge Mountains or relaxing at picturesque Lake Burton.
- [Adam Vansant](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/adam-vansant/) - Professional Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™, works on the Portfolio Strategy Team alongside President and CEO Greg Powell, CIMA®, Bobby Norman, CFP®, AIF® and Trey Booth CFA®, AIF®. His goal is to understand our clients wants and needs. He works diligently to help clients pursue their financial goals by developing and implementing portfolio strategies. Education Adam graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Adam has passed his General Securities Representative Exam (Series 7), Investment Adviser Law Exam (Series 65) and Uniform Securities Agent Law Exam (Series 63) His registrations are currently held through LPL Financial. Personal A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Adam enjoys cooking as well as watching sports, TV shows, and listening to podcasts in his off time. He also enjoys spending time outside with his dog Louie and going to Lake Martin with family. Adam and his wife, Clare, live in Vestavia Hills.
- [Jason Hatley](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/jason-hatley/) - Professional Jason Hatley, CFP®, CPA, PFS, joined Fi Plan Partners as a member of the Financial Planning Team. Jason came to Fi Plan Partners after a long tenure at one of the nation’s leading providers of surgical facilities. Jason brings a total of 17 years of experience in public accounting and corporate financial management. Jason is a professional CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Certified Public Accountant, and Personal Financial Specialist. He has a wealth of knowledge in planning, forecasting, and cash management and a commitment to excellence in serving our clients. Education Jason earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Troy University and his Master of Accountancy from The University of Alabama. Upon graduation, he joined a large regional public accounting firm where he quickly earned his CPA designation. Personal Jason, his wife, Kelli, and their twin daughters, Avery and Lyla, reside in Trussville with their miniature Schnauzer, Lucy. In his free time, Jason enjoys golf, college football, playing tennis with his daughters, grilling out with friends, and spoiling Lucy.
- [Greg Powell](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/greg-powell/) - Professional As president and CEO of Fi Plan Partners, Greg Powell advises organizations, families, and individuals who wish to enhance and preserve their wealth. If you are around Greg for just a few minutes, you will quickly learn that he loves to ask questions and create dialogue. These two things are a driving force in Your Financial House®, a nationally acclaimed management tool he created which gives clients an insightful and enjoyable experience of bringing all aspects of their financial life under one roof. Referred to as “the Builder,” Greg oversees the building of Your Financial House® just like the builder who built your home. In 2002, Greg was one of five investment professionals that Research magazine inducted into its Advisors Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for those who are, according to the editors, “judged by their clients, their colleagues, and by industry notables as representing the very best the industry has to offer.” He is a member of the National Board of Directors for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and is a member and former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the NFIB of Alabama. In addition, NFIB named Powell 2009 Small Business Champion of the Southern Region. Greg is a member and former President of the Board of Directors for Aldridge Gardens, a board member for the Business Council of Alabama and PANGEATWO. He is the former President and current member of the Advisory Board for Special Equestrians. In his long standing involvement with Samford University, Powell is on the Board of Overseers, a member and former Chairman of Samford University’s Brock School of Business Advisory Board, and the school chose Greg as their 2009 Alumnus of the Year. He is also the former President of the Samford University Alumni Association and an active member of the Athletic Foundation. Greg currently serves on the Samford Athletic Executive Committee. In 2010, Samford University honored Greg as the Volunteer in Philanthropy with the Alabama Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Personal When Greg is not in the depths of the financial industry or leading a nonprofit organization to new heights, he spends most of his time with his wife, Peggy, and three daughters supporting them in their various activities. A seeker of knowledge and a researcher of learning, Greg somehow manages to consistently carve out time in his busy schedule to read books of all kinds, from early American history to various business books. He also has a deep passion for all kinds of sports throughout all the athletic seasons.
- [Renee Frank](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/renee-frank/) - Professional Renee Frank is someone who is very organized and focused on making sure all our internal systems are efficient and coordinated. This enables our entire team to execute information, strategies, and communication in a consistent and timely manner throughout the office as well as with our clients. In these fast paced markets, we need a team member who can step back and see the systems we need to implement in order for our work to flow between the financial blueprints, the portfolios, and operations. Education Renee definitely knows how to handle an organization in a fast environment. She is a graduate of Auburn University in Montgomery with a degree in Business Administration. She has 13 years in retail management and nine years in early childhood development. Personal Renee and her husband, Joe, reside in Hoover and have three children, Kayla, Brandon, and Alex. They have one son-in-law, TJ, and are also proud grandparents to one granddaughter, Ella. Renee enjoys going to the beach, reading, and spending time with family at Lake Martin.
- [Ashley Page](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/ashley-page/) - Professional Ashley Page has an extensive background in banking, commercial real estate, and financial analysis. If he is not bringing insight to our clients on how to fully utilize their net worth, Ashley is constantly working on how we can improve the quality of our services and strategies for our clients. Ashley works with President/CEO, Greg Powell, in developing professional relationships that will benefit our clients as well as upholding our commitment of constant client communication. “I’m a people person and enjoy finding common interests with everyone I meet. My greatest joy is when I am able to connect a person to other people I know and it enhances their quality of life.” Education Ashley Page has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Vanderbilt University, an MBA in Finance from Emory University, and a Juris Doctor from The University of Alabama School of Law. Personal Ashley Page is a native of Baldwin County and a long time Homewood resident. He and his wife of many years, Whitney, have one daughter, Caroline. An Eagle Scout and avid sports fan, he particularly enjoys any activity that takes him outdoors. The Pages are heavily involved in their church, St. Stephens Episcopal, where Ashley has served as a past member of the Vestry, Diocesan Delegate, and as an Adult Sunday School teacher. Outside of his home and church, Ashley has served for a number of years on the Norton Board of Advisors for Birmingham-Southern College as well as an executive evaluator for the college’s senior level business students. Finally, he has served for many years in various leadership roles and volunteer capacities for the state high school basketball tournament. Ashley thoroughly enjoys bringing his widely diverse background to bear for the benefit of Fi Plan clients, their businesses, and their families.
- [Trey Booth](https://fiplanpartners.com/our-team/trey-booth/) - Professional Trey Booth is a member of the Portfolio Strategy Team working with President and CEO Greg Powell, CIMA®, Bobby Norman, CFP®,AIF®, and Adam Vansant, AIF®, BFA™ on developing strategies and portfolio positions designed to grow your wealth. With over ten years in the industry, Trey has always been passionate about investing and researching the ever changing landscape of the capital markets. Education Trey Booth received his undergraduate degree in finance from The University of Alabama and is also a holder of the right to use the CFA® designation (Chartered Financial Analyst ®) and the AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary®). The CFA® designation is globally recognized and attests to the charterholder’s success in a rigorous and comprehensive study program in the field of investment management and research analysis. The AIF® represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply the fiduciary Practices. Personal Both Trey and his wife, Bess, are Birmingham natives. They both enjoy travel and sports, especially when family and friends are involved. The couple has even taken an RV to a pair of Alabama road games.

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