by Dr. JoAnne Feeney Portfolio Manager Investors may be pleased to realize that the S&P 500 has risen 19% year to date, even as they lament that the market has slowed down considerably this quarter, having risen just 0.9% thus far. Moreover, the ride has been a bumpy one, as the chart below illustrates, and reflects...Read More

by Jeff Deiss CFP, AEP, Wealth Advisor A colleague of mine made a statement years ago that I never forget.  He said, “I don’t know why investors are so focused on beating the S&P 500.  You can’t retire on the S&P!” I’ve thought about his statement ever since.  In fact, it’s difficult for me to avoid. ...Read More

by Randall Coleman, CFA Portfolio Manager, CFA Hi. My name is Randall and I am an addict: I ride my bicycle long distances. I’m not one to brag, but most people that I know agree that riding a bike 200 miles in a single day qualifies as a “long-distance endurance event.” I completed my 64th...Read More

by Kevin Kern Managing Partner In the Spring of 2018, the S&P 500® was trading at a forward P/E of 17.3X. The stock market was a little rich in valuation but arguably warranted as earnings were still trending upward and employment surging. At that time we took a look at our private account valuations in...Read More

by Richard Yuran Insurance Specialist,  Advisors Capital Planning, LLC Interest rates have a direct and indirect impact on life insurance companies, their product offerings, and existing (“inforce”) policies. Most life insurance products with declared dividend or interest rates are illustrated at the interest rate in effect at the time the illustration is prepared. When these rates...Read More

by David Ruff CFA, Global Portfolio Manager The short answer is no. While the confrontation may worsen and possibly include Chinese army involvement, these kinds of protests rarely lead to economic stagnation and failure.  Paradoxically, many of these kinds of violent demonstrations in other parts of Asia have helped bring political reform and improved economies.  Thailand,...Read More

by Dr. Charles Lieberman Chief Investment Officer Analysts describe investors as “Twitchy,” Skittish,” and “Anxious.”  It is impossible to read a financial publication without being informed that inverted yield curves signal recession.  The decline in yields on Treasuries is commonly taken as the market anticipating or preparing for a recession.  The trade war is taken as...Read More