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Quarterly Economic Update: Fourth Quarter 2020
Strategies for Investors in Uncertain Times
After one of the most contentious presidential elections in recent history, as of November 6th, the election results are still not finalized and they might be contested for the foreseeable future.
Annual Plan Limits
For Plans that are on an off-calendar year, compensation is based on the annual limits in effect at the beginning of the Plan Year…
Quarterly Economic Update: Third Quarter 2020
Nearly six months after the large waterfall drop of equity prices in March, most broad indexes have found their way to a better place.
Research
Q3 Earnings Should Be Fine, but Expectations Beyond This Quarter Are High | Weekly Market Commentary | October 21, 2024
The S&P 500 consensus earnings growth number of 3% for the third quarter is not something to write home about, especially after double-digit earnings growth in the second quarter. The soft number is partly due to a tougher comparison. In Q2 2024, earnings had an easier comparison with a 3.3% drop in earnings in the prior-year quarter (Q2 2023 vs. Q2 2022). For the third quarter now being reported, the comparison gets tougher as earnings growth in Q3 2023 was over 5% (vs. Q2 2022).
Q3 Earnings Should Be Fine, but Expectations Beyond This Quarter Are High | Weekly Market Commentary | October 21, 2024
The S&P 500 consensus earnings growth number of 3% for the third quarter is not something to write home about, especially after double-digit earnings growth in the second quarter. The soft number is partly due to a tougher comparison. In Q2 2024, earnings had an easier comparison with a 3.3% drop in earnings in the prior-year quarter (Q2 2023 vs. Q2 2022). For the third quarter now being reported, the comparison gets tougher as earnings growth in Q3 2023 was over 5% (vs. Q2 2022).
Just When We Recalibrated, Another Shock Arrived | Weekly Market Commentary | October 7, 2024
Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell said last month’s decision to cut the fed funds target rate by a half percentage point was due to a “recalibrating” policy, as the Fed follows its dual mandate regarding inflation and growth.
Gold Rally Is No Flash in the Pan | Weekly Market Commentary | September 30, 2024
When it comes to investing, gold may be the antithesis of artificial intelligence (AI). The precious metal has acted as a store of value for thousands of years with zero technological innovation — gold is discovered, not developed. Gold is also a real tangible asset and can act as a potential hedge against inflation or a safe haven during times of crisis.
