The Trust Company of Kansas

DOL Proposes New Rule for Alternative Assets in 401(k) Plans

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed a new rule to clarify the steps employers should take when deciding whether to include investments that hold alternative assets in their 401(k) plans. Alternative assets include private equity, private credit, digital assets, and other investments typically reserved for high-net-worth and institutional investors, such as college endowments […]

Stock Market Gains Push S&P 500 to Record Highs

The U.S. stock market ended last week with strong gains, which led to record highs for the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ. The surge in stock values was largely driven by a better-than-expected jobs report (see below), falling crude oil prices, and robust tech company earnings. Investors continued to favor risk, despite the ongoing tensions […]

Tariff Update 2026: Supreme Court Blocks Key Tariffs

Starting in early 2025, President Trump issued executive orders to impose tariffs on goods from nearly all trading partners under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as well as targeting industries seen as critical to national security with Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Tariffs are taxes on imported goods, which the administration […]

Market Rally 2026: Stocks Hit Record Highs

Wall Street continued to rally with equities ending last week on a strong note. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ closed at record highs, driven by robust corporate earnings, a potential end to the U.S. military involvement in Iran, and easing crude oil prices. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted notable gains as […]

Bill Seeks to Fix Roth Rollover Glitch

In late 2025, lawmakers in both the House and Senate reintroduced legislation to help ensure that retirement plan participants with low balances don’t lose track of their savings during a job change. The new bipartisan legislation (Retirement Rollover Flexibility Act) aims to correct this issue by improving portability for Roth assets and helping employees keep […]

Market Trends 2026: Stocks Rally as Inflation Cools

Stocks continued to rally for the most part last week, fueled by cautious investor optimism that U.S. involvement in the Middle East may be nearing an end. In addition, cooler inflation data (see below) along with the start of what is hoped to be a resilient earnings season also contributed to the rally. A resurgence […]

Travel Tips 2026: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know

Travel tips 2026 are more important than ever as geopolitical tensions, airport disruptions, rising airfare costs, and long TSA lines make travel more complex. Staying informed, planning ahead, and remaining flexible can help ensure a smoother trip. Geopolitical tensions One of the biggest factors shaping travel is global instability. Political unrest, military conflict, and security […]

Stock Market Surge: S&P 500 Hits Record High

Stocks surged last week with the easing of geopolitical tensions that had weighed on equities for weeks. The S&P 500 crossed the 7,000 point barrier, while the NASDAQ achieved its longest winning streak (12 straight sessions) since 1992. Investor optimism was fueled by the ceasefire announced last week and the reopening of the Strait of […]

Tax Refund Tips: 3 Smart Ways to Use Your Refund

As of April 3, 2026, the IRS issued almost 70 million income tax refunds for the 2026 filing season, with an average refund amount of $3,462, about 11% higher than last year.1 For recipients, such a sudden influx of cash raises an important question: What’s the best way to use the money? In a recent […]

Stock Market Rally Continues as Oil Prices Fall

The U.S. stock market enjoyed a second straight rally last week as geopolitical tensions shifted, at least temporarily, from escalation to diplomacy. After a period of high volatility and risk aversion, investors were encouraged by the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed the […]