Last Monday saw stocks advance following encouraging news in the development of yet another COVID-19 vaccine. The Russell 2000 climbed nearly 2.0%, followed by the Dow, the Global Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq. Treasury yields and crude oil prices surged, while the dollar was mixed. Among the market sectors, energy jumped higher, followed […]
Read MoreMonth: November 2020
Weekly Update as of market close November 13, 2020
Last week began with more good news on another COVID-19 vaccine, sparking a rally in domestic and global stocks. The Dow set a record as it neared the 30,000 mark, with cyclicals and small caps advancing on hopes of a speedier economic recovery. The Russell 2000 and the Global Dow each gained more than 2.0%, […]
Read MoreChanging My Role, Not Quite Ready for Retirement
“I truly care about our employees, this amazing company, and its clients.” A Message From Stephen A. English… “I have been blessed with a 50-year career in the trust business, especially the past 30 years leading The Trust Company of Kansas. I have witnessed many changes in the fiduciary world and take great pride in […]
Read MoreWhat Will You Pay for Medicare in 2021?
Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts change annually. Here’s a look at some of the costs that will apply in 2021 if you’re enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Part B premiums According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), most people with Medicare who receive Social Security benefits […]
Read MoreWeekly Update as of market close November 13, 2020
Stocks soared to record highs last Monday following an announcement from a major pharmaceutical company of positive data on a COVID-19 vaccine. That news, coupled with President-elect Joe Biden’s win, helped buoy investor optimism. Cyclicals and bio-tech stocks led a powerful rally, which drove the Dow up 3.0%. The S&P 500 added 1.2%, the Russell […]
Read MoreNew College Cost Data for 2020-2021 School Year
Every year, the College Board releases updated college cost data and trends in its annual report. Although costs can vary significantly depending on region of the country and college, the College Board publishes average cost figures, which are based on a survey of approximately 4,000 colleges across the country. Following are cost highlights for the […]
Read MoreWeekly Update as of market close November 6, 2020
Stocks rebounded last Monday with each of the benchmark indexes gaining value, led by the Russell 2000, which added 2.0%, followed by the Global Dow, the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq. Treasury yields fell while the dollar and crude oil prices advanced. It is unclear what drove the market uptick. Some analysts suggest […]
Read MoreIRA and Retirement Plan Limits for 2021
Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. While some of the limits remain unchanged for 2021, other key numbers have increased. IRA contribution limits The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2021 is $6,000 (or 100% of your earned income, if less), […]
Read MoreWeekly Update as of market close October 30, 2020
Concern over a surge in COVID-19 cases drove equities lower last Monday. Each of the major indexes listed here fell, with the Dow plunging -2.3% and the S&P 500 (-1.9%) suffering its biggest one-day decline in a month. The losses could have been much worse had it not been for some encouraging words from House […]
Read More