Stocks pulled back last week as tech shares pared gains from the prior week. The NASDAQ posted a minimal gain, while the S&P 500 retreated from recent record highs. Nine of the 11 market sectors declined last week, with only consumer discretionary and communication services advancing. Investors will be paying close attention to the Federal […]
Read MoreUpdates
Infographic: Global Spending Power by Generation
While older generations control the largest share of global spending today, Gen Z is on track to become the fastest-growing force in global expenditures over the next decade. This graphic shows the share of global population and spending each generation represents in 2024. Why Gen Z could soon drive spending growth In 2024, Gen X, […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close December 6, 2024)
A stronger-than-expected jobs report (see below) helped drive stocks mostly higher last week and raise optimism of an interest rate cut when the Federal Reserve meets later in December. Consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology helped drive the market, which was otherwise tempered by downturns in energy, utilities, real estate, and materials. Long-term bond […]
Read MoreDreaming of Retirement? Consider Maxing Out Your 401(k) in 2025
About 70% of U.S. private-sector workers have the option to contribute to a retirement plan such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) plan provided by an employer. Unfortunately, many of them don’t take full advantage of this tax-friendly opportunity to save for the future.1 The SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0 Act (federal legislation passed in […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close November 29, 2024)
Thanksgiving week proved to be a positive one for stocks. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed higher, led by the Dow and the Russell 2000. Financials, consumer staples, and industrials led the market sectors, with only energy and communication services declining. Yields on 10-year Treasuries fell for the second consecutive week. Crude oil […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close November 22, 2024)
Wall Street enjoyed a solid week of gains, rebounding from the prior week’s losses. Each of the benchmark indexes climbed higher, led by the small caps of the Russell 2000, as investors moved from mega caps to cyclical stocks, which are influenced largely by the economy. Communication services was the only market sector to close […]
Read MoreCollege Costs for 2024-2025 March Higher
Every year, the College Board releases new college cost data and trends in its annual report. The figures published are average costs for public in-state, public out-of-state, and private colleges based on a survey of approximately 4,000 colleges across the country. Over the past 20 years, average costs for tuition, fees, housing, and food has […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close November 15, 2024)
Last week saw stocks close markedly lower as investors were discouraged by hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who put a damper on the likelihood of another interest rate decrease this year. Among the market sectors, energy, financials, and utilities closed the week higher, while the remaining sectors ended the week in the […]
Read MoreHigh Foreign Investment in the United States
According to data from the International Monetary Fund, the United States received almost one-third of all global foreign investment from 2021 to 2023. This compares with an average of just 18% before the pandemic. The dramatic increase is even more remarkable considering widespread concern about the dominance of the U.S. dollar as a global currency.1 […]
Read MoreThe Markets (as of market close November 8, 2024)
Investors had plenty to think about last week as they focused on the results of the presidential election and the Federal Reserve’s move to further reduce interest rates (see below). Each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed up by the end of the week, with consumer discretionary, information technology, and financials outperforming. Bond prices […]
Read More