Amid the July 4th fanfare, a new tax-advantaged investment account officially launched: the 530A account, also known as a Trump Account, which is designed to help children get a head start on their financial future. Parents (or other authorized representatives) have been able to apply since December 2025. By mid-June, more than six million accounts […]
Read MoreUpdates
Markets Slip as Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Stocks
Wall Street experienced a downturn last week. Investors were in a “risk-off” mood as the war in Iran escalated, while AI and semiconductor shares dropped, which dragged the overall market lower. Each of the major market indexes lost value, ending a streak of favorable weekly performances. Traders moved away from Megacap shares, which pulled prices […]
Read MoreWho Owns America’s $39 Trillion National Debt?
America has accomplished incredible things throughout its 250-year history, but debt is also part of its story. Today, the United States has the highest national government debt in the world. This graphic shows who holds U.S. debt, from domestic investors and foreign governments to the Federal Reserve and internal trust funds. Breaking down who holds […]
Read MoreTech Stocks Rebound as Markets Shake Off Early Uncertainty
Investors were somewhat skittish during the early part of last week as tensions in the Middle East intensified. However, stocks closed the week on an uptick following solid sessions last Thursday and Friday. After a brief retreat, tech shares led the market surge, supported by the New York market debut of a major South Korean […]
Read MoreSocial Security and Medicare: Planning for Future Changes
A recent survey showed that only about half of workers and 6 in 10 retirees are confident that Social Security and Medicare will provide the same value in the future.1 That’s not surprising. For years, detailed annual reports released by the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds have warned that the trust funds […]
Read MoreBlue-Chip Stocks Lead as Markets Shift Beyond AI
Last week’s trading session was shortened as the markets were closed on Friday, July 3, in honor of Independence Day. Wall Street saw a shift from AI and semiconductor stocks to more traditional blue-chip stocks. The major market mover was the labor report for June, which saw employment accelerate but at a slower pace than […]
Read MoreMarkets Shift as AI Stocks Pull Back and Value Sectors Gain
For just the second time in the last 13 weeks, both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ recorded weekly losses. AI stocks, which had driven the market for much of the year, experienced a notable drop, despite favorable earnings reports from some major microchip companies. Investors moved away from tech to more value-driven sectors, such […]
Read MoreMidyear Tax Checkup: Steps to Help Reduce Your Tax Liability
With the tax season a distant memory and summer already here, you have probably stopped thinking about taxes and are busy planning your annual vacation; however, midyear is also a good time for a tax checkup. With time left before 2026 ends, you still have a window to identify and address any tax issues or […]
Read MoreFed Holds Rates Steady as Markets Rally on Middle East Deal
Most markets were closed last Friday in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day. Wall Street rallied last week as investors displayed optimism over the signing of an initial agreement ending hostilities in the Middle East. Market gains were realized despite the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady at 3.50%-3.75% following the first meeting under new […]
Read MoreFederal Student Loan Changes for 2026-2027
Every May, interest rates on federal student loans are recalculated for the upcoming school year. The rates are determined by combining the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note with an additional fixed amount set by Congress. Based on this formula, interest rates on federal student loans are set to increase slightly for the 2026–2027 […]
Read More