Over the past year, we saw markets rebound from a dismal 2022, but many investors still felt like they were falling behind as stock market performance was led by a concentrated group of large companies known as the Magnificent Seven. The temptation to chase the top performers is only natural, but history has shown us time and again that this is not a good idea.

As the Federal Reserve raised rates in 2023, money market funds became popular, drawing in $1.1 trillion due to economic uncertainty, bank collapses, inflation, and other factors. Yet, investing in global stocks and bonds likely would have yielded higher returns than money market funds.

As investors look back on 2023, they will likely remember it as a positive year for stocks, with the S&P 500 finishing in positive territory. While this isn’t unusual, the composition of return may be surprising to some.

While liquidity exists on a spectrum and can be viewed through a variety of lenses, in short it simply represents the ability to turn an asset into cash or cash into an asset.

The Federal Open Market Committee concluded its July meeting and announced a 0.25% rate hike. This sets the target for the federal funds rate between 5.25% and 5.50%. The pause we witnessed in June was likely just a brief respite, and the end of it did not come as a surprise to many investors.

Inflation has left many of us wondering how we can preserve purchasing power in our investment portfolios, particularly in fixed income. Two forms of inflation-protected bonds have been top-of-mind: Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) and I Bonds.

Managing your investment portfolio to minimize taxes can be a major part of your retirement and financial planning strategy. Have you heard of “tax-loss harvesting?” The technique can help to maintain tax efficiency over time, especially as markets fluctuate.

The looming recession has been “six months away” for the last 18 months. Yet the data (for the most part) continues to indicate a strong – yet slowing – economy, confounding many who expected the aggressive rate hiking cycle to break the economy and lead to a significant spike in unemployment.

It appears that an economic cycle characterized by over a decade of low interest rates and financial stimulus is drawing to a close. Investors now face a new reality where company fundamentals play a more significant role.

Financial advisor Don Duncan discusses Savant’s integrated approach and how the 10 key planning areas work together to help clients work toward achieving their financial goals.

The Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) releases the dot plot each quarter. What exactly is it, why was it created, and what can it tell us?

Despite higher borrowing costs and rising vacancy rates, we have reason to believe real estate will likely continue to be an attractive asset class warranting a strategic spot in a diversified portfolio.