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While the global economy extended its post-crisis recovery in 2019, growth occurred at its slowest pace since the global financial crisis. Despite the headwinds from a weak global economy, trade disputes, geopolitical tensions, and social unrest, it was a strong year for global equities. Key Highlights: Political and trade-related headlines

Background The recently signed “Phase One” trade deal between the U.S. and China has been viewed with skepticism by some analysts. The deal mostly left existing tariffs in place, and there are doubts whether China can actually deliver on its promised $200 billion of commodity purchases over the next two

According to NASA, 2014 – 2018 were the five warmest years on record going back to 1880. Global temperatures in 2018 were 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit (F) warmer than the average from 1951 through 1980. NASA and many members of the scientific community believe that this warming has been driven in

Please find the next blog in our monthly series that provides a review of the prior month’s market data, the state of the economy, and the global financial markets. Global Economy: In the spirit of the coming New Year, significant progress was made in December to bring resolution to a

On Dec 20, 2019 President Trump signed into law The SECURE act, an acronym for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement. The bill is intended to strengthen American’s retirement security. Key points: Increasing the Required Minimum Distribution Age Effective January 1, 2020, the age at which individuals must begin

By Year End Fund Health Savings Account (HSA): For 2019, those in high-deductible health-insurance plans can contribute as much as $3,500 before taxes. For families, the figure is $7,000 and those age 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000. Spend flex dollars: Unused funds in Flexible Spending Accounts are typically forfeited

Please find the next blog in our monthly series that provides a review of the prior month’s market data, the state of the economy, and the global financial markets. Global Economy: A pervasive feeling that a recession is not on the immediate horizon, due to ongoing moderate growth, fueled the

Global Economy: Amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, financial markets continued to climb the proverbial wall of worry in October. As prominent equity benchmarks achieved all-time highs, fixed income markets reacted to broad policy accommodation with steeper yield curves and a bias to quality. Concerns of global manufacturing weakness spilling

Policy Easing Continues: Following the mid-cycle adjustment that took place in July and an insurance cut in September, the FOMC delivered its third consecutive monetary policy modification. With a vote to reduce the Fed Funds rate by another 25 bps, the targeted range now stands at 1.50% to 1.75%. As