S&P 500 Win Streak Comes To An End

U.S. stock indexes edged higher in early trading Wednesday, extending modest gains from a day earlier, as investors reviewed the latest batch of company earnings reports. Gains in consumer goods, technology and communications companies outweighed losses in health care and financial stocks. Garmin rose after reporting better sales. CVS Health slumped after the pharmacy operator gave a 2019 outlook that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations.

Managing debt is the No. 2 financial concern of Millennials with investable assets of $100,000 or more, cited by 31%, according to the Advisor Authority Study commissioned by Nationwide Advisory Solutions. By comparison, managing debt is rated fourth by Gen Xers and does not break the top five for Baby Boomers or Matures. In fact, Millennials may be grappling with…

The Insured Retirement Institute issued the following news release:. -Continued Coordination with SEC “Essential to Achieving Regulatory Consistency”. The Insured Retirement Institute filed comments today on a crucial state regulatory model affecting annuity transactions.

Cerulli research finds fixed indexed annuities are expected to rise to the top of the leaderboard over the next few years. What’s behind the prediction?

A growing number of professional publications aimed at financial advisors plus consumer and news mediums are spotlighting the growing problem of student loan debt. Match those up with increased concern over the potential for robotics and artificial intelligence to disrupt careers and job prospects, and an obvious challenge emerges regarding education…

Plenty has been written about American workers’ failure to plan adequately for retirement. Only 1 in 10 large employers offers a formal phased-retirement program that lets workers cut back their hours or responsibilities before they quit work entirely, according to the 2018 Longer Working Careers Survey by professional services consultant Willis Towers…

In video 2 of the Rewirement series, Jamie Hopkins, Director of Retirement Research at the Carson Group discusses Long-term care and how advisors can help clients plan for it.

The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, Matthew G. T. Martin, issued the following news release:. A Florida financial advisor who provided financial services to professional athletes was sentenced to prison today for conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering, announced Matthew G.T. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of…

The low-cost race is set to escalate further as Charles Schwab and Fidelity Investments both announced plans to expand their commission-free ETF lineup.

Under certain market conditions, and when it comes to particular asset classes, one method tends to outperform the other. Here’s a look at why and what it means to the average investor.

Jamie Hopkins, Director of Retirement Research at the Carson Group introduces his newest video series Rewirement Tips exclusively found on AdvisorNews.com

This year, consider going beyond the flowers and chocolates and think about providing financial-related gifts to your loved ones of all generations. Here are some gift possibilities to consider:. So, why not use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to review your disability and life insurance?

Americans’ optimism about their personal finances has climbed to levels not seen in more than 16 years, with 69% now saying they expect to be financially better off “at this time next year.”

The gross national debt surpassed $22 trillion for the first time in U.S. history, according to data released by the Treasury Department on Tuesday. National debt stood at $21.974 trillion as of Dec. 31, representing an increase one year after President Donald Trump signed a tax reform bill in which a lower corporate tax rate lowered Treasury revenues.

Valentine’s Day remains a very popular time for marriage proposals, but have you created a financial plan for your possible new life together? “It is so important that couples planning marriage reach an agreement about how they intend to merge their finances,” said Dan Fan, senior vice president and director of wealth planning at First Bank.

Video game and chipmakers led stock futures higher Tuesday, as lawmakers hustled to avoid a government shutdown and the Dow Jones index held at 25,000.

Someone has to inherit your assets, and if you don’t decide, state laws will do it for you. That means your awful Great Uncle Ed may inherit, while your beloved cousin Mary may get nothing. That’s only one reason to get busy.

With a longer lifespan and often less time building a nest egg, the stakes for women are higher in retirement, but these challenges don’t have to sideline your planning.

Strategies can be mixed together. A long-term care plan should never be an all or nothing plan – it should be collaborative and coordinated with the overall retirement income plan.

This $1.5 trillion dilemma doesn’t discriminate.

Fresh doubts about whether star managers can deliver consistently superior returns have been raised following Bill Gross’ retirement.

If you can encourage the unique passions, goals and skills of each individual in your company, you can create a work place that is just as dynamic as its people. One of the ways I’ve found to best grow and encourage my employees is by instituting a culture of ownership.

The Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives heard open testimony Wednesday morning from a stable of retirement and financial experts, with the stated goal of promoting solutions to American workers&# x2019; significant projected retirement savings shortfall. Speakers included Diane Oakley, executive director, National Institute on…

Cryptocurrency has the potential to completely change how our economy functions— and it’ s already doing it. Many countries have either allowed or fully embraced cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the market cap for multiple cryptocurrencies has exceeded $1 billion, and public regard for cryptocurrencies is at an all-time high. That means the core institutions…

Having a will is an essential part of an estate plan. A will directs how your probate assets will be distributed upon your passing, designates an Executor to be in charge of your estate, and allows you to create trusts for minor grandchildren or disabled beneficiaries.

Our first issue, published in February 1994, offered guidance on timely issues of the day, such as how to take advantage of the home-sale-profit exclusion and how to comply with new rules that for the first time required a receipt for charitable donations of $250 or more. Some advice, such as how to figure tax on Social Security benefits, proved to be evergreen.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act goes into effect for 2018 taxes, but the results of much lower business taxes are already visible in the US stock market. The top reason to limit spending, according to the Bankrate study, is to save more. According to the Federal Reserve, 40% of Americans can’ t afford a $400 emergency from savings, so the results of the Bankrate study are…

But Catherine Putney of ITR Economics of Manchester produced groans from a lunchtime audience when making a more dire prediction. “ITR does mention that 2030, will be a pretty– I don’t want to say apocalyptic– but another Great Depression in the United States,” Putney told 160 people attending a Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Puritan…

After suffering their worst December in almost 90 years, U.S. stocks rebounded in spectacular fashion in January. U.S. markets notched the best January in 30 years, fueled by positive news from the Federal Reserve. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell remained cautious while pointing to strength in the labor market and tepid inflation.

Achieving your goals requires much more than just choosing the right investments. To keep you on track, financial professionals sometimes need to step in with some clear coaching and a little tough love.

Cryptocurrency exchanges that want to use Nasdaq’ s proprietary surveillance technology need to have more than money. A team of about 20 people contribute to an elaborate due-diligence process aimed at ensuring that any exchange that wants to use the technology, which scans for fraudulent transaction patterns, is technically capable and morally inclined…

WASHINGTON— The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady Wednesday and sent its strongest signal to date that it sees no need to raise rates anytime soon. The Fed’s key rate influences many loan rates for businesses and consumers, including mortgages. The picture sketched by Powell and the Fed was of a U.S. economy that remains on firm footing with…

Stock markets are up slightly ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate announcement and the subsequent news conference by Chairman Jerome Powell. Investors expect the central bank to keep its rates on hold but will be looking for Powell to confirm that any further hikes will be gradual. Concerns about the pace of rate increases, which can make borrowing more expensive and cool off economic growth, had last year sent stock markets into a tailspin.

Not that 2018 was a stellar year for growth companies, but it was downright miserable for value stocks. Using a pair of popular funds as proxies, growth stocks finished last year 4.5% in the hole… but value equities lost nearly 8%. The coming year could look quite different, however.

Fed meeting: The current pace of quantitative tightening seems like an unnecessary risk. The Dow Jones could suffer a letdown if policymakers doesn’t alter their approach.

Robo-advisors, digital platforms and lower-cost delivery options will have a place in the industry and will gain market share, but the real money is in providing it all through one gateway.

According to a new LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute study, 79 percent of American consumers are concerned about financial fraud with 36 percent saying they were very concerned. The report, Financial Fraud and Retirement Accounts: An Opportunity to Engage, Educate and Build Trust, noticed that levels of concern vary significantly across the different types…

Even the best clients in the most appropriate investments can panic when they’re watching their hard-earned savings shrink on a daily basis.

While contributing the max to a 401 plan may not be easy, data from Vanguard suggests that over 40 percent of participants earning $100,000 or more were able to reach the limit last year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 56 percent of employers offer a 401 plan and of those with a plan, 51 percent offer some form of a match. For example, let’s assume a…

Down 650 points one day. Up more than 1,000 points the next. “Turn off, or at least turn down, the financial talking heads,” says financial planner Paul Fain, with Asset Planning Corp., in Knoxville, Tenn. Longer-term, the following steps can help you make lemonade when the market gives you lemons.

Both Boomers and Gen Xers are relying or expect to rely on Social Security for a portion of their monthly income. Seventy-three percent of Boomers rely on Social Security for 25% to 100% of their monthly income–and 85% of Gen Xers expect to do the same. Fifty percent of Boomers and Gen Xers have saved or are on track to save $700,000 or less.

The IMF cut its estimate for global growth this year to 3.5 percent, from the 3.7 percent it had predicted in October and down from 2018′ s 3.7 percent. “After two years of solid expansion, the world economy is growing more slowly than expected and risks are rising,” said IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde as she presented the forecasts at the World Economic…

Later this year, however, U.S. stock index funds may for the first time control more in assets than mutual funds run by stock-picking managers trying to deliver better returns than an index like the S&P 500.. U.S. stock index mutual funds and ETFs now control close to $3.6 trillion, according to Morningstar. Last year, investors pumped a net $206.5 billion into U.S….

BANGKOK- World stocks were subdued Monday after China reported its slowest economic expansion in 30 years and the International Monetary Fund cut its forecasts for global growth this year. Britain’s FTSE 100 added less than 0.1 percent to 6,970.59. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.3 percent to 20,719.33, while South Korea’s Kospi was flat at 2,124.61.

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards issued the following news release:. At the start of this New Year, Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards welcomes Susan John, CFP (R) as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. One of her great accomplishments at NAPFA was helping to form the Financial Planning Coalition, a collaboration between the…

Despite countless television ads touting the virtues of retirement planning, it seems many people are not getting the message: According to a survey from GOBBankingRates.com, one-third of Americans have nothing saved for retirement. Financial advisors recommend men and women begin saving for retirement as early as possible. The longer people delay…

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards issued the following news release:. Financial advisors remain the primary source for the delivery of financial advice despite the availability of fully automated digital solutions, with clients expecting technology to be part of their relationship with advisors, according to a new report issued today by…

Advisors could find opportunities as an increasing number of women seek financial advice and are expected to control $22 trillion in assets by 2020.

Each week MDRT and AdvisorNews bring readers advice on topics encompassing the financial services industry including case studies, practice management, tips for success and much more.

Concern over a state-by-state approach is one reason that a national set of uniform rules made sense because that would limit a confusing array of regulations, several observers from Pennsylvania noted. Steve Bell, with the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the Financial Planning Association, said a new proposal has been floated in Washington, D.C., that could…

Jack Bogle died on Jan. 16. Business and investment guru Warren Buffet, a huge fan of Bogle’ s, once bet a hedge fund manager $1 million that an index fund would beat his hedge fund’ s gains over a period of time. The other thing Jack Bogle did was to drastically lower the fees investors pay to mutual fund managers, for both index and traditional, actively managed funds.

“One of the treasurer’ s highest priorities in the new year is to put together more supporters and business advocates now that there is a new general assembly,” said Mike Connolly, director of communications for the Pennsylvania Treasury in Harrisburg.“ Employees would be offered a mandatory IRA plan through work, as a payroll deduction. It does not put a burden on…

Married women overall are still in their peak earning years in their 50 s and early 60 s, while married men’s earnings are on the decline, says economist Nicole Maestas, an associate professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School and the author of a recent study about couples’ income and retirement patterns. As a result, married women typically…

The Internal Revenue Service is recalling about 46,000 of its employees furloughed by the government shutdown _ nearly 60 percent of its workforce _ to handle tax returns and pay out refunds. The employees won’t be paid. The Trump administration has promised that taxpayers owed refunds will be paid on time despite the disruption in government services caused by the partial shutdown now in its fourth week.

Clients will be able to contribute more to these accounts in 2019 because of changes in tax law, but choosing a plan is still no easy decision.

The volatility experienced at the end of 2018 is something long forgotten by some investors. Volatility isn’t always a bad word, it really means a tendency or vulnerability to rapid change, often unpredictably, especially for the worse. For equity investors, 2018 exuded evidence of increased volatility, and much of it was in the downward direction.

The high-stakes skirmish between the Federal Reserve and Wall Street over the path of interest rates is over. But something quite unexpected had transpired: The Fed, facing strong criticism from Wall Street and the White House for its campaign to raise interest rates to more normal levels, concluded it was best to take a breather. Wall Street, by contrast, was sure…

Values-based planning can help improve your practice by allowing you to better advise your clients, predict their behavior under stress and focus your conversations. If you’re interested in incorporating this approach into your practice, review the three recommendations below.

The three-day talks in Beijing that wrapped up on Wednesday were the first face-to-face negotiations since U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in Buenos Aires in December and agreed on a 90- day truce in a trade war that has disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods. US officials used three days of trade…

Stocks around the world built on their early 2019 rally Wednesday after negotiators from the U.S. and China extended their round of trade talks to a third day, which investors took as a sign the discussions were productive even though no major breakthroughs have been announced. Oil prices also continued to climb and stocks linked to faster economic growth, such as technology companies, kept climbing. Bond prices fell, sending yields higher.

The SEC is running on a skeleton crew that effectively halts routine oversight.

In good times and bad, Wall Street has to have a story— a clear, concise view of the economy and markets and how you, our valued client, can make money by trading with us. Bloomberg reporters sifted through dozens of Wall Street research notes and provided a Reader’ s Digest version of the key takeaways. “We think the bear market is mostly complete for emerging markets, has…

One recent characteristic of the stock market is that every day can feel like bedlam. Investors have been careening from fear to relief and back again depending on the latest news. More tests of the market’s mettle lie ahead, with U.S.-China trade talks, the fourth-quarter earnings period and another Federal Reserve meeting on the horizon.