Aug. 20, 2018 Market Update for the Month Ending July 31, 2018

Strong July for global markets

Global markets rebounded from a volatile June. In the U.S., the S&P 500 Index gained 3.72 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 4.83 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.19 percent.

Aug. 20, 2018 Love Hurts: Understanding the Red Flags of a Romance Scam

According to the FBI, victims of romance scams are generally women ages 50 and older, but anyone could become a target. What follows is one client’s story. Please note that the names and some aspects of the situation have been changed to protect privacy.

Aug. 20, 2018 The Basics of Credit Scores and Credit Reports

As consumers, we know that having a good credit score is important. Whether you are applying for a loan or signing up for a credit card, your credit score plays a major role in determining if you will be approved. Your credit score can also have a significant impact on loan terms and borrowing costs.

July 23, 2018 Market Update for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2018

Volatile June for markets

June proved volatile, with earlier gains offset by later losses. The S&P 500 rose 0.62 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.98 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average bucked the trend, declining 0.49 percent. For the quarter, the S&P 500 was up 3.43 percent, the Dow gained 1.26 percent, and the Nasdaq rose 6.61 percent.

July 23, 2018 2018 Midyear Outlook: Will the Economy and Markets Keep Growing?

After the performance we saw last year, we had high hopes for the economy and markets in 2018, but the first half of the year was disappointing. Expectations softened as the stock market pulled back early in the year, economic growth slowed, and risks—largely in trade—rose. As we hit midyear, though, those initial hopes appear to be more realistic than they were even a month ago. 

July 23, 2018 Is Your W-4 Withholding Accurate?

We all know that federal income taxes are withheld from our paychecks. But are you aware of the degree of control you have over how much is withheld? Here, we’ll discuss the importance of having an accurate W-4 holding, including how recent changes to the tax code present a unique situation for taxpayers in 2018.