Feb. 22, 2018 Market Update for the Month Ending January 31, 2018

Stock markets have strong start to the year

All three major U.S. indices posted large gains in January, despite a dip at month-end. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 7.40 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average popped 5.88 percent, and the S&P 500 Index was up 5.73 percent.

Feb. 22, 2018 Investor360°® Makes Tax Time Easier

With April 17 on the horizon, I wanted to let you know that, if you’re using TurboTax or H&R Block software, Investor360°® can save you time and aggravation by accurately transferring the investment account information you’ll need to complete your federal return.

Feb. 21, 2018 What Does the Market Decline Mean for You?

What Does the Market Decline Mean for You?

Market drops are scary, especially when they come day after day. The decline on Monday, February 5, was particularly bad. In fact, it has been billed as the largest point drop ever for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Looking at that, it’s normal to think that the stock market is in a downward spiral. History shows, however, that this is often not the case. Although declines like we have seen in the past week are not fun, they generally are not reason to panic.

Jan. 10, 2018 Market Update for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2017

Solid December caps strong year for markets

All three major U.S. indices were up during the last month and quarter of 2017. In December, the Dow Jones Industrial Average returned 1.92 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices gained 1.11 percent and 0.48 percent, respectively. For the quarter, the Dow gained 10.96 percent; the S&P 500, 6.64 percent; and the Nasdaq, 6.55 percent. For the year, the Nasdaq rose an impressive 29.64 percent, with the Dow climbing 28.11 percent and the S&P 500 returning 21.83 percent. All three indices were trading above their 200-day moving averages at year-end.

Jan. 10, 2018 Understanding Advance Directives

If you became seriously ill and could no longer communicate your wishes, how would you want to be cared for? Which treatments would you want, and which would you want to avoid? Advance directives allow you to convey your decisions for end-of-life care to family, friends, and health care professionals, helping prevent confusion down the road.

Jan. 10, 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017: What Taxpayers Need to Know

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the act or TCJA). The legislation makes significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), including individual, corporate, and gift and estate taxation.