The Markets (as of market close August 31, 2026) Wall Street enjoyed a solid month in August, despite periodic volatility. Stocks overcame inflation concerns, a receding labor market, rising Treasury yields, monetary policy uncertainty, and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East to post end-of-the-month gains. The markets focused on strong corporate earnings, softening inflation […]

The short answer: the historical data consistently favors investing now over waiting. Across every scenario (worst-case entry timing, panic-selling during a crash, or missing the market’s best days), the cost of waiting has historically outweighed the cost of imperfect timing The S&P 500 spent the first half of 2026 setting 24 new all-time highs, continuing a bull market […]

Introduction If the value of your stocks, bonds, or other capital investments has increased substantially, there are a few steps you can take to minimize taxation. These include timing the sale of your capital assets, using capital losses effectively, and passing assets to heirs at your death. In addition, you might consider charitable giving. Timing […]

When you leave your job or retire, you may have four options to manage funds in a work-based retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) plan. Rollover to an IRA The option that could give you the most control is to roll some or all of the funds to an IRA. IRAs typically […]

Equity Performance Markets were mixed in June.The small caps Russell 2000 led the way with a 3.7% gain, while the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a 2.7% increase. The tech-heavy Nasdaq was the largest laggard, slipping 2.8% in June. Sector performance was split fairly evenly, with six of the eleven sectors ending the month higher. Industrials led with a 7.3% gain, followed […]

Handling Market Volatility Conventional wisdom says that what goes up, must come down. But even if you view market volatility as a normal occurrence, it can be tough to handle when it’s your money at stake. Though there’s no foolproof way to handle the ups and downs of the stock market, the following common sense […]

Net Unrealized Appreciation: The Untold Story If you participate in a 401(k), employee stock ownership plan, or other qualified retirement plan that lets you invest in your employer’s stock, you need to know about net unrealized appreciation — a simple tax-deferral opportunity with an unfortunately complicated name. When you receive a distribution from your employer’s […]

Geopolitics and the U.S. Financial Markets International conflicts and other global events dominated the news in early 2026, most notably the U.S. action in Venezuela and pressure to obtain control of Greenland, as well as anti-government protests in Iran and a snap election in Japan. These are all serious issues that can have far-reaching consequences […]

The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance (OIEA) and Division of Enforcement warn investors that scams involving stock recommendations may be conducted through social media. Investors should never make investment decisions based solely on information from social media platforms or apps. Watch Out For Stock Tip Red Flags. Did you click on an advertisement online […]

Wall Street Expects the Market to Keep Rallying in 2026 Despite Lofty Valuations Wall Street is betting that falling interest rates and strong corporate earnings will be enough to eke out yet one more year of stock-market gains. It’s going to be close. After posting double-digit percentage increases for three straight years, from 2023 through […]