National rent asking prices fell year-over-year for the first time in three years, reflecting a surplus of supply and moderating new demand. Pandemic-era construction accelerated rapidly to meet the surge in demand….
What the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse Means for Investors
Last Friday saw the largest bank failure since the Great Recession, as Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was closed by California's financial regulator. The bank was effectively caught between depositor withdrawals and assets…
The Potential Impact of India's Economic Efforts
India is making economic moves that could contribute to meaningful forward strides for the country and contribute to a positive outlook for emerging markets. India has invested a significant amount of capital recently in…
Growing Pressures in the Labor Market
Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70% of economic activity in the U.S., as measured by gross domestic product (GDP). This means that the health and strength of the economy is heavily dependent on personal finances and…
Debt Markets are Becoming More Attractive for Investors
For over a decade, investors seeking a healthy yield from bonds or short-term cash equivalents have found very little to work with. The Federal Reserve has largely held the federal funds target rate near zero since 2008. The…
Cryptocurrency Risks
The past few weeks have reminded investors of the risks involved in allocating capital to cryptocurrencies and related assets. Cryptocurrencies, in large part, are not backed in value by probabilistic cash flow generation, as…
Large Increase for IRA and 401(k) Contribution Limits
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and company-sponsored 401(k) accounts provide convenient options for individuals to save and invest money in a tax-advantaged manner. These benefits can have a significant positive impact…
Estate Planning Strategy Updates
Deliberate estate planning and wealth transfer strategies are useful for minimizing tax burden, streamlining legacy decisions, and protecting dependents and other beneficiaries. Rules regarding estate planning undergo frequent…
Addressing the Semiconductor Chip Shortage
Semiconductor chips are crucial components in a mind-boggling number of products for consumers, businesses, and government entities. These products include cars and trucks, computers, gaming devices, drones, data storage…
The Fed’s Updated Projections on Raising Interest Rates
Interest rates are one of the most important factors influencing economic activity, costs and prices of goods and property, and company profitability. As interest rates rise, debt becomes more expensive and carves into personal…
Investment Opportunities Differ by Policy Approach in Various Geographic Regions
As different governments and various institutions take a diverse array of approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic and social effects, certain geographic regions have emerged as potentially providing better…
Implications of the Biden Administration's Carbon-Neutral Initiative
The Biden Administration resolved this week to pursue complete carbon neutrality across the federal government over the next few decades. The implications for investment opportunities and risks, if the plan is brought to fruition…
SPACs Explained
A special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) is an investment vehicle that enables companies to go public without going through an initial public offering (IPO), which is a complex and costly process that can take months or even…
Fed Plans to Lower Inflation
The significant impact of inflation on the value of an investment portfolio is an important consideration to understand when making strategic and tactical portfolio allocation decisions. A high inflation rate has a particularly negative…
Diversification within a Cryptocurrency Portfolio
Cryptocurrency is a relatively new “trendy” allocation among not only retail investors but also institutional investors including hedge funds and investment banks. Considering the significant regulatory and behavioral adoption risk…
Current Mortgage Rates and Where They are Going
Considering buying or refinancing a house is a very significant financial decision that has a significant impact on both short-term cash flow and long-term potential gains. When making this decision, it is important to consider many…
Recent Changes in Government Bond Yields
In part as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its many impacts on the world economy, US government bond yields have been steadily declining since mid-2019. Many factors have an effect on US government bond yields…
How Recent Changing Lumber Prices are Affecting the Housing Market
In recent months, lumber prices both soared to levels not seen since 2006 and dropped back down to pre-COVID prices. The fluctuation upward had a direct impact on the housing market, causing home prices to reach new highs…
Is it Better to use Excess Cash to Pay Down Student Debt or to Invest it?
During this time of greater-than-average rates of student loan forgiveness, many investors may question whether it is better to use excess cash to pay down student debt or to invest in the stock market…
New Capital Gains Tax Rates and Their Effect on Investment Strategies
Along with the new tax year comes potentially updated capital gains tax rates, for both long-term and short-term capital gains. Increases in capital gains taxes can occur as a result of…