Although markets have performed well this year, some investors seem nervous about upcoming events such as the presidential election, the Fed’s next rate decision, and the state of the economy. In times of nervousness, many investors turn to precious metals--on of them being gold. While gold can serve many important purposes, some investors focus on it as a standalone investment rather than as a component of a well-constructed portfolio.
Oil prices play an important role in the global economy, directly influencing the cost of gasoline at the pump and indirectly impacting the prices of all goods and services. The price of oil has also been an important factor influencing global markets and inflation trends over the past few years. Historically, the relationship between oil and the economy is a two-way street: low or stable oil prices stimulate the economy, and a growing economy increases the demand for oil, and vice versa.
Drafting a succession plan now can help your business stand the test of time. As a business owner, you’ve invested so much into making your business successful – hard work, time, money, energy. It’s truly hard to imagine your business without you. But chances are there will come a day when someone else will take the reins. And a seamless succession plan, one carefully and thoughtfully devised well in advance, is essential to making sure your business enjoys continued success for generations to come.
After delivering record performance through the first six months of the year, the market did not take a breather and continued its upward trend. After delivering 31 record highs and a 15% return through June, the S&P 500 Index added a 6% return and 12 more record highs during the third quarter. Behind the strong quarterly return is a bit of data to unpack, so let’s start with September...
In episode 11 of charts that matter I discussed the recent Federal Reserve cut to interest rates and the longer-term rate outlook. The key theme was “don’t be too comfortable being comfortable in cash.” Meaning that the outlook for rates on savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market funds is likely lower. In my opinion, investors face a potential opportunity cost of holding excess cash as the Fed continues to lower interest rates.
