Wealth Management News
Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves before the end of the year.
Wall Street got off to a good start to begin the third quarter of 2024 and continued to rally for much of the quarter. Investors spent the quarter watching inflation and economic data, trying to gauge whether the Federal Reserve might lower interest rates. Each month of the quarter provided solid evidence that inflationary pressures had been curbed. Both the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined over the last three months, with the 12-month rate for the CPI ending the quarter at 2.5%, and the PCE price index closing the quarter at 2.2%. In response, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds target rate range by 50.0 basis points, marking the first rate reduction since March 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several indexes reached new records throughout the quarter. The S&P 500 is off to its best nine-month start since 1997, while the Dow and the NASDAQ also hit new highs in the third quarter. Among the market sectors, only energy failed to close the quarter higher. The remaining 10 sectors recorded notable gains, led by utilities (19.1%), real estate (17.1%), industrials (12.6%), and materials (11.1%). Rising bond prices weighed on yields, with the yield on 10-year Treasuries closing lower in each month of the quarter. The yield on the 2-year note ended the quarter at 3.65%, a decrease of 84.0 basis points from the beginning of the quarter. Corporate earnings enjoyed a solid quarter, with 80.0% of S&P 500 companies reporting actual earnings per share (EPS) above the five-year average of 77.0%. The S&P 500 further reported growth in earnings of 11.3%, marking the highest year-over-year growth since the fourth quarter of 2021.
Stocks closed mostly higher in August, buoyed by a strong close to the month. Favorable inflation data and economic reports helped drive stocks higher toward the end of the month as investors took heed of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's statement that it is approaching time to lower interest rates.
The Global Dow led the benchmark indexes, with the S&P 500, the Dow, and the NASDAQ all ending the month higher. The Russell 2000 wasn't able to keep pace as it closed the month lower.
Despite the strong finish, stocks rode a bumpy ride, falling lower mid-month as investors worried that the economy was slowing, and the Fed didn't react in time to stem the negative tide. However, as more favorable economic reports emerged and the Fed seemed ready to ease its restrictive monetary policy, investors were ready to jump back into the market. Among the market sectors, only consumer discretionary and energy declined, while real estate and consumer staples advanced the most.
Did you know that if you postpone claiming Social Security past your full retirement age, you have the option of receiving a lump-sum payment for up to six months of benefits when you finally apply?
Wall Street got off to a slow start to begin the second quarter of 2024. Stocks lagged for much of April, rebounded in May, and were choppy in June. Investors spent the quarter watching economic data, trying to gauge whether the Federal Reserve might lower interest rates.
In April, investors were discouraged by the unexpected rise in inflation, which dampened hopes of several interest rate decreases during the year. However, the latest economic data gave some indication that inflationary pressures may be scaling back.
Traditional economic models are based on the premise that people make rational decisions to maximize economic and financial benefits. In reality, most humans don't make decisions like robots. While logic does guide us, feelings and emotions — such as fear, excitement, and a desire to be part of the "in" crowd — are also at work.
In recent decades, another school of thought has emerged. This field — known as behavioral economics or behavioral finance — has identified unconscious cognitive biases that can influence even the most stoic investor. Understanding these biases may help you avoid questionable financial decisions.
Stocks ended April lower, with each of the benchmark indexes enduring their first downturn in several months. Throughout April, investors had to factor in the escalating crisis in the Middle East, increased spending to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, rising inflation, and the Federal Reserve's apparent intent to hold interest rates at a two-decade high. With April's decline, the S&P 500 was on track to end a streak of five straight monthly gains. Consumer confidence (see below) fell in April to its lowest level since 2022. While the labor market continued to support job growth, labor costs increased the most in a year, driven higher by wage pressures that are helping to push inflation higher.
Wall Street got off to a fast start to begin 2024. Investors were encouraged by strength in the economy, the likelihood of interest rate cuts, possibly beginning in June, and opportunities in artificial intelligence. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted solid first-quarter gains led by the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. Several indexes reached new highs throughout the quarter. The S&P 500 hit its first record high in two years late in January, leading to its best first-quarter performance since 2019. The Federal Reserve provided encouraging news following its meeting in March as it projected three interest rate cuts by the end of the year. Ten-year Treasury yields stayed around 4.20% for most of the quarter, up from 3.86% at the close of 2023. Roughly 76.0% of S&P 500 companies reported fourth-quarter corporate earnings that exceeded analysts' expectations. Some of the "Magnificent Seven" megacap stocks stumbled a bit in the first quarter. Nevertheless, they were responsible for nearly 40.0% of the S&P 500's year-to-date gain, which is down from over 60.0% last year. Ten of the 11 market sectors posted quarterly gains, with industrials, information technology, communication services, financials, and energy climbing more than 10.0%.
Stocks ended February on a high note as each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed up. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 notched all-time highs, as tech shares, particularly those linked to AI, helped drive stocks. Inflation data released at the end of the month, was in line with expectations, which also supported stocks. February's gains marked the fourth straight month of advances for the S&P 500, the Dow, and the Nasdaq. For the year, the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 have risen about 7.0%, while the small caps of the Russell 2000 recouped losses from January.
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and various tax deduction, exclusion, exemption, and threshold amounts. Here are a few of the key adjustments for 2024.
The year 2023 was dominated by inflation and the Federal Reserve's restrictive policy in response to it. The year began with inflation at about 6.5%, with the Fed raising interest rates despite fears of rising unemployment and an economic recession. But while the focus remained on inflation, several other events occurred during the year, including a political battle over the debt ceiling and a potential government shutdown; the collapse of several banks; labor strikes; and unrest in the Middle East.