Posts by Matt Hargreaves
2021 2nd Quarter Commentary
• The strong economic recovery drove corporate earnings growth and supported gains in stock prices. The S&P 500 finished the quarter and new all-time highs. U.S. valuations remained elevated. • In a reversal of the previous two quarters, growth stocks beat value stocks, bond yields decreased, and large cap stocks outperformed small cap stocks. •…
Read MoreNaming Your Beneficiaries: Avoid Common Mistakes
We get a lot of questions from clients on naming beneficiaries to their accounts. While the paperwork is relatively straightforward, it is important to pay attention to a few key areas to avoid some common mistakes. We’ve outlined a few key areas keep in mind when naming a beneficiary Updating your will is not enough…
Read MoreShould You Invest in Cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrency Background Before reading, our compliance team wanted me to emphasize that I am not an expert in cryptocurrencies and that nothing in here should be taken as investment advice. This is meant to be educational. Please do your own due diligence before investing. In broad terms, cryptocurrencies are a new type of asset that…
Read MoreWhat is ESG Investing?
Investors are increasingly aware of how certain business practices may potentially affect the environment and how that may impact future generations. As citizens, individuals can express their political preferences around sustainability through the ballot box. As investors, they also can express their preferences through their investments by allocating capital to companies that better align with…
Read MoreMarket Summary & Portfolio Changes
Market Summary Momentum from the second half of 2020 continued into 2021 as the new year mainly brought good news regarding returning to a more normal economic environment. An uptick in vaccine supply and distribution, an additional $1.9 trillion stimulus package, and continued monetary policy support improved the economic backdrop and boosted stock prices. Stocks…
Read MoreEconomic Analysis & A Note on Inflation
Economic Analysis As was the case in 2020, the pandemic’s course should dictate the course of the economic expansion in 2021. As vaccines continue to be administered, it seems likely that the economy will re-open and continue its recovery. This, along with massive stimulus, could propel the economy to growth not seen in decades. An…
Read MoreMarket Analysis
Market Analysis March marked the first anniversary of the bottom of the COVID bear market for the S&P 500 Index. Despite the turbulence of the past year, investors were rewarded by sticking with stocks. No one could have predicted this, but the S&P 500 completed its greatest one-year rally post-WWII, gaining over 74% from March…
Read More2021 1st Quarter Commentary
Economic growth prospects rose largely due to expanded vaccine distribution, strong manufacturing and housing data and supportive monetary and fiscal conditions. Despite bouts of volatility, stocks reached new all-time highs in many different markets. U.S. Treasury yields rose amid mounting inflation concerns, even as current inflation remained below 2%. Portfolios remained positioned for recovery and…
Read MoreInvestment Question of the Month: Should I invest my cash now or over time?
If you have cash sitting on the sidelines, you have options to get it invested. Here are three of the most common options to get it invested: Invest it right away (lump sum) Invest it over time (dollar-cost average) Invest when the market pulls back (time the market) Each option has pros and cons, but research suggests investing it right away has…
Read More2020 4th Quarter Commentary
Market Summary A strong fourth quarter capped a wild and turbulent year. 2020 marked the largest reversal in the S&P 500’s history, rebounding over 70% from the March lows and finishing the year up over 18%. During the fourth quarter, the major indexes reached all-time highs as investors welcomed greater political clarity and positive news…
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