Investor uncertainty and questions about a shutdown

Peek of the Week - Weekly Market Commentary for October 23, 2023. We share a recap of all the uncertainty cycling through the markets. According to a survey released by Investopedia last month, investors are currently most concerned about: inflation, the upcoming election, a recession, interest rates, U.S. tension with China, the war in Ukraine, the war in Israel, the U.S. credit rating and climate disasters. The ability to stay calm and consider the big picture becomes extremely important in the midst of uncertainty. We take a deeper look at the history of stock market performance and compare it to the tumultuous challenges of our current day.

An unwelcome surprise

Lifestyle, Peek of the Week, Money, Stock marketLeif HagenAugust 7, 2023Achievement Financial#investor, #investing, #stockmarket, #stocks, #bonds, #government, #portfolio

Rebalancing of portfolio allocations

Investment, Lifestyle, Stock marketLeif HagenJune 20, 2023Achievement Financial#rebalance, #portfolio, #stockportfolio, #stockmarket, #trading, #trade, #investor, #investors, #investing

Innovation, inflation and artificial intelligence

Lifestyle, Investment, World Events, Peek of the WeekLeif HagenMay 30, 2023Achievement Financial#inflation, #funds, #funding, #debt, #nationaldebt, #default, #money, #investor, #investing

Investors feel a shift after third quarter volatility

The third quarter brought some unusual phenomenon when it comes to investing: simultaneous decline of stock and bond markets. Our new Peek of the Week talks about why investors are currently focused on global instability, rising prices and central bank's efforts to tame inflation. With so many concerns happening at once, aggressive central bank tightening has caused investors to reassess their expectations. If you're tempted to sell, think carefully.

Tax breaks, rebates, and a pause in the stock market rally

Many investors who sold shares during the first half of the year are buying again. The current debate for investors and investment professional happens to be, "is the stock market in a bear market rally or a new bull market?" Today's Peek of the Week discusses whether or not it's possible to truly distinguish bull markets from bear markets. As the stock market rally paused, fuel was added to this debate.

Rates are rising for consumers and investors

Be careful what you ask for…you just might get it! Today's Peek of the Week explains the recent increase in Treasury rates, the drop in demand for home loans and how the cost of carrying credit card debt has increased. It was early March when almost two-thirds of Americans said the Federal Reserve should be more aggressive when it comes to inflation. Well, Americans got what they asked for! When rates rise, borrowing money becomes more expensive, demand gets reduced and prices go even higher.

Market corrections... and the great college debate!

Today's Peek of the Week is full of questions. Investors wonder what will happen with the current geopolitical tensions, if the Federal Reserve will tame inflation and how the market correction is being received. Major U.S. stock indices moved lower last week and came even closer to correction territory. A stock market correction occurs when assets, indexes or markets decline by 10 to 20 percent and although they feel unpleasant, they aren't unusual. In addition, here have been all kinds of debates about college and its importance. Questions such as: is college a good investment? Which college majors are worth the cost? And, should employers remove college degree requirements from job listings? What do YOU think?

Signs of a strong economy while Olympians earn big

Have you ever heard the saying "a rosy view through the rearview mirror?" Economists have held back on expressing positive outlooks due to Omicron spread, and they were ultimately surprised by how things played out. Today's "Peek of the Week" details the number of #jobs that were added (rather than lost), painting a picture of a robust economic growth in the United States despite the supply chain issues and pandemic variants. We also discuss #Olympians who place in the top three and their rewards (NOT including the medals). Check it out!

The 'January Barometer' prediction and global innovation

If you aren't familiar with the 'January Barometer', today's Peek of the Week describes it like this: as goes January, so goes the year. . . As we know, people do not make perfect financial decisions and the predictive values associated with the January Barometer aren't perfect, either. So what's going on? Last week we saw U.S. stock indices move lower because of inflation, the pandemic and Federal Reserve policy. One thing is very clear: the global economy stays resilient, requiring new and innovative adaptations around the world.