Wealth Planning Commentary – June 2, 2025
Recent Trends in Social Security Claims According to the New York Times, early claims for Social Security benefits have increased by 13% since the beginning of the year. This rise is notable, especially considering the Social Security Trust Fund’s projected depletion timeline remains unchanged. The current surge in early claims appears to stem from heightened […]
Investment Commentary – June 2, 2025
Executive Summary For the month of May, the S&P 500 returned over 6%, its best monthly performance since November 2023. Financial markets have weathered two months of policy-driven volatility, only to end up roughly where they started. After a nearly 20% decline from late February to early April, the S&P 500 has regained most of […]
May 2025 Recap
The Economy The U.S. economy in May 2025 remained in a transition period, marked by slowing growth, persistent inflation concerns, and a cautious Federal Reserve navigating new trade policies. Real GDP contracted by 0.3% annualized in Q1 2025, mainly due to a surge in imports, while the Federal Reserve maintained its federal funds rate at 4.25%-4.50%, […]
Economic Commentary – June 2, 2025
Amidst all the confusion as to which US tariffs are in place, which are in deferment and which have never come into being — not to mention which retaliatory actions by US trading partners are in effect, or threatened—- it is not entirely surprising that inflation has not been the big story that was anticipated. […]
Investment Commentary – May 27, 2025
Executive Summary Equities, bonds and the dollar all retreated last week amid renewed focus on the U.S. budget deficit and rising debt. Fresh tariff threats were also a reminder that trade developments remain, as evidenced by the equity markets’ decline and recovery in response to the threat and “kick the can” headlines related to European […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – May 27, 2025
House Passes Major Tax Bill – Key Provisions to Watch Last week, the House of Representatives passed a significant tax bill, which now heads to the Senate for approval. As this bill navigates the legislative process, remember that its provisions can change before it becomes law. Here’s what you should know about the key proposals […]
Five Charts (and a Bonus) for the Week That Was: May 23, 2025
Chief Economist Jeanette Garretty provides 5 (and a bonus) economic charts covering topics including federal debt, the bond market, long-term treasury yields, household debt, and US labor markets.
Navigating the Markets and Building Wealth Webinar
May 21, 2025 – Managing Director Shawn Wallace hosts Managing Directors Derek Scarth and Josh Freedman and Head of Wealth Planning Mallon FitzPatrick to discuss the markets as well as provide wealth planning tips to help secure your financial future.
Market Note: Mixed Signals Amid Policy Uncertainty
May 21, 2025 – There are good reasons to be confused about the current state of the U.S. economy. These past weeks have seen a slew of economic data telling very different stories. Simultaneously, the pace of change in the markets has only been surpassed by the speed of developments in government policy, leaving many […]
Five Charts For The Week That Was: May 9, 2025
Chief Economist Jeanette Garretty provides 5 economic charts covering topics including US Jobs Numbers, container freight rates, US Dollar, and US Exports to China.
FOMC Commentary – May 7, 2025
No surprises in the official announcement: The Fed leaves interest rates unchanged and stands ready to respond if economic conditions demand, which they do not yet. With employment growth still strong and inflation trends calm enough to claim a continued movement towards the all-important 2% target, there was no reason for the Federal Open Market Committee […]
April Recap: Rising Policy Uncertainty Leads to Increased Market Volatility
Monthly Market Summary Markets Rebound from an Early-Month Selloff as Trade Tensions Ease Stocks declined in early April after the White House unveiled sweeping tariffs, with the S&P 500 falling over -10% in the first week. However, after the administration paused tariffs and trade tensions eased, the S&P 500 rebounded to finish the month with […]