Economic Commentary – October 6, 2025
The US Government Shutdown continues, swamping most of the other economic storylines. However, the ADP employment report from last week, showing 32,000 jobs lost in September (excluding any federal employment job losses, which are not counted by ADP), continues to reverberate. Whether a result of undeniable negative signals coming from job markets or of elected officials […]
Economic Commentary – September 29 2025
It will be quite some time before the most significant effects of a less restrictive monetary policy become apparent. New home sales, for example, have already picked up as lower mortgage rates have combined with builder incentives to lower purchase prices, yet the far-larger market for existing home sales remains constrained by high price points. Car […]
Investment Commentary – September 29, 2025
Executive Summary The economy appears to remain resilient, and the Fed is cutting rates in the middle of an economy that is slowing but still expanding. Historically, such conditions have been bullish for risk assets. According to Franklin Templeton, in the last 50 years, there have been eight instances where the Fed resumed cutting interest […]
Home Energy Tax Credits Are Expiring: Act Before the OBBBA Deadline
A Window of Opportunity: Home Energy Tax Credits Are Expiring Soon The end of the year is fast approaching, and with it, a significant opportunity for homeowners is set to expire. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has accelerated the termination of several federal home-energy tax credits, meaning that 2025 is the last chance for […]
Fed Cuts Rates: How to Strategically Manage Debt in a Falling Rate Environment
The Fed Cut Rates. What About Your Debt? The Federal Reserve has recently lowered its benchmark interest rate and hinted at two more reductions this year. This pivotal move carries implications that will influence the economy and, more specifically, your personal finances. One critical area to review now is the liabilities section of your balance […]
Investment Commentary – September 22, 2025
Executive Summary The Fed cut interest rates as expected by 0.25% to 4.25%. The market response was bullish for riskier assets but did not do much for bonds. The bond market was pricing in 3 cuts before year-end, prior to the meeting, and three after, then into next year, the bond market is pricing in […]
Economic Commentary – September 22 2025
Amid the focus last week on the FOMC meeting and the interest rate decision, the threat of a government shutdown wasn’t a dominant issue; there is only so much conflict one can handle at one time. However, the looming deadline for funding the federal government after the current fiscal year ends on September 30 is now […]
How Fed Rate Cuts Could Raise Your Property and Casualty Insurance Premiums
Lower Rates Likely Raise Your Insurance Premiums It is very possible that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates this week, and this could potentially affect the premiums you pay for your property and casualty (P&C) insurance. The relationship between interest rates and insurance premiums isn’t immediately obvious, but it’s a fundamental part of the […]
Economic Commentary – September 15, 2025
The burning question this week is NOT “What Will the Federal Reserve Do?” It is the question of how bad the US labor market really is, and it is a question that will not be answered. But it will be much discussed, especially on Wednesday, during Federal Reserve Chairman Powell’s press conference following the Federal Open […]
Economic Commentary – September 8, 2025
The data being released in the next few days should cause a certain amount of acid reflux, both in global financial markets and in Washington, D.C. One statistic that seldom generates much attention outside of economic circles is the annual benchmark revision (think of it as a “true-up” with all the now-available data) in US […]
Investment Commentary – September 8, 2025
Executive Summary Financial markets have weathered months of policy-driven volatility, and after a nearly 20% decline, the S&P 500 has regained all its losses and set numerous all-time highs. What remains is a sharply higher effective tariff rate and uncertainty about the impact of 2026 corporate earnings, consumer demand, and economic growth. While easing tensions […]
What Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Can Teach You About Couples and Financial Planning
A Love Story and a Financial Roadmap When you see a couple like Taylor and Travis in the news, it’s easy to get lost in the romance. The glitz, the glamour, the record-breaking stadium tours, and the Super Bowl wins—it’s all part of the modern fairy tale. But for a moment, let’s pull back the […]