These numbers don’t always represent the full picture. Provided by Marc Aarons  The holiday season is often a quiet, positive time for the financial markets. The phrase “Santa Claus Rally” was coined in the early 1970s to reflect the stock market’s upward bias during the November-January stretch.1 But this year, the markets might face some […]

In this Q3 recap: U.S. economic growth slows in the face of Delta variant headwind. Europe’s economic outlook remains positive. Stocks retreat from record highs; confront a bevy of challenges. A review of Q3 2021, Presented by Marc Aarons THE QUARTER IN BRIEF Overcoming rising Delta variant infections, a slowing economic expansion, and growing inflation […]

In this Q2 recap: U.S. economic growth strong as reopening widens. Europe’s recovery picks up steam; Stocks reach new record highs, face new interest rate and inflation landscape. A review of Q2 2021, Presented by Marc Aarons THE QUARTER IN BRIEF The second quarter began by building on the first-quarter’s gains, with stretches of sideways […]

Several women-dominated industries were hit hardest by the pandemic.  Provided by Marc Aarons  Since the 1980s, unemployment rates have trended higher amongst men than women during a recession. In previous periods of economic downturn, this made sense. Male-dominated industries, like construction and finance, were typically some of the most impacted by a recession.1 But with […]

What the latest round of funding may mean for you. Provided by Marc Aarons After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and employees. Here’s a quick recap of five […]

  A review of Q4 2020, Presented by Marc Aarons In this Q4 recap: the appearance of two COVID-19 vaccines gives businesses and consumers hope and lifts stocks; U.S. lawmakers approve a second financial stimulus; European negotiators sign off on a post-Brexit trade deal. THE QUARTER IN BRIEF On Wall Street, the fourth quarter’s biggest […]

How will the self-employed strategize for retirement? Provided by Marc Aarons As Wall Street pushes higher, a pandemic-weary Main Street is relearning how to manage cash flow with the hope of keeping its retirement dreams alive. Self-employed Americans, and the people working for them, account for roughly 30 percent of the nation’s workforce.1 In the […]

In this Q3 recap: stocks post further 2020 gains as the economy bounces back and the Federal Reserve announces a shift in its approach to inflation. A review of Q3 2020, Presented by Marc Aarons THE QUARTER IN BRIEF The summer brought an economic rebound and a continuation of the stock market rally that began […]

Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Marc Aarons A U.S. drug company recently said that it’s in late-stage trials for its coronavirus vaccine and reported that it could be given to Americans as early as the end of the year.1 Great news. But it seems like every few days there’s a new update […]

What you should know about the change. Provided by Marc Aarons The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the most widely followed stock market indices, has made some key changes to its starting lineup. Salesforce.com, Amgen Inc., and Honeywell International Inc. have replaced Exxon Mobil Corp., Pfizer Inc., and Raytheon Technologies Corp. The change […]