Affinity “Mark” et Minute – March 11, 2015
Investment Commentary – March 11, 2015 Dow – 17,662.94 (3/10/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,044.16 (3/10/15 close) Nasdaq – 4,859.79 (3/10/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.13% (3/10/15 close) February’s jobs report last Friday confirmed the strength in the U.S. labor market. New jobs numbered 295,000, well above expectations, with gains particularly evident in cyclical sectors. [...]
What are Annuity Living Benefits?
For Mark Roberts' Use: When planning for retirement, many people choose to invest in an annuity. Under a variable annuity contract, one or more payments are made to an insurance company in exchange for guaranteed income stream or lump sum payment in retirement. Only the earnings portion of an annuity is taxed as income, making [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – March 4, 2015
Investment Commentary – March 3, 2015 Dow – 18,288.63 (3/2/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,117.39 (3/3/15 close) NASDAQ – 5,008.10 (3/2/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.08% (3/2/15 close) U.S. equities were largely unchanged last week in what was a relatively quiet 5 days, although the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index continued to push toward a new [...]
These Last-Minute Tax Changes May Benefit You
For Mark Roberts' Use: After a long period of intense negotiations, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 finally passed through Congress in December. The act extended 55 tax provisions through the end of 2014. Although the future of the tax measures remains uncertain, for now we know that several of these provisions may benefit [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – February 26, 2014
Investment Commentary – February 25, 2015 Dow – 18,209.19 (2/24/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,115.48 (2/24/15 close) Nasdaq – 4,968.12 (2/24/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 1.99% (2/24/15 close) Fed Chair Janet Yellen provided Congress yesterday with an upbeat view of the labor market and said policymakers will raise interest rates when they are “reasonably confident” [...]
Will You Be Subject to the Gift Tax?
For Mark Roberts' Use: It's almost that time again – time to file your federal income taxes! As with many things in life, knowledge and preparation for tax time can help you avoid consequences you regret. If you gave any large gifts last year, or are planning to do so this year, it might help [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – February 19, 2015
Investment Commentary – February 18, 2015 Dow – 18,047.58 (2/17/15 close) (1.26% YTD) S&P 500 – 2,100.34 (2/17/15 close) (1.99% YTD) NASDAQ – 4,899.27 (2/17/15 close) (3.44% YTD) 10-year Treasury – 2.14% (2/17/15 close) (-1.38% YTD) Stocks continued to advance last week and are now ahead of bonds for the year. On a global basis, [...]
Will You Enjoy a Comfortable Retirement?
For Mark Roberts' Use: Are you confident that you will have enough money to cover basic living expenses in retirement? Seven out of ten workers aged 50 and older feel as though their retirement plan will provide enough money for basic necessities. But what about your ability to actually live comfortably in retirement? If you're [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – February 12, 2015
Investment Commentary - February 11th, 2015 Dow - 17,868.76 (2/10/15 close) S&P 500 - 2,068.59 (2/10/15 close) 10 year Treasury - 1.99% (2/10/15 close) S&P 500 volatility has remained elevated in the first 6 weeks of 2015 as investors react to uncertainty around the Fed, major oil price swings and disappointing S&P 500 earnings. Interestingly, [...]