For Mark Roberts' Use: Most workers expect to retire at age 65 or later, but in reality things do not always work out this way. In fact, 7 out of 10 current retirees stopped working before reaching age 65. Sometimes this is due to personal preference, but often an unexpected illness or disability forces an [...]
Investment Commentary – September 10, 2014 Dow – 17,068.71 (9/10/14 close) S&P 500 – 1995.69 (9/10/14) 10-year Treasury – 2.53% (9/10/14) In August, the U.S. economy created 142,000 net new jobs, well below what economists and analysts expected and the weakest number this year. However, analysts believe the modest report was mostly a reflection of [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: For the fourth consecutive month, the May jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) demonstrated the addition of over 200,000 new jobs. Total non-farm employment has reached 138.46 million, which surpasses the record set in January 2008 as the recession began. So does this mean the lost jobs are [...]
Investment Commentary – September 3, 2014 Dow – 17,078.28 (9/3/14 close) S&P 500 – 2,000.72 (9/3/14) 10-year Treasury – 2.41% (9/3/14 close) · Stocks advanced last week, leaving equities significantly higher in August. · Analysts think stocks can trend higher as we enter the fall but with more volatility. · Still, a strengthening economy, low [...]
Investment Commentary – August 26, 2014 Dow -17,076.87 (8/25/14) S&P 500 – 1,997.92 (8/25/14 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.39% (8/25/14) · The S&P 500 set its 28th record close of the year last Thursday, building on a powerful bull run that began more than 5 years ago. · The stock market continues to wrestle with [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: If you're saving for retirement, chances good that you're focusing on meeting a particular savings goal before you can quit working. This dollar amount is probably based upon your expected living expenses, and the income you expect to receive by taking regular withdrawals from your retirement fund. But there's another important factor [...]
Investment Commentary – August 19, 2014 Dow – 16,838.74 (8/18/14 close) S&P 500 – 1,971.74 (8/18/14 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.39% (8/18/14 close) U.S. housing starts and building permits rebounded strongly in July, suggesting the housing market recovery was back on track after stalling in the 2nd half of last year. Groundbreaking surged 15.7% to [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Becoming a millionaire has long been part of the American dream, but many Americans feel that such a goal is out of their reach. Others simply assume it is inevitable, because they earn high incomes, but fail to plan appropriately and therefore never reach the goal. Either way, accumulating a million [...]
Investment Commentary – August 13, 2014 Dow – 16,560.54 (8/12/14 close) (-0.09% YTD) S&P 500 – 1,933.75 (8/12/14 close) (+4.65% YTD) 10-year Treasury – 2.44% (8/12/14 close) (-19.47%) Stocks sold off last week, then rallied last Friday to notch nominal gains for the week. On the positive side, stocks continue to benefit from strong U.S. [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: If you've been contributing to your employer-sponsored retirement plan, then congratulations! You're making smart decisions about your future, and you're well on your way to a more comfortable retirement. At some point, though, you may change jobs. Whether you're forced to do so due to company downsizing, or choose to go [...]