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What’s Up with US Oil Prices?
For Mark Roberts' Use: You may have heard that oil prices have dropped in recent months. But what happened to cause prices to plummet? One causal factor was the amount of crude oil produced by the [...]
Is the Economy Improving?
For Mark Roberts' Use: It has been six years since the official end of the Great Recession. And yet, many of us are still wondering when we'll see a true, dramatic improvement in the economy. Good [...]
Do You Need to File an Income Tax Extension?
For Mark Roberts' Use: As you probably know, the deadline for filing your federal income tax return is April 15. But perhaps you don't have time to gather all of your supporting documentation. Or maybe [...]
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
For Mark Roberts' Use: Identity theft is a growing problem for consumers. As soon as law enforcement officials begin to figure out criminal methods, thieves move on to newer, more sophisticated tactics. This is particularly [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – May 14, 2015
Investment Commentary – May 13, 2015 Dow – 18,060.49 (5/13/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,098.48 (5/13/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 2.28% (5/13/15 close) Last week demonstrated how equities and bonds have been mired in a [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – May 7, 2015
Investment Commentary – May 6, 2015 Dow – 17,841.98 (5/6/15 close) (+0.11% YTD) S&P 500 – 2,080.15 (5/6/15 close) (+1.02% YTD) 10 year Treasury – 2.24% (5/6/15 close) (+3.23% YTD) A combination of higher interest [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – April 30, 2015
Investment Commentary – April 29th, 2015 Dow – 18,035.53 (4/29/15 close) (+1.20% YTD) S&P 500 – 2,106.85 (4/29/15 close) (+2.33% YTD) 10-year Treasury – 2.04% (4/29/15 close) (-5.99% YTD) The Federal Reserve lowered its economic [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – April 23, 2015
Investment Commentary – April 20, 2015 Dow – 17,826.30 (4/17/15 close) (+0.02% YTD) S&P 500 – 2,081.18 (4/17/15 close)(+1.07% YTD) 10-year Treasury – 1.85% (4/17/15 close) (-14.75% YTD) Stocks struggled last week amid more evidence [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – April 16, 2015
Investment Commentary – April 15, 2015 (Tax day) Dow – 18,036.70 (4/14/15 close) S&P 500 – 2,095.84 (4/14/15 close) NASDAQ -4,977.29 (4/14/15 close) 10-year Treasury – 1.90% (4/14/15 close) S&P 500 1st quarter earnings season [...]
Affinity “Mark” et Minute – April 9, 2015
Investment Commentary – April 8, 2015 Dow – 17,875.42 (4/7/15 close) (+0.29% YTD) S&P 500 – 2,076.33 (4/7/15 close) (+0.83% YTD) 10-year Treasury – 1.89% (4/7/15 close) (-12.9% YTD) The March jobs report last Friday [...]