Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged, Keeping Door Open for Future Hikes

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its November meeting, but kept the door open for future hikes as inflation remains high. Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed is still determining the lagged effects of its current policy and will continue to be "highly attentive to inflation risks." The Fed is also weighing the impact of its policy on financial and credit conditions, which have tightened significantly in recent months.

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Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

Winning the Long Game: Tax Planning

Tax planning is not a one-time thing. It's an ongoing process that can help you save money over the course of your life. Learn how to choose the right investment accounts, use Roth conversions and tax-loss harvesting, and plan for your estate to minimize your tax liability.

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Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

The Growing Emphasis on Attitude and Character in Hiring

In today's competitive job market, employers are increasingly prioritizing attitude and character over skills. This is because attitude and character are essential for long-term success in the workplace. Employees with a positive attitude and strong character are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, be adaptable to change, and contribute to the company's growth. When hiring, it's important to consider both skills and attitude and character to find the best candidates for your team.

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Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

Inflation Coming Down, But Remains Above Fed's Target: What Investors Need to Know

The September CPI data shows that inflation is slowing, but remains above the Fed's target. Shelter costs were the largest contributor to headline inflation in September, but this is expected to moderate in the coming months. Core inflation excluding shelter was unchanged from the previous month and up only 1.9% from a year ago. Investors should watch oil prices for insight into how the Fed will act at the December meeting.

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Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

Corporate Debt Downgrades on the Rise: What Investors Need to Know

Corporate debt downgrades are on the rise, with rating agencies adjusting their outlooks based on the expected increase in debt payments. This is having a negative impact on high-yield bonds, which have taken the brunt of downgrades and are likely to continue to do so in the coming quarters. Investors need to be aware of these risks and take steps to protect their portfolios.

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Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

Utilities are Oversold, but is the Selling Over?

The utilities sector has come under increased selling pressure as rising interest rates have made their dividend yields less appealing to investors. Higher rates also translate into higher funding and refinancing costs for the sector. While the sector is extremely oversold and retesting a secular uptrend, a trend change in interest rates will likely be required before the sector finds a bottom.

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Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

Bull Market Check-Up

The S&P 500 wrapped up the first year of the bull market yesterday with a gain of 21.6%. While this performance was historically underwhelming, it is understandable given the challenging backdrop of global tightening, surging interest rates, elevated equity valuations, sticky inflation, and imminent recession calls.

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Stephanie Vail Stephanie Vail

The Impact of Inflation on Your Financial Plan

Inflation is the rate at which prices for goods and services increase over time. It can have a significant impact on your financial plan, especially if you're saving for retirement. When inflation is high, your money buys less than it did before, meaning you need to save more to reach your financial goals.

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