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Planning for Inflation: What You Can, and Can’t, Control | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Foster Group
05/17/2026

In retirement planning, some variables you can control, and others you can’t. Inflation is often an overlooked variable. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and advisor Ben Berger walk through the "retirement equation" and use Monte Carlo modeling to stress-test a hypothetical plan against a 5% inflation shock. Ben also shares examples of adjustments that can help keep purchasing power on track.

A Conversation with Award-Winning Portfolio Manager Mary Ellen Stanek | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Kent Kramer
04/08/2024

In this week's special edition of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer has a conversation with 2022 Morningstar Outstanding Portfolio Manager award winner, Mary Ellen Stanek, who is managing director and co-chief investment officer of Baird. In this conversation, Kent and Mary Ellen cover everything from market history and trends to surprising interviews.

Fitch Downgrade: A Closer Look | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Matt Moklestad
08/07/2023

Fitch downgraded US government debt from its pristine AAA rating to one notch lower at AA+. While this news may raise some eyebrows, it is essential to keep it in perspective. This week, Matt Moklestad and Michael Westphal have a conversation about its implications and the necessity of diversification.

Debt Ceiling Politics & Markets | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Kent Kramer
05/08/2023

Politics are always in the news. Right now, we're hearing a lot about the debt ceiling and the need to increase the US debt ceiling so the government can pay their bills ... or maybe not. This week, Kent Kramer provides an overview of debt ceiling history and what we are seeing today.

Poker Lessons. Expect to Be Surprised. | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Kent Kramer
11/07/2022
Poker is great training ground for evaluating circumstances where you may have enough information to know the odds of success or failure, but not enough information to guarantee the outcome -- a lot like investing. This week, Kent Kramer looks at how understanding odds and probability can help make sense of elections and investment markets.

Planning for Inflation: What You Can, and Can’t, Control | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Foster Group
05/17/2026

In retirement planning, some variables you can control, and others you can’t. Inflation is often an overlooked variable. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and advisor Ben Berger walk through the "retirement equation" and use Monte Carlo modeling to stress-test a hypothetical plan against a 5% inflation shock. Ben also shares examples of adjustments that can help keep purchasing power on track.

A Conversation with Award-Winning Portfolio Manager Mary Ellen Stanek | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Kent Kramer
04/08/2024

In this week's special edition of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer has a conversation with 2022 Morningstar Outstanding Portfolio Manager award winner, Mary Ellen Stanek, who is managing director and co-chief investment officer of Baird. In this conversation, Kent and Mary Ellen cover everything from market history and trends to surprising interviews.

Fitch Downgrade: A Closer Look | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Matt Moklestad
08/07/2023

Fitch downgraded US government debt from its pristine AAA rating to one notch lower at AA+. While this news may raise some eyebrows, it is essential to keep it in perspective. This week, Matt Moklestad and Michael Westphal have a conversation about its implications and the necessity of diversification.

Debt Ceiling Politics & Markets | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Kent Kramer
05/08/2023

Politics are always in the news. Right now, we're hearing a lot about the debt ceiling and the need to increase the US debt ceiling so the government can pay their bills ... or maybe not. This week, Kent Kramer provides an overview of debt ceiling history and what we are seeing today.

Poker Lessons. Expect to Be Surprised. | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Economics
By Kent Kramer
11/07/2022
Poker is great training ground for evaluating circumstances where you may have enough information to know the odds of success or failure, but not enough information to guarantee the outcome -- a lot like investing. This week, Kent Kramer looks at how understanding odds and probability can help make sense of elections and investment markets.