The Seesaw of Finance
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
There are parallels between concepts in finance and concepts in physics. Let's take a look.
Chart of the Month – Nov 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
How Do Treasuries Lose Money? US Treasury bonds are generally regarded as safe. Sometimes they’re referred to as “risk-free” assets. This is a bit of a misnomer.
Time to Revisit Your Cash Reserve Fund
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
Nearly four out of ten Americans lack enough money to cover an unexpected $400 expense? The statistics on this have remained consistent over the years. One of the first steps in building a strong financial foundation is creating an emergency fund. The idea is to prepare for the unexpected expenses of life.
Chart of the Month – Sept 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
The current state of the housing market has left many puzzled. In a scenario where interest rates are soaring, one would naturally anticipate a decline in housing prices. Surprisingly, this anticipated correction has yet to occur.
Does Cash Look Better Than Stocks? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
With interest rates as high as they've been in 15 years, some are asking, "Are stocks necessary, or even advisable, for investments today?" This week, Kent Kramer looks at how cash vs stocks have performed over the years and shares important lessons learned.
Chart of the Month – Aug 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
Increasing interest rates have many effects, not only on the economy, but also on stocks. Given the recent rally, we wanted to highlight that rising rates do not always mean that stocks will go down. While the stock market is not making new all-time highs just yet, the market has been resilient to a regime thought to be a drag on the markets.
Chart of the Month – July 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
The latest consumer price index report has brought some positive news regarding inflation in the United States. Several factors played a role in the moderation of inflation.
Conventional Wisdom & The Fed | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
Conventional wisdom is quoted often in news reporting about everything from the economy and markets to sports and politics. This week, Kent Kramer looks at current conventional wisdom regarding markets and the economy.
Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part One | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
With the banking industry and markets continuing to be leading topics in the news, many investors are asking, “What is going on? Is this something to be worried about? Should I be taking action?” In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Matt Abels and Michael Westphal provide context and insights to those questions. Tune in next week for part two, where we’ll be joined by Jim Plagge, President and CEO of Bank Iowa.
Chart of the Month – Sept 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
The current state of the housing market has left many puzzled. In a scenario where interest rates are soaring, one would naturally anticipate a decline in housing prices. Surprisingly, this anticipated correction has yet to occur.
Does Cash Look Better Than Stocks? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
With interest rates as high as they've been in 15 years, some are asking, "Are stocks necessary, or even advisable, for investments today?" This week, Kent Kramer looks at how cash vs stocks have performed over the years and shares important lessons learned.
Chart of the Month – Aug 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
Increasing interest rates have many effects, not only on the economy, but also on stocks. Given the recent rally, we wanted to highlight that rising rates do not always mean that stocks will go down. While the stock market is not making new all-time highs just yet, the market has been resilient to a regime thought to be a drag on the markets.
Chart of the Month – July 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
The latest consumer price index report has brought some positive news regarding inflation in the United States. Several factors played a role in the moderation of inflation.
Conventional Wisdom & The Fed | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
Conventional wisdom is quoted often in news reporting about everything from the economy and markets to sports and politics. This week, Kent Kramer looks at current conventional wisdom regarding markets and the economy.
Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part One | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
With the banking industry and markets continuing to be leading topics in the news, many investors are asking, “What is going on? Is this something to be worried about? Should I be taking action?” In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Matt Abels and Michael Westphal provide context and insights to those questions. Tune in next week for part two, where we’ll be joined by Jim Plagge, President and CEO of Bank Iowa.
2022 In Review: What Did We Learn? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
2022 was one of those years many would like to forget – but before we put it completely in the rear-view mirror, what are the lessons that we can take forward to help us in 2023?
Chart of the Month – Jan 2023
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
It's natural to sit down at the end of the year and reflect on what happened. Here is a short recap of what happened in the markets and the world in 2022.
Year-End Opportunities & Cautions | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
It's that time of year – what's left on your list for 2022? This week, Kent Kramer discusses three possible ways to save on taxes, one possible way to increase the return on your cash, and one cautionary tale as a reminder as we think about investing in 2023.
Poker Lessons. Expect to Be Surprised. | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
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.
Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?
Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Interest Rates
With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?