Do Headlines Cause You to Take Action?
Takeaways from a smattering of the headlines across a wide range of news sources in 2022 and early 2023.
A “Real” Estate – Part One
Category: Foster Group
As a financial advisor for the past 28 years, I’ve been asked about real estate hundreds of times. Every type of real estate carries pros and cons, risks and rewards.
Chart of the Month – Sept 2023
Category: Investing
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
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
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.
Fitch Downgrade: A Closer Look | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
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.
Fitch Downgrade – A Closer Look
Category: Investing
Fitch, downgraded US government debt from its pristine AAA rating to one notch lower at AA+. The Fitch downgrade serves as a reminder of the necessity of diversification, as no investment is entirely risk-free.
Fantasy Football and Financial Planning: What is your strategy?
Making good decisions and ultimately avoiding costly mistakes can be life-changing. Note that it does not start and end with picking the best player or hot stock but rather goals and a plan.
Increasing ROI: Return of the Investor – YOU! | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing
What investor wouldn't like to have a little more return? This week, Kent Kramer breaks down the average investor return calculation and the options you may have to be better than average.
Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part One | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
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 – Mar 2023
Category: Investing
Is there conclusive evidence that one sector is better than another when it comes to returns?
Making the Most of a Bear Market
Category: Investing
If you’re a young professional, negative market returns can carry less weight than you might think. Let’s use 2022 as an example.
Chart of the Month – Feb 2023
Category: Investing
Recently, a client asked me about sectors. What are they? And how do they fit into a portfolio?
What Can You Expect in 2023? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
Category: Investing
As we head into 2023, the question we get most often is, "What's next for markets and what can we expect in our portfolios?" This week, Kent Kramer and Ryne Oller try to answer just that.
Positives About the Market
Category: Investing
2022 was a historically painful year as an investor with stock markets experiencing a bear market, and bond markets having one of their worst years ever. However, as we enter 2023, I’d like to consider the positives.
2022 In Review: What Did We Learn? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
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
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.
Chart of the Month – Dec 2022
Category: Investing
Those of you who keep up with the financial news are likely familiar with the three most quoted indices, the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the NASDAQ. Sometimes, the returns for all of them are similar, but sometimes they are not.
Year-End Opportunities & Cautions | Financial Perspectives
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.
How to Construct a Good Investment Policy Statement
Category: Investing
I wrote in a previous blog about the importance of having a well-written Investment Policy Statement (IPS). What should be in a well-written document?
Running to Retirement
Stay diversified, and stay the course. That’s good advice for both runners and investors.