Becoming a Woman of Influence
Category: Foster Group
Being a Counterintuitive Investor – Do Stock Markets Follow GDP?
It turns out GDP growth rates and stock market performance are not highly correlated in the way we would expect.
Beyond Traditional Investments
Category: Investing » Alternative Investments
Are alternative investments right for you? Matt Moklestad shares some things to consider when looking into this asset class.
Beyond Traditional Investments Video
Category: Investing » Alternative Investments
Are alternative investments right for you? Matt Moklestad shares some things to consider when looking into this asset class.
Biases
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Blind Spots
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part One | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
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.
Breaking Down the Banking Headlines: Part Two | 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 Jim Plagge, President & CEO of Bank Iowa, provide context and insights to those questions.
Chart of the Month – Feb 2023
Category: Investing » Diversification
Recently, a client asked me about sectors. What are they? And how do they fit into a portfolio?
Chart of the Month – February
If you’ve noticed healthcare costs changing, you’re not alone. This post takes a look at premium growth vs. inflation since 1999.
Chart of the Month – February 2025
2024 was another great year for the U.S. stock market, with the S&P 500 index returning 25%. Now that the year is over, we can analyze the winners and losers of 2024. Let's take a look.
Chart of the Month – Jan 2023
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 – January 2025
Market conditions are usually not a good reason to change your portfolio. Instead of trying to position your portfolio based on where you think interest rates and inflation will be, talk to your advisor about how your portfolio will support your overall plan.
Chart of the Month – January 2026
Not every investment theme plays out the same way. Michael, shares why a mix of companies and strategies may help manage concentration risk.
Chart of the Month – July 2022
Sooner or later, we're likely going to see demand cool off. The big question is how quickly inflation alters consumer spending and how quickly that pulls back inflation.
Chart of the Month – July 2023
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.
Chart of the Month – July 2024
Category: Investing » Asset Allocation
International Stocks – Are they necessary?
Chart of the Month – July 2025
Wealth doesn’t just grow—it’s built over time, shaped by good habits, smart choices, and life’s ups and downs. In this blog, we take a closer look at the generations of wealth and why intentional estate planning matters now more than ever.