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Q1 Wrap Up: Ukraine, Inflation, Interest Rates | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
04/11/2022
The first quarter of 2022 is in the books and once again, surprising events dominated the news. Russia invading Ukraine and the continued climb in inflation were the focus of attention and for good reason. In this week's Financial Perspectives, we'll take a look at what is happening in markets and the global economy and what investors may want to know.

Is the Stock Market a Glass Half Full?

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
02/08/2022

The month of January was marked by negative returns for global stock markets. But, as the well-worn phrase, “Is your glass half full or half empty?” implies, our view of, or the way we feel about the state of markets as investors, may be more related to our personal dispositions than what the numbers indicate.

Meta Does Not Equal Value | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
02/07/2022
The headlines last week included “Faceplant”, and “Metaflop” following Meta’s disappointing earnings and new users numbers. As interesting as the metaverse may be, it turns out investors still want real world results when it comes to their investments.

Happy New Year? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
01/25/2022
Market returns for the first three weeks of 2022 have not been full of happy reports. US stocks, especially some of the biggest names and winners of 2020 and 2021 have fallen into what is called “correction” territory. Is inflation and the concern with rising interest rates the whole story?

Do I Have Portfolio Exposure to China?

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks » Foreign
By Ryan Lamoureux
11/10/2021

In recent weeks, China has been a part of US financial headlines for a number of reasons. At Foster Group, we believe in globally diversified model portfolios. We invest our equity portfolios across domestic markets, international markets, and emerging markets. Our models have equity exposure to over 51 countries.

November 8, 2021 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
11/08/2021
You know the old saying, “What goes up must come down.” How is it that currently everything seems to be going up at the same time? Signs of inflation like oil prices, labor prices, trade deficits. And yet markets are going up with stocks at all-time highs. Bond prices are rising this week when often, bond prices move inversely to stock prices. Government spending is certainly going up, consumer spending is going up and tax rates seem to be poised to rise as well. What do all these upwards mean for investors?

What a Difference a Year Makes

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Ross Polking
03/31/2021

On March 23, 2020, the S&P 500 tumbled another 3%, culminating a near 34% drop over that same month. The Dow Jones hovered around 19,000. Gains from the past few years were gone. 

Do Small Company Stocks Like New Presidents?

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
02/22/2021

In the three months since Joe Biden was elected President of the United States, small company stocks have risen more than 30%. Four years ago, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States and small company stocks went up almost 20% in the twenty-six days surrounding the election, from November 3rd to December 9th. Do small company stock investors just like new Presidents?

While You Were Sleeping

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Ryne Oller
01/26/2021

Imagine that you fell asleep at the beginning of the year and woke up at the end of 2020. When you wake up, there are some things that would immediately feel different. 

January 25, 2021 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
01/25/2021
Four years ago, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States and small company stocks went up over 20% in three months post-election. In the three months since Joe Biden was elected President of the United States, small company stocks are up over 30%. Do small company stock investors just like new Presidents?

November 23, 2020 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
11/23/2020
1:13 - In the News: COVID-19 Cases, Employment Recovery
2:36 – Elections through Inaugurations
3:15 – Equity Factors: Comparison of Various Stock Indexes
5:24 – Expectations: Thinking Back to March 23, 2020

May 29, 2020 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks
By Kent Kramer
05/29/2020
0:55 - This Week's News
2:39 - This Week's Financial Highlights
4:36 - Why Is the Stock Market Up When the Economy Is Down?
5:12 - Stock Prices Are Forward Looking
8:06 - Average Returns After Downturns Have Been Positive