March 2021
As we continue to focus on your investment and financial plans, we feel your health (physical and mental), your relationships, and the importance of wellness in all areas of your lives are extremely important. As we promised, in addition to financial and investment planning, we will be introducing topics focused on your lifestyle, health, and exercise. Our mission is to help you Preserve Your Assets and Protect Your Lifestyle and we can think of no better way to fulfill this goal than by offering more than just financial planning and wealth management advice. Our hope is you enjoy our new approach and that you will discover new ideas for bettering your life in 2021 and beyond! This month we begin a 3-part town hall series on personal and professional growth with – Energize For Purpose!
Market Review- What’s Driving Yields Higher?
Summary:
The rise in yields/interest rates has primarily been driven by rising inflation expectations. More recently, expectations of better economic growth down the road have pushed up real yields and increased inflation and liquidity premiums. Bond prices have been declining as a result of rising interest rates. Our decision to include short-term bond exposure through Guggenheim Investments has helped buffer some of the price pressure from rising interest rates since shorter-term bonds are less sensitive to rising interest rates.
Despite calming words from Fed Chair Powell reiterating the Federal Reserve’s commitment to keeping interest rates low, the stock market has continued to grind lower, becoming even more oversold. As interest rates increase, bond prices decline and their yield to maturity increases causing investment capital to flow from the stock market into fixed income. A continued rise in rates could put further price pressure on the stock market.
Although the stock market may have gotten a little ahead of itself, Fed officials seem unconcerned by the recent rise in bond yields. Ned Davis’ fair value model for the 10-year Treasury is around a 2.00% yield to maturity. The current US 10 Yr yield is 1.59%, and leaves room for rates to head higher. Additionally, European inflation expectations have risen to its highest level since May 2019.
This Is Life- "Energize For Purpose"
It’s been over a year in this “new normal”. Many of you have asked for more than financial planning and investment advice. In the many conversations we have had with clients, friends, family, and other professionals, we have realized how important it is to have “balance” in our lives. It is not about adjusting to this “new normal”….. It’s about thriving and becoming even better, more productive, more optimistic and helpful to each other. We are very excited about our first town hall webinar to help you with balancing your professional and personal life.
On Wednesday, March 31st at 10:30AM we are hosting via ZOOM - Energize For Purpose. This workshop focuses on not just being present in the moment, but striving to achieve peak performance and developing the necessary energy to be fully engaged in every moment that matters, both professionally and personally. Whether you are working, retired, on vacation or spending time with friends, co-workers and/or family this workshop will help you learn to enjoy and appreciate the moment. You’ll be introduced to a plan for unlocking more and better energy reserves while staying engaged and achieving peak results - regardless of what’s happening in your life.
Our keynote speaker will be Lindsay Troxell, Director, Knowledge Labs Professional Development. Ms. Troxell is the Sr. Director of Knowledge Labs Professional Development at Janus Henderson Investors. In this role, she provides performance coaching and consulting to financial professionals and their clients. Ms. Troxell’s unapologetic commitment to being curious and challenging her clients to manage their minds is what makes her a sought-after coach and keynote speaker. Most recently she has been disrupting the industry through her ideas around a mindful and integrated approach to Wealth and Health. Lindsay leverages her experience as a certified life coach, executive management consultant, financial advisor, and NextGen leader to bring insight and intentionality to her clients.
Ms. Troxell earned a BBA degree in entrepreneurship and organizational development from Babson College. She has 14 years of experience in practice management, training, consulting, and coaching and 18 years of financial industry experience.
If you would like to register for the town hall webinar, please click here.
Times and habits have changed. Our challenge is making this “new normal” better, more positive, and more fulfilling than the Pre-COVID world that is in our past. The future looks bright and we hope these town hall meetings will contribute to your well-being emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
"Will I Get a Stimulus Check?"
By now you have likely heard about the passing of the Covid Relief Bill. What does it mean for you? Some Americans will receive stimulus checks if they qualify. We found a great article from USA Today that provides a simple breakdown.
Click here to view the article.
We are here to help and offer objective advice. If you would like to discuss any of these topics or any questions relating to financial planning and/or the markets, please click here and pick a time on our calendar.
