Please find the next blog in our monthly series that provides a review of the prior month’s market data, the state of the economy, and the global financial markets. Global Economy: A pervasive feeling that a recession is not on the immediate horizon, due to ongoing moderate growth, fueled the equity markets once again in November. Optimism surrounding a U.S-China trade accord was present throughout the month, while mixed signals across the global economy were enough to drive key benchmarks to new all-time highs. In keeping with the risk-on theme, government bond yields increased, and credit spreads extended their recent…

In honor of #GivingTuesday and the year-end giving season upon us, here are a few simple, helpful strategies. Create a plan to understand your impact Write a mission statement to focus your giving. Focus on what matters most to you by writing a few sentences about your giving goals. Use that statement to help you say no or to limit your support of causes that don’t align with those priorities. Particularly for families with children, incorporate giving into everyday life and make sure future generations know your intentions. As a family, decide on a few concrete steps you’ll take to…

This is our final blog in a series about setting up the next generation for financial success. In this piece we summarize and conclude with these 5 tips. 1. If they don’t have a written budget, encourage them to create one and stick to it. If they need to cut back on expenses, they can start by eliminating the extra “nice-to-haves” in their life. 2. Explain the importance of building an emergency fund to cover a minimum of three months of essential expenses and advise them to keep this money easily accessible, such as in a savings account. Depending on…

Global Economy: Amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, financial markets continued to climb the proverbial wall of worry in October. As prominent equity benchmarks achieved all-time highs, fixed income markets reacted to broad policy accommodation with steeper yield curves and a bias to quality. Concerns of global manufacturing weakness spilling over into services, the labor market, consumer spending, and ultimately investor sentiment remain present. That said, a better-than-feared corporate earnings season, progress toward an initial US-China trade agreement, the reduced risk of a no deal Brexit, and a somewhat weaker U.S. dollar have collectively provided “green shoots” of optimism. The…

Policy Easing Continues: Following the mid-cycle adjustment that took place in July and an insurance cut in September, the FOMC delivered its third consecutive monetary policy modification. With a vote to reduce the Fed Funds rate by another 25 bps, the targeted range now stands at 1.50% to 1.75%. As has been the case for recent meetings, this decision was well-anticipated by the market, with a >80% implied probability of further accommodation reflected in the futures market since early October. Although Federal Reserve officials had ample opportunity to redirect expectations, and there were again two more hawkish dissenters within the…