Estate planning is critical to protecting your legacy, no matter your age or wealth. Effective estate planning can help you to avoid unnecessary taxes and legal tie-ups and enable property and money to be distributed according to your wishes. Listen to Jill’s podcast with Attorney Heidi McAra for more information. Our podcasts will cover topics that …
The Secure Act 2.0 & Proposed Changes
The Secure Act 2.0 (HR 2954 Securing a Strong Retirement) has passed in the House and is currently up for discussion in the Senate’s Committee on Finance. If it becomes law, what will it mean for small business owners? The Secure Act 2.0 could spell changes for employers, with changes how 401Ks are administered for full …
1st Quarter Capital Market Review
Volatility returned in the first quarter of 2022 after a historically calm 2021 amid war, rising inflation, oil prices and higher bond yields. The markets started the year with a downturn in January and ultimately suffered their first correction in nearly two years. The S&P 500 was down at one point about 12% from its …
The Latest Cryptocurrency Executive Order (EO)
This blog assumes you know what cryptocurrency is. The Biden Cryptocurrency EO serves as a high-level homework assignment to the other branches of government. Basically, it highlighted what’s been happening in this area in the past few years: Digital assets are skyrocketing in terms of market cap (going from $14 Billion in 2016 to $3 …
1st Quarter 2022 SWMG Newsletter
We have had a much different market experience in 2022 compared to last year. Through the end of the first quarter, the S&P 500 is down 4.6% after ending 2021 near all-time highs. The COVID situation has improved but the markets have been on edge due to the devastation in Ukraine. Also, the markets have …
Young Women are Investing Earlier
Women are making money moves where it counts. According to a recent study from Fidelity, young women are beginning to invest almost a decade sooner than those from previous generations, and are investing their excess savings outside of just retirement accounts. The average age for a woman to open her first brokerage account is now …
Investing with Perspective During Turbulent Times
With the tragic event of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the beginning of the Fed announcement of increasing interest rates for the foreseeable future, we thought it would be a good time for sharing our thoughts and hopefully bring you some useful perspective on the investment front. Our podcasts will cover topics that we …
Market Update – February 2022
Market Update: Russia Invades Ukraine The recent market volatility due to the Federal Reserve’s communication of raising interest rates due to inflation has been amplified by recent geopolitical events in the Ukraine. Markets do not like uncertainty, and volatility, while normal, is not comfortable for most investors.
2022 TOP WOMEN WEALTH ADVISORS, BY FORBES
Sherri Stephens was named to the 2022 Forbes list of America’s Top Women Advisors. The list, which recognizes female advisors from national, regional, and independent firms, was released on February 4, 2021. The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Advisors was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings …
4th Quarter Capital Market Review
Stocks had another strong year in 2021 with rising consumer demand driven by the reopening of the global economy and record corporate profits. The S&P 500 (US large cap stocks) was up 28.7% led by the energy, real estate, financials and information technology sectors (see page 14). The S&P was up about 11% in the …