Investing

Series I bonds and EE bonds are popular U.S. savings bonds that offer a safe way to save. Choosing between the two can be difficult. The best place to start is to gain an understanding of the terms of each bond and then compare the benefits and drawbacks of each.  Both bonds are solid investments… Continue reading I Bonds vs EE Bonds

It was a slow start for stocks Thursday as the possibility of a government shutdown kept investors on tenterhooks. However, the main benchmarks turned higher mid-morning as Treasury yields eased, and continued climbing into the close.    While concern that the U.S. government is on the brink of a shutdown initially pressured investor sentiment Thursday,… Continue reading Stock Market Today: Stocks Rise as Treasury Yields Retreat

Stocks rebounded to close mixed Tuesday but not before market participants spent the majority of the session continuing to fret about higher for longer interest rates, rising bond yields, a spike in prices for crude oil and the reality that the federal government is hurtling toward its first shutdown since 2019.  A stronger-than-expected reading on… Continue reading Stock Market Today: Stocks Waver as Government Shutdown Looms

Federal government shutdowns aren’t necessarily all that bearish for stocks, at least historically speaking. Although the market hates the threat of a federal government shutdown – an outcome that looks increasingly likely beginning October 1 – the S&P 500’s performance during actual shutdowns has been pretty good.  If our current go-round with a shutdown seems… Continue reading What Does a Government Shutdown Mean for Stocks?

Talk of a bull market may be exciting, but you may want to temper that a bit. Here’s why: Even if the market’s overall value soars, that doesn’t necessarily mean your investments will make money. Take as one example the early part of 2023, when the S&P 500 index rose 20% over the previous year.… Continue reading Focusing Too Much on a Bull Market Could Lead You Astray

The September selloff resumed Tuesday with stocks closing lower across the board. In addition to rising Treasury yields, sentiment took a hit after the latest batch of economic data came in worse than expected and as a looming government shutdown sparks concern over another potential U.S credit downgrade.   Earlier today, The Conference Board said… Continue reading Stock Market Today: Stocks Sink as Consumer Confidence Drops, Shutdown Looms

Mutual funds were created to give the individual investor a broad-range, diversified portfolio. Is that true? The vast majority of today’s retirees and pre-retirees own mutual funds. Chances are good that you may not be getting the diversification you expected. Though mutual funds can offer access to a wide range of investments, it’s easier than… Continue reading Mutual Funds Reality Check: Are You Really Diversified?

With all due respect to Charles Dickens, the oil and gas sector is increasingly a tale of two markets. Depending on where you focus, it is the best of times, and it is the worst of times. For the past few years, professionals in the oil and gas industry have expressed their dissatisfaction with the… Continue reading Why Now Could Be a Good Time to Invest in Oil and Gas