Kevin O’Gara - Financial Advisor

Investors move away from big tech as speculation about a potential rate cut grows. Find out why in this week’s Market Commentary.

Shifting Sands: Investors Move From Big Tech Amid Rate Cut Speculation As the economy shows signs of slowing, investors move from big tech to other sectors. We explore whether a rate cut this fall could prevent a recession.

Assessing one component of your financial plan each month is a great way to keep tabs on your fiscal health.

Your Midyear Financial Checkup This checklist can help you make sure your finances are on track for the rest of the year. Here’s what to assess for the next 6 months.

Investors cheered more soft inflation data out last week. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why investors should focus on what’s driving the easing price pressures before popping the champagne.

More Progress on the Inflation Front Has Investors Cheering Soft inflation data gave investors reason to cheer. But are the markets overestimating the Fed’s willingness to cut rates?

Market performance for the second quarter may not be as strong as it appears. Here’s a timely analysis from our chief investment officer about the outsized impact a small number of businesses had on returns and where compelling opportunities still exist in a slowing economy.

Do the Markets Reflect a Widespread Suspension of Disbelief? In Northwestern Mutual’s Quarterly Market Commentary, we look at how some investors may be ignoring signs of a slowing economy.

Northwestern Mutual’s latest survey shows that Americans who work with a financial advisor have twice as much saved in their retirement plans.

Is a 401(k) a Retirement Plan? A 401(k) is important, but it’s just one piece of your retirement puzzle. Working with a financial advisor can help you complete the big picture.

Last week brought more signs of a slowing economy and a slowdown in the pace of wage growth. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how that may play into the Fed’s decision-making and what it means for the economy.

Would a September Rate Cut Be Enough for the Economy? Investors are again betting on a rate cut in the fall. We take a closer look at whether that would be enough to avoid a recession..

Compare the pictures above to see if you can spot the financial blind spots, or the differences. It may be easy for you to do, but that's not always the case in real life. For those blind spots, I'm here to not only help you see them, but also help you fill in the financial gaps. http://spr.ly/61835QIF3

The latest inflation figures show that price pressures are easing; unfortunately, so is the economy. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the Fed may feel handcuffed in making meaningful rate cuts even as the economy slows.

Inflation Reading Marks a Step in the Right Direction, but the Fed Likely Needs More Inflation appears to be heading in the right direction, but is it moving fast enough? We take a closer look for answers.

According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Consumer Financial Blind Spots survey, 87 percent of Americans say they have blind spots in their financial plans. Take our self-assessment to find out what you may be missing. Then let’s find a better way to money, together.

Do You Have a Good Financial Plan? Take our online self-assessment to evaluate your financial plan. Find out if you have blind spots and uncover opportunities for a better way to money.

Since the end of COVID, normally reliable indicators of the economy have seemingly missed the mark. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how the muddied picture may affect timing of rate cuts.

Latest Data Follows a Familiar Trend and Further Complicates the Fed’s Job Inconsistent and sometimes contradictory data is making the Fed’s job more difficult and may lead to rates staying higher for longer.

We get a lot of questions from folks who try to compare whole life insurance to other financial options. But it’s tough to make such a comparison because whole life insurance is truly unique. This piece does a great job explaining why.

How Whole Life Insurance Can Help You With Multiple Financial Goals There’s a lot more to whole life insurance than its death benefit.

Better than expected inflation data has investors once again expecting a soft landing. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the path forward may not be as smooth as many think.

Markets Jump on Latest Inflation Readings The latest inflation data added fuel to an already surging market. In this week’s Market Commentary, we look at why investors may be wise to temper their enthusiasm.

Research shows a comprehensive financial plan with Northwestern Mutual can help you feel better about your money—and life in general. Reach out to get started on yours.

Feel Better About Your Money—and Your Life Research shows a comprehensive financial plan with Northwestern Mutual can help you feel better about your money—and life in general.

Some folks are more accepting, others more cautious. See where you stack up—and how Northwestern Mutual is approaching AI.

How Americans Feel About AI and Their Money How comfortable are you when it comes to AI and your money? See how we’re thinking about AI at Northwestern Mutual.

Your opinions about the strength of the job market may come down to which employment report you read. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the discrepancies between two leading reports and weighs in on how the disconnect in reports complicates the Fed’s decision on rates.

Conflicting Jobs Data Creates Challenges for the Fed Is the job market red hot or showing signs of cooling? Last week’s employment data suggests both. In this week’s Market Commentary, we look at why getting an accurate read on the employment picture may be a challenge for the Fed.

Learn more about this tool for securing your financial future—it’s not just for the rich.

What Is a Trust? A trust lets a trustee hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary or beneficiaries. Learn what a trust is, how it works, types of trusts and how to set up a trust.

The latest data shows the disinflationary process is progressing at a snail’s pace. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the modest improvement in prices pressures is unlikely to satisfy the Federal Reserve.

Latest Inflation Data Fails to Deliver Ah-ha Moment The latest inflation data showed gradual improvement. We look at why the pace of disinflation is still a concern.

The latest economic data cast further doubt on the timing of potential rate cuts. In this week’s Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why investors may be underestimating the chance of a bumpy road ahead for the economy.

A Look at the Market’s Unyielding Belief in Immaculate Disinflation Are investors overestimating the likelihood of a soft landing? We look at challenges that remain for the economy and Federal Reserve.

You’ve spent so much time putting money into your 401(k)—but have you ever thought about what happens when it’s time to take it out?

How Does a 401(k) Work When You Retire? How does a 401(k) work when you retire? While it's an important source of retirement income, it’s just one part of your long-term strategy.

Higher interest rates appear to be taking a toll on the economy. In this week’s Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at whether the Fed can get inflation under control before the weak economy dips into a recession.

Why the Pace of Disinflation Is So Important With higher rates clearly impacting the economy, is inflation falling fast enough to allow the Fed to avoid a recession?

Independent research finds that investments alone will only take you so far. I can help you build a plan to make your money work harder.

The Secret That Could Help Your Savings Go Further in Retirement Life insurance in a retirement plan? According to a recent analysis from professional services company EY, an integrated approach to long-term financial planning can produce a better outcome in retirement.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why faltering consumer sentiment could pose another challenge to the economy.

How Main Street Sentiment Could be a Challenge for the Economy How does the latest tumble in consumer optimism fit into the economic picture? Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.