SolomonWood

This Memorial Day, we reflect and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and to their families.

Wishing our clients and their families a safe and reflective Memorial Day weekend.

U.S. equity indexes came under a bit of pressure this week with the Russell 2000 down over 3% and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite finishing off around 1%. Rising bond yields and renewed geopolitical risk in the Middle East weighed on sentiment. The energy sector was a beneficiary of the geopolitical apprehension and ended the week at new all-time highs.

Growing concerns that the Fed will further delay interest rate cuts following stronger than expected economic data and cautious commentary from Fed officials weighed on the fixed income market as the benchmark Bloomberg Aggregate Index finished the week near the lowest levels of the year.

Weekly Market Performance — April 5, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of April 1, 2024, highlights market movements and economic data that shaped this week's financial landscape.

Thank you to those who joined us for our Medicare Lunch & Learn today!

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of March 25, 2024. The S&P 500 continued its advance into record-high territory over the past week and finished higher for March by about 3%. This is the fifth consecutive month of gains for the index. Historically, such persistent positive momentum is a good sign for the broader market over the next 12 months. The recent outperformance of the Russell 2000 is also another potential positive for equities and suggests leadership is getting less concentrated and beginning to broaden out. Even though some Federal Reserve (Fed) officials warned against aggressive rate cuts this year, U.S. Treasury yields dipped last week. Intermediate and long-term yields saw the biggest declines. The decline in yields helped push the Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index up for the week and added to its gains for the month.

Weekly Market Performance — March 28, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of March 25, 2024, highlights five straight months of gains for the S&P 500, a weaker yen, and lower yields.

The 10 Most Important Skills for Workers According to the World Economic Forum

These are the top 10 most in-demand job skills right now, according to the World Economic Forum As jobs are going through a transformational time, the World Economic Forum lays out the top 10 most important skills for workers, and how they'll shift.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of March 18, 2024. It was a strong week for U.S. equity markets as the S&P 500 eclipsed new all-time highs for the 20th time this year following a fairly upbeat Federal Reserve (Fed) assessment on Wednesday. The FOMC statement and the press conference that followed were an indication to the markets that the Fed remains on track to deliver three rate cuts this year and alleviated some concerns that policy would need to deviate from its intended path after the recent uptick in headline inflation. Bond markets were a bit more skeptical of the policy outlook, however, as yields across the curve were only modestly lower on the week despite the Fed’s reassurance of lower rates.

Weekly Market Performance — March 22, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of March 18, 2024, highlights rate hikes and an accommodative Fed that powers the equity market to new record highs.

How to Improve your Relationship with Money

How to control the unconscious attitudes influencing your money habits You can build a healthier relationship with money by hacking the subconscious attitudes that drive your decisions.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of March 11, 2024. It was a mixed week for the broader equity markets. Overall, the trend remains positive with most major indexes hovering just below all-time highs. The second month in a row of bothersome headline inflation data saw bond yields move higher as the timing and scope of this year’s anticipated rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (Fed) come further into question. The uptick in inflation was a positive for commodities and related equities. Notably, the Energy Select Sector Index approached its highest level in five months and sharply outperformed the broader market.

Weekly Market Performance — March 15, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of March 11, 2024, highlights a new S&P 500 record close, earnings growth, and the energy sector outperforming.

Have you RSVPed for our upcoming Lunch & Learn? We'll be discussing the specifics of Medicare and how they apply to you.

Don't miss on this informative workshop!

We love to see this trend... Happy Women's History Month!

This , CFP Board celebrates the increasing presence of women CFP® professionals in financial planning. Explore our ongoing Women’s Initiative (WIN) to increase the number of women entering the financial planning profession, including the number of women CFP® professionals. https://www.cfp.net/initiatives/diversity-and-inclusion/womens-initiatives

This past Thursday we hosted clients in the Chattanooga office for our first educational workshop and dinner of the year. We discussed financial planning ideas for multi-generational families as well as a brief market update, and discussion about the upcoming election and its potential impact on the market. Audience participation was wonderful, and a lot of very impactful ideas were shared... oh, and the dinner was delicious!

As always, we are grateful for our clients and their continued business and trust.

We hope to see you at our next workshop!

When to Teach Kids about Money and How to Do It

When to teach kids about money, according to the experts — and how to do it Knowing when to start teaching to kids about money and identifying what money skills they need can be tricky, but experts say it is crucial for their futures.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 26, 2024. Another week and another record high for the broader market. The lack of any upside surprises in the January Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data assuaged inflation fears percolating from previous hotter-than-expected consumer and whole inflation reports. Small caps led as the soft-landing scenario gained traction, leaving the Russell 2000 at a new 52-week high.

Weekly Market Performance — March 1, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 26, 2024, discusses another all-time high for the broad market and an up week for commodities as well.

The Biggest Money Mistakes that could Change your Future - And how to get Ahead of them Right Now.

The biggest money mistakes that could change your future — and how to get ahead of them right now Financial experts share their tips on how to reverse and prevent money mistakes — both big and small.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 19, 2024. Large-cap stocks advanced as NVIDIA's earnings exceeded expectations, spurring continued artificial intelligence (AI) momentum. The Russell 2000 Small Cap Index declined given concerns over the Federal Reserve (Fed) holding firm on interest rates. Fed policy also weighed on bond yields, which continued to advance as prices declined. Natural gas rallied 9%, as a major natural gas producer announced significant production cuts.

Weekly Market Performance — February 23, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 19, 2024, highlights NVIDIA's strong earnings, a record high on the Nikkei, and a natural gas rally.

Four Ways to Set Healthy Financial Boundaries in 2024

4 ways to set healthy financial boundaries in 2024 Financial boundaries are an important part to maintaining healthy relationships with your friends and family.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 12, 2024. Hotter-than-expected inflation data this week caused investors to reprice Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts further into the future. Treasury yields advanced, weighing on longer-duration sectors such as technology. The small cap Russell 2000 was a bright spot as most other major market averages declined. Oil rallied 3%, while natural gas continued to struggle against a backdrop of underwhelming heating demand and excess supply.

Weekly Market Performance — February 16, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 12, 2024, highlights last month's inflation, rate cuts, and Treasury yields.

Happy Valentine’s Day from the team at SolomonWood!

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 5, 2024. Highlights for the week include record-setting gains for equities and a major market milestone reached on the S&P 500. Earnings have improved through the fourth quarter reporting season as the average earnings surprise increased to 4%. The economic calendar was light and headlined by a four-month high in the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) Services Index. Crude oil prices rebounded amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, while Treasury yields rose across the curve despite solid auction demand.

Weekly Market Performance — February 9, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of February 5, 2024, highlights equity gains, rising Treasury yields, and the S&P 500 reaching a market milestone.

How Much More Can Consumers Spend?

How Much More Can Consumers Spend? LPL Research studies the latest spending and jobs data and what it means for Federal Reserve monetary policy.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of January 29, 2024. Highlights for the week include continued gains for equities amid big tech and online retail strength. Energy followed crude oil lower, while real estate lagged after a select number of banks reported unexpected commercial real estate loan losses. In addition, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) slightly more hawkish-than-expected tone continued to pressure small cap equities.

Weekly Market Performance — February 2, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of January 29, 2024, highlights continued equity gains, lower gas prices, and commercial real estate loan losses.

How to be a Better Active Listener

Active Listening Life doesn’t make it easy for us to tune things out and focus on what’s right in front of us.

Lifelong Learners Just Might Know Something - They're happier, healthier, more confident, and more productive.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of January 15, 2024. Highlights for the week include a new record high for the S&P 500, bolstered by strong gains for big tech, lower inflation expectations, and a sell-off in natural gas prices.

Weekly Market Performance — January 19, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of January 15, 2024, highlights technology outperforming, sluggish commodities, and an uptick in housing starts.

Record-High Watch for S&P 500 Remains in Effect.

Record-High Watch for S&P 500 Remains in Effect LPL Research highlights how long it has been since the S&P 500 reached record-high territory and what a close above 4,797 could mean for returns this year.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of January 8, 2024. Highlights for the week include S&P 500 Q4 earnings expectations, a rebound for natural gas prices, the small business optimism survey, and the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) report.

Weekly Market Performance — January 12, 2024 LPL's Weekly Market Performance for the week of January 8, 2024, highlights the start of Q4 earnings season, December CPI, and European retail sales.

Due to inclement winter weather and road conditions, our Chattanooga office will open at 10am on Tuesday, January 16th.

Our Nashville office will be closed tomorrow.

A wonderful reminder for us all on this day of service. And may we "do what is right" even when no one is looking.

It appears snow is on the way!

Regardless, our offices will be closed tomorrow, Monday January 15th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Stay safe out there, and enjoy your "snow day."

January Seasonality: Have Returns Pulled Forward?

January Seasonality: Have Returns Pulled Forward? LPL Research assesses stock market seasonals and what they could infer for stock market returns going forward.