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Equities climbed last week thanks to more confirmation that the Fed is ready to cut rates. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at why the Fed may be limited in how far it can go to stem an economic slowdown.

Some Investors Expect Rate Cuts Will Save the Day, but Will the Economy Follow the Script? Will the Fed’s rate cuts be enough to save the day? Or is the economy following a different script?

Markets surged last week on encouraging economic headlines. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte digs into the details to see whether the good times can continue.

Why Not Too Hot nor Too Cold May Not Be Just Right Economic headlines last week offered an incomplete story of the economy. We sift through the details for a clearer picture.

Recent economic data shows why a soft landing may be difficult for the Fed to achieve. Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte weighs in with his take on what investors should consider as they prepare for more bumps ahead.

Markets Bounce Back, but Risks Remain Last week’s market volatility may be just the beginning. We look at how investors can brace for more turbulence ahead.

Will a September rate cut be enough to prevent the economy from tipping into recession? Our Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte offers his take.

Fed Signals Rate Cuts Are Coming—Now Comes the Hard Part News of a likely rate cut in September was overshadowed by weak economic data. We look at why investors’ concerns are warranted.

Conflicting data gives some investors hope the Fed can achieve a soft landing. Get Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte’s take as he explores the latest stock market trends, inflation data and Fed strategies in this week’s Market Commentary.

Markets End Volatile Week on High Note Amid Mixed Signals In this week’s Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte explores the latest stock market trends, inflation data and Fed strategies.

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.

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.

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..

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.

Northwestern Mutual’s latest survey shows that a remarkable 95% of parents who are saving for college expect to cover more than half of the cost for their children. If this is one of your top goals, I can help you find the savings options that would work best for your family.

College Savings Plans: 6 Options to Consider When it comes to saving for your child’s college education, you may have a wider range of options than you realized. Here are six of the best ones.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at how recent conflicting wage data highlights another wrinkle for the Fed to contend with.

Another Challenge for the Fed to Contend With Look for more volatility in inflation as we move later into the business cycle. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

Reach out if you’re looking for help creating a debt-reduction strategy.

Want to Get Out of Debt Faster? 4 Things to Ask Your Credit Card Company Right Now Most credit card issuers want to keep you as a customer, so it’s worth asking them for more favorable terms. These tips can help you get started.

In the Weekly Market Commentary, Chief Investment Officer Brent Schutte looks at the latest economic and jobs data and how it points to a tough task ahead for the Fed.

Latest Economic Data Underscores the Fed’s Tough Task Ahead More signs emerge that inflation is moving in the wrong direction. Get more in our Weekly Market Commentary.

Retiring at different times brings unique challenges and opportunities. Reach out if you need help ironing out the details so you can enter retirement feeling confident.

5 Things to Consider When You Retire Before Your Spouse If you decide to retire before your spouse does, there are a few things you should know. Here are 5 things to know if you’re retiring before your spouse.

We get this question a lot. The answer is that life insurance is not an investment. But when combined with other tools, like investments, it can add a lot of value to your financial plan.

How Life Insurance Adds Value to Your Financial Plan Is whole life insurance worth it? While whole life insurance isn't an investment, life insurance policies can benefit from cash value growth and dividends.