Columbia Advisory Partners

Stocks edged higher in August as investors monitored economic reports for the Fed's next move with short-term interest rates

Monthly Market Insights | August 2024 Stocks edged higher during a volatile month of trading as investors monitored economic reports about the Fed’s next move with short-term interest rates.

The stock market rallied in Q2 around AI and hopes that the Fed will manage interest rates with inflation trending lower.

Quarterly Market Insights | Q2 2024 Following a rocky start, stocks finished the second quarter higher as investors remained optimistic the Fed will manage interest rates with inflation trending lower.

Stocks rallied in May as investors welcomed upbeat Q1 corporate reports and signs of a Goldilocks economy - not too hot, not too cold. The Dow crossed 40,000 for the first time after cooler inflation data raised hopes for a potential rate adjustment.

Monthly Market Insights | June 2024 Stocks rose in May as investors cheered upbeat Q1 corporate reports and signs that the economy was still strong while not overheating.

April's stocks took a hit due to rising inflation and mixed economic news, despite a late-month rally fueled by strong Q1 reports from two mega-cap tech stocks.

Monthly Market Insights | May 2024 Despite a late-month rally, stocks fell in April as investors struggled with a hotter-than-expected inflation report and mixed news about the economy.

February saw modest gains thanks to upbeat corporate reports and investor enthusiasm regarding artificial intelligence.

Monthly Market Insights | March 2024 Stocks notched solid gains last month as upbeat corporate reports and investor enthusiasm surrounding artificial intelligence overshadowed the Fed’s next move with interest rates.

January's markets saw modest gains thanks to positive economic data and upbeat Q4 corporate reports which helped support prices.

Monthly Market Insights | February 2024 The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.22 percent, while the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index gained 1.59 percent. The Nasdaq Composite, which led throughout 2023, rose 1.02 percent.1

Despite a challenging start to Q4 due to rising bond yields and monetary policy concerns, optimism surged with new inflation data and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's encouraging remarks, leading to a market rally.

Quarterly Market Insights | Q4 2023 Stocks moved higher in the final three months of the year as bond yields trended lower in growing anticipation of a potential Fed easing.

The fears that dragged on the stock market since August evaporated in November as fresh inflation data reaffirmed continuing progress in the fight against rising prices.

Monthly Market Insights | December 2023 The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 8.77 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 8.92 percent. The Nasdaq Composite, which has led all year, picked up 10.70 percent.1

Investors faced challenges as stocks moved lower due to multiple headwinds, including rising bond yields and geopolitical tensions. However, many remain confident as they look for initial indications of consumer strength by gauging early holiday shopping levels.

Monthly Market Insights | November 2023 Rising bond yields, geopolitical tensions, sticky inflation, and mixed earnings reports combined to push stocks lower last month.

Bette Nash will be celebrating her 65th year as a flight attendant with a new Guinness World Record for the longest-serving flight attendant ✈️ . ABCNews has the high-flying tale:

86-year-old woman is longest-serving flight attendant, Guinness says Bette Nash, 86, is the oldest and longest-serving flight attendant in the world, according to Guinness World Records

🔥🌴 Update on Lahaina Recovery Efforts 🔥🌴

Here's the latest update on the recovery efforts in Lahaina, Hawaii, nearly a month after the devastating wildfire:

◾ Recovery efforts continue in Lahaina, Hawaii, after a devastating wildfire.
◾ Lawsuits are piling up in court over liability for the fire.
◾ Businesses are worried about the impact on tourism.
◾ Thousands of people have been provided with temporary shelter in hotels.
◾ Community members are organizing immediate disaster relief aid.
◾ Lahaina's restaurants and historic sites are now charred ruins.
◾ Federal support and assistance continue from FEMA.
◾ Tourists are encouraged to visit Maui but to avoid West Maui.

Stay informed about the recovery efforts in Lahaina, Hawaii. Together, we can support the community and help them rebuild. 🌺💪



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Things to know about aid, lawsuits and tourism nearly a month after fire leveled a Hawaii community It's been nearly a month since the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed at least 115 people in Hawaii. Lawsuits are piling up in court. Businesses across the island of Maui are fretting about the loss of tourism.

October 16-22 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Time and time again, I'm reminded that a properly designed estate plan can provide flexibility and resilience in the face of family change. If you already have an estate strategy in place, consider using this week to share it with your loved ones. A conversation now can make all the difference for the future.

🔎 Some experts suggest we may be experiencing a "richcession" rather than a broad contraction.

👩‍💻This means that job losses have disproportionately affected white-collar workers. While white-collar jobs may be on the decline, the broader economy is still doing well—the U.S. economy is experiencing positive growth and a strong labor market.

💳 However, many Americans are feeling the impact of higher prices and relying on credit cards to make ends meet. Financial well-being is deteriorating, with high credit card debt and a majority of Americans living paycheck to paycheck.



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As recession fears fade, we may be experiencing a 'richcession' instead — here’s what that means for you Some economists say the country is already experiencing a "richcession," rather than a broad contraction to come later.

Stocks faced headwinds in Q3 as bond yields rose, impacting investor sentiment. With inflation data and interest rates in focus, market watchers anticipate a potential rate hike.

Quarterly Market Insights | Q3 2023 Stocks lost a portion of their first-half gains in the third quarter as a continued tight monetary bias from the Federal Reserve sent bond yields higher, unsettling stock investors throughout August and September.

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans have inactive 401(k)s worth thousands of dollars? Don't let your hard-earned money go to waste! Here's how to reclaim yours.

How to find a lost 401(k):
1. Contact your old employer's HR department
2. Check old 401(k) statements for account details
3. Use look-up databases like the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits or the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators
4. Check the Department of Labor's abandoned plan database

Once you've located your plan, you can:
🔁 Request a direct rollover to your new employer's plan
💼 Transfer the funds into an existing IRA
🤔Cash it out (but beware of taxes and penalties)


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1 in 5 Americans have inactive 401(k)s worth thousands of dollars—here's how to reclaim yours Rolling over an old 401(k) into a new plan can be a pain, but it's typically worth the hassle.

🚗🔒 Carmakers are failing at protecting owners' privacy.

📊 Study finds major car manufacturers admit to potentially selling personal information, with half willing to share it with government or law enforcement without a court order.

📡 Proliferation of sensors in cars makes them data-collection hubs, raising concerns about privacy and security.

💡 Cars score worst for privacy among various product categories, lacking transparency and control for drivers.

🔍 Researchers urge carmakers to prioritize privacy standards and provide options for data deletion.



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Carmakers are failing the privacy test. Owners have little or no control over data collected Cars are getting an “F” in data privacy. A new study finds most major brands admit they may be selling your personal data.

When are you taking your benefits? Considering the timing can help maximize your benefit.

A Fruitful Retirement: Social Security Benefit Taking your Social Security benefits at the right time may help maximize your benefit.

📊 Here’s the inflation breakdown for August 2023:

⬆️ The August 2023 consumer price index rose 3.7% on an annual basis, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
⛽️ Gasoline prices spiked in August, contributing to the increase, but economists believe it's likely temporary.
🏷️ Inflation measures how quickly prices are rising across the U.S. economy. Gasoline prices jumped 10.6% in August alone, accounting for over half of the increase.
🏡 Housing was the largest contributor to the rise in core CPI in August.
🍎Groceries have been a bright spot for consumers, with easing price pressures.

Inflation during the pandemic era has been a complicated phenomenon, influenced by multiple factors. Inflationary pressures occur when there's an imbalance between supply and demand.
We've come a long way in getting back to normal, but there's still progress to be made.

How has inflation affected you and your family?


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Here's the inflation breakdown for August 2023, in one chart A spike in gasoline prices was largely responsible for a 3.7% annual increase in the consumer price index for August 2023.

🚗Americans are holding on to their vehicles longer than ever due to high car prices and shortages of new vehicles, driving the average U.S. vehicle age to a record 12.5 years.

Prices of new and used cars have soared, with the average new vehicle cost reaching nearly $48,000 and the typical loan rate on new-car purchases ballooning to 7%.

🔧 Auto mechanics are witnessing an influx of older vehicles in need of routine service and repairs, as owners opt to stick with their current cars rather than face high costs of buying a new one.

The average vehicle age has accelerated by three months this year, with more vehicles staying on the road for 20 years or more, contributing to the boom time for auto repair shops.

⚙️ Despite rising repair costs, it remains more cost-effective for many people to fix their older vehicles rather than purchasing a new one.



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Repelled by high car prices, Americans are holding on to their vehicles longer than ever The average age of a passenger vehicle on U.S. roads hit a record 12.5 years this year, according to data gathered by S&P Global Mobility. Blame it mainly on the pandemic.

America's richest woman grew up on a dairy farm and worked her way to a net worth of $11.6 billion. CNBC has more:

America's richest self-made woman grew up on a dairy farm—now she has a net worth of $11.6 billion Diane Hendricks overcame obstacle after obstacle to launch ABC Supply in 1982. Now, she's the richest self-made woman in the U.S. for the fifth year running.

Despite challenges from rising yields and credit downgrades, stocks staged a late-month rally. All eyes are now on the Fed's upcoming meeting, while National Preparedness Month reminds us to get equipped for unexpected challenges.

Monthly Market Insights | September 2023 After sliding for much of last month on rising yields, credit rating downgrades, and economic weakness out of China, stocks staged a late-August rally to help trim losses.

Experience the magic of domestic winter destinations with a cozy inn, fireside cocoa, ice skating and twinkling lights, just like living in a snow globe! Travel + Leisure is here to help you inspire your winter getaways: #

20 Most Beautiful Winter Towns in the U.S. Plan a trip to these real-life winter wonderlands around the U.S.

🎁 No more free coffee on your birthday? 😮 Companies are reining in customer rewards programs, and here's why:

🥳Changes are happening to birthday rewards and redemption requirements.
☕️ Dunkin' stopped offering free drinks on birthdays, opting for loyalty points instead.
🎈 Sephora now requires a $25 minimum purchase for birthday gifts.
🍔 Red Robin added dine-in and minimum purchase requirements for free birthday burgers.

💡 Companies cite factors like program costs, inflation, and changing consumer behavior as reasons for the changes.

🎉 The future of customer loyalty programs may involve scaling back or offering better rewards to encourage spending.


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No more free coffee on your birthday? Companies rein in customer rewards programs — here's why Reward programs, including birthday freebies and discounts, have long been a way for brands to build loyalty and incentivize spending.