Frazier Allen: Diversify your income
December 3, 2015
Branching out allows your retirement savings to weather different seasons
Clarksville, TN – There are many factors to consider when it comes to planning for a secure and fulfilling retirement – from how you’ll fill your time to where you’ll live and how you’ll pay for it all. One solution is diversifying your retirement income.
Similar to asset allocation among your investments, this approach advocates establishing independent streams of income that could provide needed cash flow under a variety of circumstances. The big idea is to put your eggs in several baskets since none of us know what the markets will do over 20 to 30 years of retirement, much less how long we’ll need our money to last.
Frazier Allen
Frazier Allen: Third quarter marked by mixed data and volatility
October 5, 2015
Clarksville, TN – Last quarter, many investors watched closely as the Greek debt drama played out on a global stage. Three months later, investors once again are warily watching how international economic conditions impact domestic markets.
Headwinds include worries over slower growth in Europe and Asia; the effects of lower commodity prices; uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s rate tightening policy and timing; suppressed inflation; and the potential for a U.S. government shutdown either at the beginning of October or during early December.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of October 4th, 2015
October 4, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed, but consistent with the theme of global softness and domestic strength. Unit auto sales improved further in September – and, combined with the August data on personal income and spending, suggest that inflation-adjusted consumer spending (70% of GDP) is on track to have expanded at an annual pace of 3.5% to 4.0% in 3Q15.
The trade deficit in goods widened sharply in August, with that split evenly between stronger imports (despite lower oil prices) and weaker exports. Net exports and an inventory correction are expected to subtract significantly from 3Q15 GDP growth, but underlying domestic demand appears to have remained strong.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of September 20th, 2015
September 20, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The Federal Open Market Committee delayed the start of policy normalization, citing concerns about global economic and financial developments.
The FOMC is not reacting to overseas developments per se, but rather to the implications for the U.S. economy (some restraint on growth, further downward pressure on inflation). In the revised dot plot, there was little agreement about where the federal funds rate would be at the end of 2016 and 2017.
Frazier Allen
Frazier Allen talks about Surprising Expenses in Retirement
August 19, 2015
Clarksville, TN – While it’s no secret that retirement brings a lot of unknowns, you don’t want to be caught off guard if you can help it.
With so many decisions to be made from both financial and lifestyle perspectives, planning now for some of the “surprises” that may come your way can give you confidence that your financial future will be comfortable.
Keep these costs in mind to keep your retirement dreams (and budget) intact
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of May 24th, 2015
May 24, 2015
Clarksville, TN – The economic data reports were mixed. Homebuilder sentiment declined in May, but residential homebuilding was stronger than expected in April.
Some of that reflects a rebound from bad weather, but it’s also a consequence of the high level of volatility in the multifamily sector (single-family permits were higher, but not exactly booming). Consumer price inflation remained negative on a year-over-year basis (-0.2%), but core inflation rose slightly more than anticipated.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of November 25th, 2014
November 25, 2014
Clarksville, TN – There are a few key financial market themes of the last several weeks. While the outlooks for the domestic economy and Federal Reserve policy are important, U.S. investors are sensitive to developments in the rest of the world.
Basically, poor economic news from the euro area, China, or Japan is a negative for U.S. equities, while any efforts by foreign central banks to address weakness are seen as a positive.
Japan posted a second quarterly decline in real GDP. Manufacturing gauges for the euro area and China were weak. The Bank of Japan extended its quantitative easing at the end of October.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of November 16th, 2014
November 16, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The economic calendar was thin. The report on retail sales, the only significant release during the week, was a little better than expected, restrained by the decline in gasoline prices. Note that lower gasoline prices should provide some support for consumer spending in the important holiday shopping season.
However, that support is likely to merely offset the impact of sluggish wage growth (leading to “okay” holiday sales). The impact of lower gasoline prices on consumer spending depends on how low gasoline prices go and how long they stay low, but usually arrives with a lag.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of November 12th, 2014
November 12, 2014
Clarksville, TN – As was widely anticipated, Republicans picked up enough seats in the mid-term elections to control the Senate. Voter turnout was low, especially among young people and Hispanics.
Some are hopeful for a new spirit of bipartisanship, which happens after every mid-term election. Others are expecting the Republicans to accomplish things, such as tax reform and immigration reform.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of November 2nd, 2014
November 2, 2014
Clarksville, TN – As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee brought the large-scale asset purchase program (QE3) to an end and repeated that it expects conditions to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate “for a considerable time.”
The policy statement was viewed as more hawkish (or less dovish) than anticipated. The FOMC noted that the slack in the job market is “diminishing gradually” (in the previous statement, slack was described as “significant”). The Fed added that the initial increase in short-term interest rates likely would come sooner if the economy is stronger than anticipated or later if the economy disappoints.
Frazier Allen
