Frazier Allen: Baby-Proofing Your Finances
March 14, 2016
Review this checklist and prepare for parenthood with open eyes and special financial care.
Clarksville, TN – So, you’re going to be a parent. Exciting? Yes. Scary? Certainly. While finances may seem to be a daunting part of your new, more fiscally responsible life, this is just the beginning of navigating all that having a child brings.
No doubt, you want to be debt-free with a solid retirement plan in place and the ability to take care of college costs.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of March 13th, 2016
March 13, 2016
Clarksville, TN – The economic calendar was thin. Jobless claims fell more than expected (not too unusual), while the four-week average remained very low (about as low as it can go given the normal labor market frictions). Small business optimism fell in February. The Quarterly Services Survey pointed to an upward revision to the estimate of consumer spending growth for 4Q15.
The European Central Bank surprised the markets by doing much more than expected (lowering interest rates, expanding QE, and making other efforts to boost growth).
Frazier Allen
Frazier Allen: Double-Check Before Filing Your IRS Return
March 12, 2016
It may seem like common sense, but going back over the information you enter may be the most important part of your tax filing duties.
Clarksville, TN – It’s tax time. And as you work with your advisor or tax preparer to maximize your refund, or at least minimize what you owe, keep in mind that one of the most important things taxpayers can do to limit errors is to double-check the information they input into software or a printed form.
It may seem like common sense, but going back over the information you enter may be the most important part of your tax filing duties.
Frazier Allen
Frazier Allen: When Will the Market Make a New High?
March 10, 2016
Clarksville, TN – The equity market remains mired in a troubled spot. Trading over the past 30 days saw a meager counter-trend rally of +4.3% on a closing basis. A decline of just under 6% quickly ensued and pushed the S&P 500 to new closing (1829) and intra-day (1810) lows.
Lower highs and lower lows are not a good outcome for the bulls. For the very near term, a counter-trend rally is possible due to oversold internals. However, with plentiful amounts of overhead resistance, a new high for the market does not seem plausible any time soon.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of March 6th, 2016
March 6, 2016
Clarksville, TN – Nonfarm payrolls rose more than expected in February, while figures for the two previous months were revised higher. At 228,000, the three-month average has remained strong. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.9%, but labor force participation continued to pick up and the employment/population ratio is trending higher.
Hours fell, likely reflecting bad weather (weakness in hours was concentrated in mining, which includes energy exploration, and construction). Average hourly earnings fell 0.1% (following a 0.5% rise in January), bringing the year-over-year gain down to 2.2% (from 2.5%), but the three-month average was up nearly 2.5% y/y.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of February 7th, 2016
February 7, 2016
Clarksville, TN – The economic data were mixed. The ISM Manufacturing Index remained below the break even level in January, with a pickup in new orders and a softening in employment.
The ISM’s Non-Manufacturing Index slowed more than anticipated. The January Employment Report seemed to have something for everybody. Nonfarm payrolls rose less than forecast.
However, the unemployment rate edged lower, hours moved higher and average hourly earnings advanced – all likely to catch the attention of Fed policymakers.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of January 27th, 2016
January 27, 2016
Clarksville, TN – Global worries continued, but the U.S. stock market rebounded somewhat after a sharp slide on Wednesday, lending hope to the view that the worst is behind us. Oil prices also improved, but it’s not clear whether the global outlook was helped by higher oil prices or the other way around.
Yields on long-term Treasuries fell on the flight to safety, but that was partly unwound as global worries eased at the end of the week. Investors also took encouragement from European Central Bank President Draghi’s comments that the ECB will review and reconsider its policy outlook in March.
Frazier Allen
Frazier Allen: Market pullbacks need perspective
January 24, 2016
Clarksville, TN – The first three trading weeks of the year have been marked by volatility in the domestic and global equity markets, garnering the attention of investors and the financial media.
There’s a lot going on with stocks stumbling, bond yields falling and oil prices declining. So, it may be helpful to separate the noise from the underlying fundamentals.
Despite slowdowns in China and Europe, domestic economic growth has held up fairly well, supported by job growth and stronger consumer spending power.
Frazier Allen
Clarksville Weekly Market Snapshot from Frazier Allen for the week of January 16th, 2016
January 17, 2016
Clarksville, TN – The important economic data reports were bunched up on Friday. December retail sales results were somewhat disappointing. Industrial production was weighed down by mild temperatures (lower output of utilities) and a further contraction in energy exploration.
Manufacturing output edged down modestly, mixed across sectors, but generally soft over the last several months. The New York Fed’s Empire State Manufacturing Index fell sharply in January.
Frazier Allen
Frazier Allen lists 12 Resolutions for 2016
December 30, 2015
Start the New Year right by reviewing and revamping your financial plan.
Clarksville, TN – Instead of hauling out those familiar New Year’s resolutions about eating less and exercising more, how about focusing on something that’s also very good for you in the long run- and even sooner? We’re talking about your financial plan – your fiscal health, if you will.
The approach of 2016 is a great time to review your plan and make whatever revisions might be indicated. With that in mind, here are 12 suggested resolutions that, if followed, will go a long ways toward helping to ensure that your later years will be financially secure.
Frazier Allen
