SELL IN MAY? MAYBE NOT

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

After a strong first quarter for stocks, some April showers rained down as the S&P 500 fell about 4% last month. Hopefully those showers will bring some flowers in May, despite the widely cited stock market adage, “Sell in May and go away.” There is some merit to this old adage because the S&P 500’s best six-month returns have, on average, come from November through April, and its worst between May and October (recall bear markets often end in October). Still, historically the index has gained an average of 1.8% from May through October — hardly worth avoiding. […]

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10 Tips to Help HNW Individuals Avoid an “F” On Their Financial Literacy Report Card

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

Financial literacy is essential for everyone but can be crucial for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals who may have more wealth to lose than others. Navigating the complex financial landscape is no small task, and having the foundation of financial literacy can help. Financial literacy is essential to wealth management because it may help mitigate the risk of costly mistakes, even for those with a high net worth. Here are ten tips to help HNW individuals avoid potential failures on their financial literacy report cards.
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How to Prepare Your Finances for an Election Year

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

Election years create a certain level of uncertainty regarding your finances and investments. During continued market volatility, an imminent election can make investors tense. All followers of political parties believe their party plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic health. But is that really accurate? Is panicking unfounded and potentially financially damaging to an investor’s financial goals? Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you preserve your financial interests as an election approaches. […]

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Stay Calm and File On Time! 7 Need-to-Know Tips for Last-Minute Tax Filing

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

Tax season always has a way of sneaking up on us. A quote by American writer Rita Mae Brown that could have easily been uttered by the IRS or any one of us goes, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.” According to Psychology Today, procrastination is right up there with being a basic human instinct when it comes to human behavior. If you know you usually wait until the last minute to file your taxes, a to-do list could help you stay motivated and on top of your responsibilities. Need help getting started? Here are six need-to-know tips for last-minute tax filing. […]

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An Excellent First Quarter for Stocks

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

The first quarter is in the books, and it was an excellent one for stocks. The S&P 500 index rode a resilient U.S. economy, easing inflation, rising corporate profits, and anticipation of summertime rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (Fed) to solid gains in March, the fifth straight winning month, and the best first quarter since 2019. […]

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Don’t Forget to File! 8 Tax Filing Tips to Help Mitigate the Stress

Posted on March 29, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

If you hear the term HENRYs mentioned during a financial conversation, you may or may not be familiar with the fairly new acronym. It stands for “High Earners, Not Yet Rich,” or another way to describe them is “high earners with little to no savings,” or the “working rich.” If individuals that are big spenders and not in the habit of saving much yet, they may find a way to mitigate some of their financial stress through modifying their tax filing strategy. […]

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Old 401(k), New Tricks: 6 Tips for Rolling Over Your 401(k)

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

The average American worker will change jobs more than once in their lifetime. While there are multiple options such as leaving your 401(k) in your former plan if allowed, cashing out the account balance, or transferring the 401(k), many decide to roll over their old 401(k) to their new employer’s plan or other investment vehicles such as an IRA, Roth IRA, or an annuity. Here, we provide tips to help the rollover process go quickly and smoothly for you. […]

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The Role of AI in Investing and Financial Planning

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

The integration of tech can amplify the capabilities of financial professionals

As investors navigate the dynamic landscape of the financial markets, they find themselves at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and traditional expertise. The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven solutions has undoubtedly revolutionized the financial advisory space.

However, as industry research suggests, the next generation of investors places immense value not only on the personalized and immediate benefits AI brings but also on the human touch provided by financial professionals. […]

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Pearls of Wisdom: Wealth Preservation for High-Net-Worth Women

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

Wealth preservation is essential for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals, but it warrants a gender-specific focus, too. Particularly for HNW women, understanding the complexities of wealth preservation is crucial. Whether due to inheritance, accomplishment in the corporate world, or entrepreneurial fulfillment, more women today find themselves in the ranks of HNW individuals. […]

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Markets Heating Up

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Rick Fisher Jr.

As spring approaches, the weather is starting to warm up. For the stock market, the temperature has been rising for a while now. In fact, since December 2023, the S&P 500 has not experienced a pullback of even 2%. Strong starts to years tend to signal more gains ahead, so this calm market may not precede a storm. In fact, when the S&P 500 has been up in January and February, it has gained an average of 11% over the rest of the year and has been higher in 26 out of 28 cases. […]

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