With the cost of providing health care and other employee benefits rising, small businesses may find it difficult to compete with larger companies in attracting and retaining the most talented workers. Compared with other types of benefits, an employee volunteer program is relatively affordable, easy to administer, and can go a long way toward improving […]
Is that investment an innovation or an improvement on an existing product? As Christmas sales loom, we face an endless array of sparkly, shiny and occasionally innovative items. As an investor, you run into a similar phenomenon that requires you to ask, “Are investment offerings truly innovative, or simply improvements to existing technologies and services?” […]
U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Lower The major equity markets finished the week lower as markets gave up ground Friday during a holiday-shortened trading session given new COVID-19 variant concerns in South Africa. Friday’s market decline, with the Dow Jones off nearly 1,000 points, is the worst pullback so far in 2021. Consumer staples […]
Cyber Monday is one of the most popular shopping days, competing each year with Black Friday when it comes to scoring holiday deals. While online shopping continues to grow in popularity, it also opens the door even wider for those looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Help make your online shopping safe this Cyber […]
There’s no question that November and December are the biggest times of year for shopping. But this year, it’s more important than ever to shop small and benefit your community. Supporting local businesses means you’re supporting your friends and neighbors. And you’re likely to find unique items in mom-and-pop shops that you can’t find anywhere […]
U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Mixed The major equity markets finished the week mixed as inflation worries continued to play a role in investors’ minds amid an excellent third quarter earnings season. International equities, as represented by the developed international (MSCI EAFE) and emerging markets (MSCI EM), lost ground as COVID-19 cases rebounded in […]
U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Mostly Higher The major equity markets finished the week on a negative note as inflation worries played a role in investors’ minds amid an excellent Q3 earning season that has almost concluded. Emerging markets (MSCI EM) was the major bright spot, finishing the week higher. As concerns mount over […]
Entrepreneurs may entertain thoughts of achieving success, inspired by those companies that seem to spring forth fully grown overnight. But, it is important for business owners to ask at the outset, “What is an appropriate measure of success?” Because bigger is not always better. While observers may tend to measure a company’s success solely by […]
Today, many people find themselves bombarded by a constant stream of financial news from television, radio, and the Internet. Yet, does all this “information age” data really help you manage your finances any better now than in the past? Often, what are considered old-fashioned practices, such as performing periodic financial reviews, can lead to greater […]
The October payroll report more than delivered on expectations for a bounce back from the soft September report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its October employment report this morning, revealing that the domestic economy added a solid 531,000 jobs during the month, exceeding Bloomberg-surveyed economists’ median forecast for a gain of 450,000. This […]
