Special Market Commentary – Now What?

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By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer While we are still waiting for the election outcome for the House of Representatives, we have a clear picture of who will be in the White House and in control of the Senate. Today’s market reaction is a continuation of the market’s pricing in a former President…

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Webinar Replay – 2024 Elections: Navigating Market Shifts and Economic Trends for Investors

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As the 2024 U.S. elections draw near, their outcomes could significantly impact the markets, economy, and your investment strategies. In our recent live webinar, we explored how these elections could influence fiscal policies, regulatory landscapes, and market trends. Our seasoned panelists, Allison Boxer, Senior Vice President and Economist at PIMCO, and Brian Andrew, Chief Investment…

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Why Is It So Hard For the Non-Breadwinner to Get Divorced? The System Is Broken 

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Written by: Hollis Hardiman, CDFA™ Wealth Manager | Partner Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention: the financial hurdles many non-breadwinners face when trying to get divorced. It’s frustrating, it’s unfair, and honestly, it’s a broken system. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), I’ve seen this play out time and time again,…

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September 2024 Market Update

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In this September market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, explores recent market trends and their potential influence on your investment strategy in the months ahead. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and insightful. For any questions, please reach out to your Merit financial advisor. Stay Connected. Stay Informed. Follow…

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Federal Reserve’s Latest Rate Decision – Key Implications and Opportunities

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Written by: Nate Burstin, Portfolio Manager Following a very recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision, Merit’s investment team discusses key implications and opportunities this presents. As expected, the Federal Reserve announced its first rate cut, reducing the target range from 5.25%–5.50% to 4.75%–5.00%. While this outcome was widely anticipated, the market’s response has been…

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Trump, Harris, and the Market Rollercoaster: What Investors Can Expect

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By Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer | Executive Vice President, Merit Financial Advisors When election rhetoric runs high, investors often feel they should be rushing to make adjustments to their portfolios. However, while the news cycle operates 24/7, it doesn’t mean investors should feel compelled to make wholesale changes to their long-term strategies. Historically,…

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August 2024 Market Update

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In this August market update, our Chief Investment Officer, Brian Andrew, CFA®, delves into the latest market trends and their potential impact on your investments in the coming months. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video educational and informative. If you have any questions, please contact your Merit financial advisor.  Stay Connected. Stay Informed.…

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Merit Financial Advisors Partners with Kizer & Associates to Expand Its Presence in the Midwest

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ATLANTA —[August 19, 2024] — Merit Financial Advisors (“Merit”), a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced today it has acquired Kizer & Associates (“Kizer”). The firm, based in Barrington, IL, will establish Merit’s first Illinois office and…

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Special Market Commentary August 2024

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Written by Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer In last month’s video, we mentioned that August is becoming less attractive for vacations and that we might just get an opportunity to take advantage of some volatility. Little did we know just how soon that postponed vacation would come in handy! Bond prices have rallied…

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