Posts by MeritMarketing
Market Commentary: 50x All Time High!
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer Please join me in remembering our Veterans on this Veterans Day. At Merit we celebrate their contributions and especially appreciate their sacrifices. As we closed out election week, the S&P 500 Index price was almost at 6,000 and the DJIA almost 44,000. This was the 50th all-time-high…
Read MoreA Five-Part Framework for Amplifying Your Charitable Giving
By Mike Smalley, CFP®, Wealth Manager, Merit Financial Advisors Americans continue to be generous with their money, but could they be more strategic? According to the Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2023, total giving grew 1.9% to an estimated $557.16 billion for U.S. charities in 2023 from individuals, bequests,…
Read MoreSpecial Market Commentary – Now What?
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…
Read MoreWebinar Replay – 2024 Elections: Navigating Market Shifts and Economic Trends for Investors
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…
Read MoreWhy Is It So Hard For the Non-Breadwinner to Get Divorced? The System Is Broken
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,…
Read MoreSeptember 2024 Market Update
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…
Read MoreFederal Reserve’s Latest Rate Decision – Key Implications and Opportunities
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…
Read MoreTrump, Harris, and the Market Rollercoaster: What Investors Can Expect
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,…
Read MoreThis 401(k) Day, here are Three Tips to Bring Your Plan into Alignment with Your Financial Goals
By Joshua Mersberger, Regional Director, Merit Financial Advisors While Americans are saving more for retirement today than they did 30 years ago, are they setting themselves up for success? 401(k) Day, which occurs annually on the Friday after Labor Day, provides a day to focus on retirement planning and preparation and take stock of one’s…
Read MoreAugust 2024 Market Update
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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