Financial Planning
Santa Claus Is Coming
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer While the stock market has been rallying since October of 2023, the complexion of the rally continues to change. In particular, what worked post-election, has changed as we enter the Santa rally period between now and the end of December. Yesterday’s Fed announcement that they would cut…
Read MoreNovember 2024 Market Update
In this November market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, examines recent market trends and discusses their potential impact on your investment strategy as we move toward year-end and into 2024. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and insightful. For any questions, please reach out to your Merit financial advisor.…
Read MoreSECURE 2.0 Will Bring New Changes in 2025: What Business Owners Need to Know
By Don Hammond, CFP®, AIF®, MBA, Senior Vice President and Managing Partner, Merit Financial Advisors Are you or your employees in danger of outliving your retirement? It’s a troubling prospect facing many Americans today. Recent analysis from Vanguard confirms an average 401(k) balance of $134,128 in 2024, with the median balance being $35,286. Shockingly, 28%…
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 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 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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