When you think about retirement, the first thing that might come to mind is that magic age when you’ll kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. For some, it’s 65, for others, maybe earlier or later. But how do you determine the right retirement age for you? It’s not a one-size-fits-all decision. The ideal retirement age is deeply personal and depends on various factors like your finances, lifestyle goals, and even your health. There are a few factors that you can assess to help you determine what may be right for you. 1. Assess Your Financial Situation…

As the U.S. heads into another presidential election, concerns are growing about potential delays in results and the risk of unrest, especially given the heightened polarization in recent years. After the 2020 election, a significant portion of the electorate questioned the legitimacy of results, leading to the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The peaceful transfer of power—a hallmark of American democracy—now seems less assured than in previous years, and the possibility of election-related unrest is real. For investors, this uncertainty adds a layer of complexity. How can you position your portfolio to withstand potential market volatility or economic disruption…

Within the S&P 500, 111 companies reported earnings last week, and 75% of S&P 500 firms reported better-than-expected earnings for the quarter. The third-quarter earnings season enters its busiest reporting week, with 170 S&P 500 companies scheduled to report. The Magnificent 7, consisting of Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), NVIDIA (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Tesla (TSLA), feature heavily in the upcoming earnings week. Five of the seven companies report earnings this week: Alphabet on Tuesday, Meta and Microsoft on Wednesday, and Amazon and Apple on Thursday. Tesla reported much better-than-expected earnings last week, and NVIDIA won’t…

In times of stock market uncertainty, investors often seek alternative investment avenues that provide similar benefits to the public stock market but with less direct stock market exposure. Endowments and high-net-worth families frequently turn to private equity for its potential to deliver stock market upside while mitigating stock market risk. If you’re unfamiliar with private equity, you can start with this article for an in-depth introduction. Types of Traditional Private Equity 1. Venture Capital (VC) Venture capital involves investing in startups at their early stages, making it the riskiest form of a private equity investment. However, diversifying across multiple startups…

With early voting already starting or soon to begin in many states, some investors wonder if they should change their stock exposure based on who wins the Presidential election on November 5. Looking at the stock performance during the terms of the last eight Presidents, which consisted of four Democrats and four Republicans, does not clearly show any stock market advantage to either party. Interestingly, the S&P 500’s annualized return during Obama’s and Trump’s presidency was an identical 16.3%. If one considers Kamala Harris’ possible administration as a continuation of Biden’s term, his leadership has clocked in with a respectable…

When we hear the word “wealth,” our minds usually jump straight to finances—bank accounts, investments, net worth. But here’s the thing: wealth is about so much more than just money. True wealth extends beyond the dollars and cents. It’s about well-being, relationships, and how we live our lives. Let’s break down a few key areas that contribute to a wealthy life, far beyond what’s in your wallet. 1. Health: The Foundation of Wealth It’s often said that “health is wealth,” and for good reason. Without good health, it becomes difficult to enjoy other aspects of life, including your finances. Think…

When the price of oil trends downward, so do the major oil stocks. Not that surprising except that right now, the companies are putting in lower lows on the price charts while light crude oil itself is holding above a September low. Without speculating about all of the reasons for this (the Middle East? lower interest rates? the new moon?), here’s a close look at the patterns established by the movement of price. West Texas Intermediate Crude (continuous contract). Starting with the price of oil itself, you can see the early April peak, how it dropped from there and how…

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK/A, BRK/B) reported earnings of $26.3 billion in the third quarter versus a loss of $12.8 billion in the same quarter of 2023. Operating earnings, which remove the distortion from market changes and better reflect the firm’s earnings power, fell by 6% for the quarter versus 2023. Providing an illustration of the value from share repurchases, per-share operating income for the year-to-date increased by 15% compared to 2023, while operating earnings grew by 14%. Warren Buffett leads Berkshire as CEO and Chairman with Greg Abel, Vice Chairman of Non-insurance, and Ajit Jain, Vice Chairman of Insurance. Berkshire’s most…

“It feels like this is the worst,” says Atlanta-based advisor Margaret Wright of Truist Financial. “But I remind clients that we’ve been here before. We just need to be that unemotional voice of reason—that’s a lot of the reason why people hire advisors.” Spuds Powell, a managing director at $65 billion RIA Kayne Anderson Rudnick in California prefers in person meetings with clients rather than phone calls and his calendar has been filled.“At times like these with heightened levels of nervousness, over-communication is really important,”says Powell. “I’ve always felt that my most important role is to serve as financial psychologist…

Within the S&P 500, 170 companies reported earnings last week, and 75% of S&P 500 firms reported better-than-expected earnings for the quarter. The pace of the third-quarter earnings season begins slow, but 102 S&P 500 companies are scheduled to report. The Magnificent 7, consisting of Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), NVIDIA (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Tesla (TSLA), featured heavily in last week’s earnings. Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple reported better-than-expected earnings. Tesla reported much better-than-expected earnings the previous week, and NVIDIA won’t report until late November. Because these companies are a critical driver of earnings…