Why The Disruption in the Bond Market Matters to You and A Quick Bond Explainer
The U.S. bond market is a ~$60 trillion market and is the foundation of the global borrowing markets. It includes bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, municipal bonds and corporations. U.S. Treasuries, backed by the taxing authority of the U.S. government, are considered risk-free and provide the baseline rate for pricing other debt. When rates rise quickly, as they have this year, borrowing quickly becomes more expensive and floating rate paymentsclimb, pushing some borrowers toward default. read more...
Q3 2026 Market Update: Equity Markets Shrug Off Higher Rates, AI Concerns; Bond Market Sells Off
The equity markets started the year at record high levels, but dropped significantly in late March after the unexpected attack on Iran. Equity markets recovered with a dramatic rebound in the second quarter, despite the unresolved geopolitical unrest, and were resilient through the third quarter despite a worsening interest rate environment, high oil prices, increasing concerns over AI safety, midterm election noise and continued conflict in the Middle East. read more...
Q2 2026: Momentum Markets Driven By Hopes of a Cease-fire, AI Exuberance
So far this year the equity markets have followed last year’s pattern: a difficult start followed by a strong rebound. Last year’s early sell-off was driven by the “Liberation Day” tariff announcements. This year, the attack on Iran and AI-related fears in the software sector drove markets down in the first quarter, but news of a potential cease-fire and excitement over mega-cap technology IPOs (initial public offerings) drove a massive recovery in the second quarter. read more...
Q1 2026: AI, the Iran War and the Fed – Uncertainty Increases
As 2026 began, investors had profited from three years of strong equity market returns and were cautiously optimistic about the market’s outlook for the year. Market-supportive Federal Reserve rate cuts were expected to continue, despite increasing levels of worry over the level of AI investment spending. read more...
Will This Rocket Ever Land?
Happy New Year! 2025 was the third straight year the financial markets posted strong gains. While the Liberation Day tariff announcement caused a dramatic April sell-off, the markets recovered and surged ahead, driven by the potential for a Federal Reserve rate-cutting cycle, enthusiasm about artificial intelligence and a strong economy. Will this rocket ship powering the equity markets ever come back to earth? read more...
2025 Year-end Financial Reminders
As we begin to approach the end of 2025, please note the following deadlines and reminders: Tax-Advantaged Accounts, Charitable Gifting Options, Year-end Tax Planning read more...
Q3 2025: Bull Market Run Continues
Markets powered higher in the third quarter of 2025 and are up significantly since the April 2025 Liberation Day lows. Since the recent market lows in October 2022, the S&P 500 is up nearly 90% . The S&P, Nasdaq and Dow stock market indices all hit all-time highs this quarter, driven by the likely beginning of an interest rate-cutting cycle by the Federal Reserve, continued investor exuberance around the potential of artificial intelligence, and economic strength. Are we overdue for a correction? read more...
July Highlights: Corporate Earnings, AI surge, Fed Update, Tariff Negotiations
It is officially the dog days of summer, and it is hot here in Colorado. US equities continued their hot streak in July as well, rallying to hit new all-time highs. Here are a few highlights from the past month in the financial markets. Enjoy the last few days of summer! read more...
Q2 2025: If You Don’t Like the Weather, Wait 15 Minutes
In Colorado we often hear people say: “If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes”. Weather here can change quickly, and beautiful sunny days can turn into intense thunderstorms - important to remember if you’re heading to a baseball game or going on a hike. Just as quickly, skies can clear and we often have rainbows after intense weather. read more...