Reverse Retirement: Are You Prepared?
What do you think of when you think of retirement? A relaxing vacation on the beach, daiquiri in hand, watching the sun go down over the water? Or how about a brisk hike through the Alps, taking in the bright blue rivers and jagged snow-capped mountain peaks? For most people that’s the dream, but for more and more that’s...
Beware the Bond Bubble
It’s no surprise to most investors that bonds, like stocks, have been in a massive boom market over the past decade. In fact...
Will President Trump Take the Blame When Stock Markets Crash?
Stock markets continue to reach record high levels, but it’s only a matter of time before they crash back to earth. When they do...
The Push for Pensions Has Returned
Recent reports that Congress had considered significant reductions to 401(k) contributions have spurred calls from some quarters for a return to pension plans. But while much discussion of pensions paints them in a nostalgic light, the reality of pensions for most people is far less rosy. Yes, it would be nice to be able to retire and continue being...
Amazon’s Second Headquarters: Another Sign of the Bubble?
Online retail giant Amazon announced a nationwide search for its second headquarters, looking to complement its existing headquarters in Seattle. The company is looking to locate its second headquarters in a metropolitan area with more than 1 million people, with close proximity to an international flight hub, good public transit, and the ability to attract a talented and educated...
Stock Markets Continue to Reach Records
Stock markets continued to reach record levels on Friday as investor sentiment was buoyed by reports that tax reform proposals had passed their first hurdle in the Senate. Investors also were cheered by reports that President Trump is leaning towards picking Federal Reserve Board Governor Jerome Powell as the next Chairman of the Fed’s Board of Governors. Markets undoubtedly...
30 Years After Black Monday: Can It Happen Again?
Thirty years ago today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered its largest single-day drop in history, losing 508 points, nearly 23% of its value. With the Dow currently hitting new records and standing at over 23,000 points, are we poised for a repeat of Black Monday? It seems as though stock market growth won’t ever end. It was only in...
It’s Never Been Easier to Save for Retirement
Most Americans understand that saving for retirement is important. Over the past several years, increased amounts of education and understanding have helped Americans save up more and more money for retirement. Total retirements assets have risen from $11.6 trillion in 2000 to nearly $27 trillion today. Thanks to the increased focus on the importance of retirement savings, the increased...
Americans Getting Comfortable With Debt Again
In another sign of the growing economic bubble, Moody’s has flagged growing debt levels among Americans as a rising risk for financial institutions. Households considered to have high debt levels are those whose debt ratio is greater than 40%. Those households in the lowest income quintile have the highest percentage of high debt burdens, with over 20% facing high debt....
Nine Global Banking Giants Face Challenges to Profitability, IMF Says
The safety of global systemically important banks (GSIBs) has improved significantly since the Great Recession, according to the latest Global Financial Stability Report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued earlier this week. However, roughly a third of them, representing about $17 trillion in asset size, could “struggle to achieve sustainable profitability, underscoring ongoing challenges and medium-term vulnerabilities.” The IMF’s...