The recent correction in the S&P 500 Index’s technology sector presents a unique challenge to markets following a historic stretch of outperformance as technology’s share of the market has ballooned in size. Despite September weakness in this sector that has dragged the broader market lower, we expect technology leadership to continue given supportive underlying fundamental and technical conditions. A September to Forget During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has played a curious role in mitigating downside during bouts of volatility, while also posting considerable outperformance when markets rebounded, as many viewed the sector as relatively well insulated from the economic effects of the virus. After a “melt-up” environment for tech during the month of August, the sector so far has corrected more than 12% from its prior high in September, a historically weak month for the S&P 500. Investors are asking if the weakness will continue. Fundamentals are Supportive The question of whether technology’s strong performance since March has put it in bubble territory has received a lot of attention in the financial media as well as with investors. Although we acknowledge that some of the better-performing technology and technology-related stocks have been on an upward trajectory similar to that of the late 1990s until the recent sell-off, we don’t believe technology is in a bubble. We would first point out how strong fundamentals are right now. Earnings estimates for the sector have already moved above their pre-pandemic highs. While there is risk that these expectations may not be achieved, the gap between technology sector earnings and earnings from the entire S&P 500—which includes technology—is impressive [Figure 1]. During the second quarter of 2020, technology was one of only three sectors to

As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to consider strategies that could help you reduce your tax bill. But most tax tips, suggestions, and strategies are of little practical help without a good understanding of your current tax situation. This is particularly true for year-end planning. You can’t know where to go next if you don’t know where you are now. So take a break from the usual fall chores and pull out last year’s tax return, along with your current pay stubs and account statements. Doing a few quick projections will help you estimate your present tax situation and identify any glaring issues you’ll need to address while there’s still time. When it comes to withholding, don’t shortchange yourself If you project that you’ll owe a substantial amount when you file this year’s income tax return, ask your employer to increase your federal income tax withholding amounts. If you have both wage and consulting income and are making estimated tax payments, there’s an added benefit to doing this: Even though the additional withholding may need to come from your last few paychecks, it’s generally treated as having been withheld evenly throughout the year. This may help you avoid paying an estimated tax penalty due to underwithholding. Of course, if you’ve significantly overpaid your taxes and estimate you’ll be receiving a large refund, you can reduce your withholding accordingly, putting money back in your pocket this year instead of waiting for your refund check to come next year. Will you suffer the alternative? Originally intended to prevent the very rich from using “loopholes” to avoid paying taxes, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) now reaches further into the ranks

Many self-improvement goals focus on stability and personal growth — and financial goals are often no different. From buying your first home to saving for retirement, planning your finances can also help you work toward your personal goals. Learn more about why self-improvement is so important and how good financial planning will complement the goals you’ve set. Why Self-Improvement? Self-improvement is never one-size-fits-all. This means that no matter how happy you are with your current life, there can always be room for improvement. And by making small, incremental changes, over time, you can shift your lifestyle and your state of mind. Self-improvement can take many different forms. For some, it may mean replacing bad habits with better ones. For others, it can involve striving toward a tangible goal, like learning a second language or hiking the Appalachian Trail. By having something to consistently work towards, you’ll be focused on solutions, not mired in the problems of the past. How Financial Planning Can Help Self-improvement goals tend to focus on personal or vocational habits, from waking up earlier to joining a trade association and attending networking events. But some goals—like buying a home, finding your dream job, or paying for that vacation you’ve always wanted to take—can also implicate financial planning principles. By tracking your money more carefully and prioritizing your goals, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle whatever life can throw at you. Set up a spending plan. For many, “budget” implies the same restrictive connotations as “diet.” But in reality, a budget is no more than a spending plan, helping you decide how much money to set aside toward certain expenses and savings goals. List your priorities. If you’re eager

When seasons change, the major central banks meet. The Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of Japan all met in September to discuss their outlooks on the economy and monetary policy going forward. Key observations from the central bank meetings include maintaining policy while keeping an eye on COVID-19. Federal Reserve Expectations for major changes at the Federal Reserve (Fed) September meeting were low. The Fed had completed its framework review at the annual central bank symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in late August and announced its shift toward flexible average inflation targeting then. While no major policy decisions were made at the September meeting, the Fed did alter the language of its guidance to align with the change in inflation targeting, allowing for potentially higher inflation before it would consider raising rates. The Fed “dot plot,” a graphical projection of when Fed members expect to see higher rates, revealed that voting members expect rates to remain at the zero-bound until at least 2023. The Fed also continues to express concern for downside risks to the economy. Although the Fed has reiterated that negative policy rates seen in Europe and Japan are not under consideration, adjustments to the policy rate are only one mechanism for further easing of financial conditions. The Fed also can provide additional support through adjustments to its asset purchase programs or changes to other available liquidity facilities. However, the current stance may leave the Fed vulnerable to being blindsided by a better-than-expected recovery, which may have longer-term implications on inflationary forces. European Central Bank The European Central Bank (ECB) chose to leave its policy rate unchanged and also chose not to revise its primary COVID-19 relief package,

A traditional IRA offers a great way to shield income from taxation while boosting your retirement accounts. Meanwhile, a Roth IRA can let you pay tomorrow’s taxes today. But how can workers who are eligible to contribute to either type of account decide where to allocate their retirement funds? Learn more about contributing to an IRA at every age and stage of your career. IRA Contribution and Deductibility Limits All workers who have any earned income are eligible to contribute to a traditional IRA (at least up to the total amount of their earned income for the year).1 For many taxpayers, the ability to deduct IRA contributions can mean the difference between taxes owed and a tax refund. However, this IRA contribution isn’t tax-deductible for everyone. If you’re covered by a retirement plan at work and your household income exceeds the following levels,2 your deduction may be limited or eliminated: For single or head of household taxpayers, a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $65,000 to $75,000 will limit the IRA deduction, while a MAGI of more than $75,000 will eliminate it completely; For taxpayers who are married filing jointly, a MAGI of $104,000 to $124,000 will limit the IRA deduction, while a MAGI of more than $124,000 will eliminate it completely; and For taxpayers who are married filing separately, the IRA deduction is eliminated when the taxpayer’s MAGI exceeds $10,000. Another retirement savings vehicle is the Roth IRA. This IRA does not permit deductible contributions but instead allows for tax-free growth—that is, after turning 59.5, the account holder can withdraw any amount from the Roth without paying a dime in tax.3 Taxpayers who are married filing jointly can contribute

According to the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, as of 2018 there were 12.3 million women-owned businesses in the United States (representing 40% of all businesses), employing over 9 million people and generating $1.8 trillion in sales.1 Many of these businesses started small, begun by women seeking the exciting and potentially rewarding experience of “being their own boss” while doing something they enjoy. If you’re thinking about starting your own business, you’ll need a sound plan, a little creativity, personal dedication, and probably some form of financial investment. Before you make the commitment to starting your own business, here are a few important factors to consider. Personal investment Why do you want to start a business? For the most part, you should believe you have a great idea that you are passionate about. Giving your business a chance to be successful will require a personal commitment and probably some sacrifices. Are you prepared to invest the time, money, and personal resources to get your business started? As you might imagine, there’s a lot that goes into starting a business. You’ll have to do some market research to determine the potential size of your market, identify the competition, and set the price of the goods or services you’ll offer. You should develop a written business plan, research the best legal entity to use for your business, and understand what licenses and/or permits you’ll need. You’ll have to figure out how much capital you’ll need to start your business, and where that capital will come from. Type of business What kind of business do you want? Do you have a unique idea, or do you want to get involved in a type

Markets have been on a wild ride in September so far, with a strong first two days of the month followed by one of the sharpest 10% corrections ever for the NASDAQ. The case can be made that stocks may move higher over the rest of 2020 despite a number of risks, including a possible increase in COVID-19 cases, heightened US-China tensions, and election uncertainty. Wild Ride After virtually no volatility since March, market-watchers got a heavy dose of it with the recent three-day 10% correction in the NASDAQ—one of the fastest corrections ever, and the fastest ever from a record high. Historically, the NASDAQ has tended to rise after fast corrections from new highs [FIGURE 1]. Stocks were higher 6 and 12 months after those corrections more than 90% of the time going back 40 years, with the end of the 1990s bull market the glaring exception. Many of these examples took place during the technology boom in the late 1990s, but the history is still instructive. Even with the 4% drop in the S&P 500 Index over the four trading sessions last week, and the nearly 7% drop from September 3 to September 8, the index is still up from the March 23 lows and higher year to date, as of September 11, 2020. The Case for More Gains The more difficult question is where stocks will go from here. We continue to believe stocks may be pricing in an overly optimistic recovery scenario in the near term and work is still needed for stocks to grow into their current valuations. However, we think the case for stocks to end the year higher from where we are now is

As you get older and closer to retirement, your financial practices need to shift slightly as you transition from working and saving to relying on your nest egg. As you approach this stage of your life, you need to take steps to protect your wealth. Keep these tips in mind. 1. Shift Toward More Conservative Investments As a general rule of thumb, you can tolerate a higher level of risk when you are younger than when you are older. As you get older, you should shift from high-risk toward more conservative investments. High risk investments have the potential to net you a lot of profits, but they also have a heightened chance of losing you money. In contrast, low-risk investments offer smaller but more consistent gains. When you’re young, you have time to weather the ups and downs of high risk investments, but as you get older, you need a safer, more predictable portfolio. 2. Invest in Long Term Care Insurance Unfortunately, aging can also usher in health problems, and nursing homes can easily cost $100,000 or more per year. If you want to ensure that you won’t lose your assets if you need to move into a nursing home, you may want to invest in long-term care insurance. Keep in mind that Medicare does not cover staying in a nursing home. Please keep in mind that insurance companies alone determine insurability and some people may be deemed uninsurable because of health reasons, occupation, and lifestyle choices. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company. 3. Consider Delaying Social Security Payments Whether you need to live on Social Security payments or plan to invest the funds,

As the threat of the coronavirus swept through the nation in March, many businesses sent their workers home, and now, as fall looms around the corner, many people are continuing to work from home. If you’re working home longer than expected, you are not alone. Want to make the best of this new situation? Check out these tips. Optimize Your Work Space for Productivity If working from home is likely to continue indefinitely, consider setting up a more permanent workspace. Invest in a desk, a comfortable chair, a better computer, some inspirational art to hang on the walls, or whatever helps make your space feel more conducive to productivity. Miss the buzz of the office? Then, you may want to look into co-working spaces with socially distant protocols. This set up can be a great middle-ground between going into the office and staying at home all day. Consider a Permanent Work-From-Home Arrangement Being in limbo can be hard. If you’re not sure when the office is going to open again and you enjoy working from home, ask your boss if you can make a permanent transition. Many employers may be open to this idea because it can save them money in office costs. To successfully negotiate an arrangement, you may want to be open to a flexible schedule. Then, once the office reopens, you can do part-time at home and part-time in the office with your colleagues. Crunch the Numbers Whether you plan to work from home permanently or only until the office reopens, you may want to take some time to see if working from home is saving you money or costing you money. If you’re spending extra money

September is National Life Insurance Awareness month. And while most of us likely recognize that life insurance provides us peace of mind and security, there may be a few things you don’t know. Life Insurance is Not Just for the Young Many people – but not enough – will buy life insurance in young adulthood. But life coverage provides some benefits even as you close in on age 60. Let’s say you’re 57. Consider these four questions before deciding on a type of life insurance. What do You Need? At 57, you are either retired early or close to retirement. Your family most likely depends less on you as your children, hopefully, live on their own, out of the house. Regardless, you probably still want to provide in part for your family – the reason life insurance remains important. With luck, you suffer from no medical ailments. You easily think your good health will continue forever – but illness happens, and happens more with age. Other events later in life bring reasons for life insurance too. Many young adults often secure coverage after marrying or having a baby. But the number of American women giving birth in their 40s continues to rise as does the number of men and women waiting longer to marry. What is Term Life? Life policy needs vary with your age. A term life policy appeals to many ages, particularly someone 57. Once a term policy expires, you decide whether to renew it or to let the coverage end. In addition to being cheaper than whole life or other life insurance types, term offers protection against a number of different bad scenarios and sells for several