Can stocks and interest rates go up at the same time? Yes, they can, and they often do. Right now, we are in a period of recovery from economic shutdowns across the globe. As companies are forced to raise prices in 2021 and meet a return in consumer demand, we are watching inflation like a hawk. Specifically, we pay very close attention to the 10-year treasury note yield as our sentiment barometer.
Phew! We soon will be able to put 2020 behind us. The financial markets have been just as abnormal as most other facets of our lives this year. All the relevant U.S. stock indices endured the fastest bear market declines in history…just 16 days! It was swift and severe, yet short-lived, as the markets repaired most of the damage in the form of a V-shape pattern despite most Wall Street “experts” predicting an L-shaped recovery.
A new client recently asked me what I felt was more important – financial planning or investment management. To some extent, they intertwine. Still, it’s a valid question that deserved an honest answer.
Hello friends, Social distancing affords a person a lot of time to reflect on life, doesn’t it? This time spent at home with family has been a great blessing. Life’s pace has slowed down, and that’s the solace I didn’t know I needed. I hope you’ve found your own moments of solace amidst this abnormal reality, as well.
No more landlines for us! We have eliminated our landline phones at the Future Bright office. They were used too sparingly to justify paying for them anymore. As such, the (218) 359-2305 number no longer exists. Most of you have my cell number, but in case you do not, please write this number down or add it into your contacts: Ross Almlie Cell 701-306-7631
Contrary to what logic might suggest, the most difficult time to be an investor is when the financial markets are in the late stages of a multi-year upward trend. As we witness market levels hit record highs, the appetite for adding new money to investments can start to wane for fear that the most opportune time to buy has already passed us by. It’s an innate thought process. Since we were little, we’ve all been taught that too much of a good thing is not always a good thing, and it’s a legitimate lesson that I’m sure we’ve all learned multiple times in our lives.
