Entries by Amanda Hale

The Importance of Santa Coming to Town

As the holiday season begins, we are nearing what is commonly referred to as the “Santa Claus Rally” in the stock market. Specifically, this rally encompasses the final five trading days of the current year and the initial two days of the subsequent year. For instance, in 2023, the seven-day Santa Claus Rally is set […]

Inflation –CPI vs Real Time Indicators

On Tuesday, we received the final Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for 2023, providing insights into November’s numbers. The CPI figure for November showed a 3.1% increase compared to the same month last year, a slight decrease from the 3.2% reported in October. In essence, inflation continues to follow a favorable path, aligning with the […]

On the Street Monthly – Cautiously Optimistic

If you’ve ever cornered a market forecaster and inquired about their outlook, you’ve likely encountered the phrase “Cautiously Optimistic.” Admittedly, we’ve used these words with investors, and I find myself ambivalent about them. As investors, we embrace risk, so a degree of caution is inherent. Yet, we willingly take risks because, historically, there has always […]

The Financial Wisdom of Charlie Munger

The investment world lost a legend this week with the passing of Charlie Munger.  He was due to turn 100 years old on January 1st, and while he was 1 month short of that milestone, he provided an incredible amount of wisdom over his 99+ years of life. Today, we want to revisit our Top […]

Annual Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner

As we gear up for tonight’s Thanksgiving dinner, what better conversation starter could there be than discussing the average cost of this dinner? The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has conducted a survey that provides insights into the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner for a party of 10 each year. The positive note is that […]

Investments Returns Before, During and After a Recession

Predicting an economic recession tends to be a fool’s errand, as some of the brightest minds had predicted the chance of a US recession to be 100% chance last October in the next 12 months. We are 13 months past that prediction with no recession in sight.  US GDP actually increased 4.9% in Q3 2023. […]

A Guide to Open Enrollment to Optimize Benefits for 2024

Open enrollment season is once again upon us, marking the period for employees to make important decisions about their benefits packages. This annual opportunity provides individuals with the chance to reassess their current health, dental, vision among other essential benefits, ensuring they align with their evolving needs. To make the most of this period, it’s […]