Markets rarely turn on a single headline. More often, trouble builds through small inconsistencies, subtle shifts in behavior, and signals that do not quite line up with the optimism embedded in asset prices. As we close out 2025, a growing number of those cautionary signals are flashing simultaneously. None of this guarantees a downturn. But taken together, the risks heading…
Most investors use the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 as shorthand for “the market.” These two benchmarks dominate headlines and shape daily sentiment. But together, they still represent only a narrow slice of the global equity landscape. Understanding how major indexes differ—and what drives their long-term returns—can give investors a much more accurate picture of how wealth…
I spent most of this morning perusing the National Retail Federation’s latest monthly sales report. It’s not exactly light reading – give me a Clive Cussler novel any day. Still, this spending barometer reveals quite a bit about the general state of the economy and carries broad implications that ripple far beyond the retail sector. In any case, the NRF…
Last week, a reader asked me a deceptively simple question: “How are ordinary people supposed to invest with so much economic uncertainty looming?” It’s a fair concern—and one I think about every day. There is no shortage of potential triggers. The federal debt is rising at an exponential pace. Foreign governments are slowly diversifying away from the U.S. dollar. Those trends won’t…
The final weeks of the year are the perfect time to give your finances a tune-up. Taxes, investments, and savings all come with deadlines — and missing them could mean lost money or missed opportunities. A few strategic adjustments before December 31 can strengthen your portfolio and set you up for a better 2026. Here are eight key moves worth…
No one enjoys seeing red in their portfolio—but turning paper losses into tax savings is one way to make the most of a volatile year. November’s seasonal strength may even give you better exit points before year-end. I’d rather be feasting on gains than harvesting losses, but smart tax strategy is still part of successful investing. Don’t wait until the…
After nearly two years of interest rate hikes aimed at cooling inflation, the Federal Reserve has officially changed course. In September, the Fed cut its benchmark rate by a quarter point to a range of 4.00%–4.25%, citing softening labor markets and growing risks to the broader economy. Core inflation is now running near 3%—well below its 2022 peak—and markets are…
The stock market’s recent strength has been attributed to many things. First among them is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) as an economic force. I would argue that there is another economic force that has been unleashed on the world that may turn out to have even more economic value than AI. It goes by the name glucagon-like peptide-1,…
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) programs have quickly gone from fintech novelty to mainstream payment method, reshaping how consumers shop and borrow. What began as an alternative to credit cards is now embedded across nearly every major retail platform—from Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) and Walmart (NYSE: WMT) to countless online boutiques—promising flexibility, simplicity, and instant gratification. But as the sector grows, so does the debate:…
Common. By definition, it sounds plain. Ordinary. On the other hand, preferred has a much nicer connotation. It’s a descriptor indicative of an added perk or upgrade. The same is true in the financial world. Common and preferred stocks both convey equity ownership in a business. But while the former grants voting rights, the latter carries something even better: preferential dividend treatment.…