Category Archive: 9a) Buy and Hold

Here is an encore presentation of the September 15, 2022 Lunch & Learn on the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Financial Aid) with Senior Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP, and Senior Risk Management Consultant, Chris Liebum. The FAFSA is a vital, first-step towards securing financial aid, either through loans or grants, for your college bound children. 1:30 - The First Step: Available Tools 2:00 - Don't Make These Four Big Mistakes 4:50 - Chris'...

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(9/15/22) The Markets' big 4% drop in markets on news August CPI was 8.3% was the follow up to Monday's 90% upside day and the "bullish upthrust" in the market. The resulting 90% down day completely reversed markets' gains, but markets were able to hold on to the rising trendline of higher lows. Futures are weak this morning, so a test of support at last week's lows will be important today. Add to the mix next week's FOMC meeting, and the...

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(9/15/22) Markets remain in a broad trading range, even as the Fed prepares for next week's FOMC Meeting: We're witnessing bear market behavior, grinding down investors. The VIX "fear gauge" is remarkably tame. Oil prices could rally to a range of $90-$95/bbl; Michael Lebowitz' motto shifts from "Don't Fight the Fed" to "Follow the Fed," and note its bullish- or bearish-stances. The Fed today (9/15) begins its...

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(9/14/22) August CPI clocks-in at a hotter-than-expected 8.3%, and the financial media goes nuts, claiming yesterday's sell-off as "markets in turmoil." The reality was, yes, a big 4% sell-off, but a one-day drop that can only be compared to pre-pandemic market action in June of 2020. But more importantly, markets were able to uphold the bullish, rising trend line that has been building for the past few months. That trend will be tested...

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(9/14/22) With the latest CPI print at 8.3%, the odds of bigger interest rate increases by the Fed just got better; markets are still within a rising bottom trendline against a declining line of bullishness: Decision time is coming this week, as volatility remains confined. Inflation actually slowed from this time last year; what if you could get more for your money? Lump-sum Pension or long-term payout? How CPI will impact Social Security COLA...

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(9/13/22) The CPI print for August came in at 8.3%, hotter than anticipated. The big question now is whether we've seen the peak of inflation? With markets now solely-dependent upon what the Fed does, rather than on fundamentals, a 75-basis point hike later this month is pretty much a lock. In fact, expectations are for the Fed to go up to 4 to 4.5% on the Fed funds rate. Slower economic growth, slower earnings growth, and higher unemployment are...

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(9/13/22) All eyes are on today's CPI Report (clocking-in at 8.3% Inflation) and its effects on the economy: What are the numbers within the number, and why does it matter? What will be the Fed's response, and what will it take for the Fed to ease up on rate hikes? The dichotomy of views among Bears vs Bulls: the problem of timing and duration; after 3 Bull Markets, why are 80% of Americans still broke? The White Multi-millionaire Minority. Dealing...

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