Market Commentary: A Muddled Economic Picture, Volatile Markets and Rising Inflation
The U.S. economic picture is looking more muddled than expected. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.8% last week. Used automobile prices rose quickly in response to the semiconductor shortage limiting new car production and demographic trends boosting demand. Retail sales were expected to bui …
How Life Insurance Should Fit Into Your Financial Plan
Watch this webinar hosted by Carson’s Director of Retirement Research Jamie Hopkins and Vice President of Insurance Matt Lewis to learn more about how life insurance should fit into your financial plan.
Market Commentary: April Jobs Report Disappoints, Falling Short of Expectations
The U.S. job market added only 266,000 jobs in April, missing expectations of nearly 1 million. March’s gain of more than 900,000 new jobs was revised down to 770,000. The data show the U.S. job market slowed rather than accelerated in April. The leisure and hospitality industry experience …
What You Need to Know About Insurance
We put together a fact sheet “What You Need to Know About Insurance” to help you determine if you have the right insurance coverage for your and your family’s needs. We’ll look at life insurance, homeowner’s insurance, medical insurance and more to help answer your questions: What is it? Wh …
Market Commentary: GDP Surges After Stimulus, Fed Reiterates Low Interest Rates
U.S. GDP surged an annualized 6.4% in the first quarter (Figure 1). Two rounds of government stimulus helped the economy climb within 0.9% of its all-time high. If expected growth is included, the economy remains 3.7% below pre-COVID trends. Personal income jumped 21.1% from February as a …
Market Commentary: S&P Shows Strong Growth as Housing Prices Continue to Climb
S&P 500 earnings are exceeding elevated expectations. Before earnings season began, S&P 500 earnings were expected to grow 23.6% as businesses rallied from lower earnings during the COVID shutdowns from one year ago. Based on the first quarter of companies reporting, earnings are n …
Market Commentary: Initial Jobless Claims at the Lowest in a Year, Retail Sales Surged
The U.S. economy seems to be returning to firmer footing based on economic data released last week. Initial jobless claims fell to 576,000 and are the lowest they have been since mid-March 2020. The number of people receiving some form of government jobless support dropped from 18.2 millio …
Market Commentary: Inflation Could Be On the Horizon, Service Businesses Make a Comeback
Producer prices climbed 4.2% last week (Figure 1). Energy prices contributed to the largest gain since the index rose 4.5% in September 2011. The jobs market continues to see a high level of initial jobless claims while steady progress is being made in reducing the number of unemployed rec …
Getting the Most Out of Your College Savings Plan
Carson’s Senior Wealth Planner Beth Schanou and Managing Partner of Wealth Solutions Jamie Hopkins hosted a webinar about how to get the most out of your college savings strategy. Click Here to Watch the Webinar
Market Commentary: Jobs Market Shatters Expectations, Housing Prices on the Rise
The U.S. jobs market roared back to life in March. The economy added or reclaimed 916,000 jobs, shattering expectations of a 150,000 increase. Workers being recalled or hired to fill openings at restaurants and bars contributed 176,000 jobs to March’s gains. Previous months were revised hig …
