Blog
On The Mark: Back to the Future 60/40
On The Mark: Back to the Future 60/40 As students head back to school getting ready for anotheryear of learning, we question whether we should learnfrom history and whether it’s time to go back to the 60/40portfolio for future...
Read MoreThe “Artificial” Magic in the Stock Market Rally
The “Artificial” Magic in the Stock Market Rally The stock market (S&P 500 index) is up nearly 17% for thefirst half and has proven surprisingly resilient despitenumerous challenges. These include ongoing recessionworries,...
Read MoreAvoiding a “Self-inflicted Recession”
Avoiding a “Self-inflicted Recession”Recession fearsAfter the dramatic events in the banking sector, many investors are worried about a potential recession, and for agood reason. Recessions have real-world impacts...
Read MoreOn the Mark: The Retractable (Debt) Ceiling
The Retractable (Debt) CeilingThe clock is ticking on US debt ceiling negotiations.Treasury Secretary Yellen informed Congress that cashbalances are estimated to run out by early June, the socalled X-datei. With the deadline fast...
Read MoreOn the Mark: Demise of the US Dollar: Greatly Exaggerated or Destiny?
Demise of the US Dollar: Greatly Exaggerated or Destiny?Dollar fearsAfter a decade of relative strength, the US dollar hasdeclined sharply over the last six months. This hascoincided with media reports that the world may reducedollar...
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On the Mark Special Edition: Fed Decision - Aiming for Stability
Fed Decision - Aiming for StabilityThe Road So FarOver the last two weeks, the FDIC assumed control ofSilicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Both banks hadexperienced losses in their fixed-income portfolios andwere unable to attract...
Read MoreOn the Mark Special Edition: Banking Crisis Averted, But Risks Remain
Why did this happen?In its simplest form, banks gather deposits from clients (individuals and corporations), and they pay those clients a short-term interest rate. They then invest some of those deposits in fixed income securities,...
Read MoreOn the Mark: Opportunity in Growth
Opportunity in Growth, Value, or Both?Defining Growth & ValueFor many, the growth and value styles of investingmay be foreign terms. Let’s begin with definingthem.Growth companies tend to be those with revenuesgrowing faster than...
Read MoreOn the Mark: Dooming Debt or Déjà Vu?
What is The Debt Ceiling?On January 19, the US government reached its legal $31.4trillion (T) debt limit1. The debt ceiling is about paying thebill on purchases already made, just like paying your creditcard bill. The difference,...
Read MoreOn the Mark: Three Takeaways from 2022
Three Takeaways from 2022o 2022 was an exceptionally bad year as inflation andhigher interest rates wreaked havoc on markets.o 2022 is the only time in history where stocks andbonds each fell by more than 10% and eventraditional...
Read MoreThe Path of that Inflation - It's all about that base
Whether it's the price of bread, gasoline, or rent, we all feel inflation. As consumers, we often feel inflation differently than the Fed measures inflation. In this month's On The Mark, we explore three aspects of inflation – price change
Read MoreWhat's the Alternative?
What's the Alternative?This year has been a head-scratcher for most investors, given it has seen the worst period of returns for bonds while alsoseeing an equity bear market. Alternative investments have been used by institutional...
Read MoreIs the 60/40 Portfolio Dead or Just Dazed?
Is the 60/40 Portfolio Dead or Just Dazed?Key Takeaways• 2022 has dealt a blow to the 60/40 portfolio. Whilelosses in a 60/40 portfolio are not unusual, losses instocks and bonds simultaneously are unusual.• Since 1928,...
Read MoreThe Bear Market is Back, Will it Hibernate Soon?
The Bear Market is Back, Will it Hibernate Soon?After a summer rally, volatility is back in full swing. 2022 has challenged investors’ patience as almost every investmenthas had negative returns, with the exception of...
Read MoreMidterms & Markets
Midterms & MarketsKey Takeaways• Historically, midterm elections have cost theincumbent presidential party seats in the House ofRepresentatives.• During midterm election years, market returns tend tobe range-bound and...
Read MoreDefend with an Inflation Buffer
Defend with an Inflation BufferWith US inflation experiencing record highs and financial markets in correction territory, investors and their portfolios arebeing stress tested for the first time since the pandemic-induced drawdown of...
Read MoreConfused about the Economy? It's OK
Confused About the Economy? It’s OK.Record high inflation and negative economic growth, asmeasured by US GDP growth, have fueled recessionfears. The bond market is similarly flashing recessionarysignals. Despite this, the S&P 500...
Read MoreInvesting is Hard
Investing is HardInvesting seems easy when markets rally and are generally calm. But markets don’t just move up or in a single direction.Markets adapt, gyrate and create new cycles with each being slightly different than the one...
Read More3 Actions to Consider When Volatility Strikes
When volatility strikes and stock markets decline, it can rattle even the most experienced investors. As behavioral science tells us, the pain of an investment loss is felt more keenly than the enjoyment of an investment gain.
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Are we in a Recession (Y/N?)
Are we in a Recession (Y/N?) Depends on who you ask. That's pretty confusing, right? Let's discuss.
Read MoreWill Inflation Last Forever
Will Inflation Last ForeverHighlights:• Inflation hit 9.1% in June—its highest level in four decades.1• The Fed raised interest rates in an effort to slow US growth and moderate inflation. Fed officials are...
Read MoreNot All Recessions Are Created Equal
Not All Recessions Are Created EqualInvestors are currently grappling with the question of whether the recent rise in interest rates will lead to an economicslowdown (soft landing) or an economic recession (hard landing). While the...
Read MoreRevisiting Bonds: The interest rate conundrum
Revisiting Bonds: The interest rate conundrumThe Federal Reserve’s recent attempt to tame inflation has resulted in a sharp decline in bond prices. The current situation is incredibly unique. Through May 31, 2022, core bonds, as...
Read MoreIs a recession needed to tame the bear?
Is a recession needed to tame the bear?There’s a “hurricane” coming for the US economy. Headlines from titans like Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase CEO, havefueled predictions about the next recession. This has clearly...
Read MoreBear Essentials: A Historical Guide
Bear Essentials: A Historical GuideA bear market occurs when stocks fall 20 percent from a recent high. On Monday, June 13, 2022, the S&P 500 fell 22 percent from the last high set on January 3, 2022, thus officially entering a...
Read MoreHistory of Bear and Bull markets
History of Bear and Bull marketsBehavioral science tells us current events have a greater impact on our perception and decisions than the past. In 2022,investors are faced with extreme uncertainty given record inflation and recession...
Read MoreShould Investors Bail on Bonds?
Bonds are off to a rough start in 2022. The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, the proxy for core US bonds, has declined nearly 6% in the first three months of 2022. This loss is compounded by those from 2021, when the index returned - 1.5%
Read MoreQ1 Quarterly Financial Update
The First quarter of 2022 was rocky, the worst we've seen since 20201. Inflation, Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, and concerns about Federal Reserve interest rate hikes all contributed to the volatility and market losses.
Read MoreRussia-Ukraine War: The Crude Awakening
Russia-Ukraine War: The Crude Awakening The Russia-Ukraine war has led to higher market volatility. However, the cost of an extended war and severe sanctions are likely to choke Russia's small economy.
Read MoreUkraine, What comes next?
Some perspective on the grim situation in Ukraine and what could happen in markets.
Read MoreAging Parents Tip #4
When is it time to step in? Welcome back to our final video in our series on Aging Parents. When is it appropriate or necessary to jump in? Today's video will offer up a few things to look for.
Read MoreAging Parents Tip #3
Power of Attorney What is a POA and why should I have one? Welcome back to the 3rd in our 4-part series on Aging Parents. There can be a lot of confusion about what a power of attorney is and why it is so important to have in place.
Read MoreAging Parents Tip #1
Aging Parents Tip #1: How to start the conversation. So the question is - How do we start a conversation with our aging parents? Wills, estate plans, overall debt situations, investments for their retirement. These might be...
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Weekly Market Insights: Earnings Build; GDP Slows
A fresh wave of positive corporate earnings surprises sent markets to new record highs last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.40%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.33%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked...
Read MoreThe Downs Syndrome Awareness Walk
At Greenstone Financial Services we love to give back to our community. What a honor it was to be a part of the Down Syndrome Awareness walk at the Milwaukee County Zoo. It was their 25th anniversary to help raise awareness , and...
Read MoreSeptember Is National Life Insurance Awareness Month
It’s time for your life insurance checkup.September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...
Read More529 Plan Contributions
In most states, December 31 is an important deadline for parents and grandparents contributing to 529 plans. To qualify for a state tax credit or deduction this year related to your contribution, you may have to meet that year-end...
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Are You Ready for the Second Act of the S.E.C.U.R.E. Act?
Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also referred to as the second version of the SECURE Act, or SECURE Act 2.0.As the bill moves from the House of Representatives to the Senate, many...
Read MoreClient Appreciation Picnic
We are getting so excited for our Client Appreciation Picnic! Great food, Great fun, and Great conversation! If you haven't sign up yet there is still time. Hope to see you on August 7th. Click the link for more details and sign up....
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2021 Retirement Confidence Survey
Will your retirement dreams match your reality?That's perhaps the most critical question to ask people who are currently retired. Was your retirement what you expected, or was it something else?For more than 30 years, the Employee...
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This Memorial Day...
Memorial Day is so much more than a long weekend. It is a chance for us to remember those who gave all for this great nation and the freedoms it offers.This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the lives and legacies of those who...
Read MoreHappy Blogging for Greenstone Financial
I am super thrilled for the new things that are happening for Greenstone Financial Services, one of which is this monthly blog. What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or...
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