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Steve Coker, CFP
- Jan 6
- 3 min
2023 Outlook
I admit that I read very little mainline news, including business news. I decided long ago that most business news (Bloomberg, Forbes,...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Dec 30, 2022
- 2 min
2022 A Year in Review
Many investors are happy to see 2022 end! After a roaring 2021 driven by easy money and high levels of stimulus, the proverbial chickens...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Dec 9, 2022
- 2 min
Too Hot or Too Cold?
The stock market had a tough week as investors vacillated between worries that the economy is too hot, which would lead to more...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Nov 12, 2022
- 1 min
Inflation Relief
Stocks and bonds both rallied this week after Thursday’s release of the October Consumer Price Index, which was better than expected at...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Nov 4, 2022
- 2 min
The Almighty Dollar
It seems a constant barrage, “the US Dollar is in decline”, “the dollar’s days are numbered” and a host of similar headlines predicting...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Oct 21, 2022
- 2 min
The Housing Recession Deepens
Mortgage rates are still rising, reaching 7% this month from around 3% less than 12 months ago. As a result, mortgage applications for...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Oct 14, 2022
- 2 min
How High Will Interest Rates Go?
Both the PPI (Producer Price Index) and the CPI (Consumer Price Index) were higher than expected this week, showing that inflation is...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Oct 7, 2022
- 1 min
Bad is Good and Good is Bad
The S&P 500 gained a modest 1.5% this week, giving back by Friday almost all of the 6% two-day gain from Monday and Tuesday. The market...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Oct 1, 2022
- 2 min
Troubles in the UK and China
Markets were spooked this week by troubles in both the UK and China. The UK launched a program to boost the economy through a...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Sep 23, 2022
- 1 min
The Tightening Continues
As expected, the Federal Reserve Raised rates by 0.75% this week to a target range of 3% - 3.25%, ratcheting interest rates higher in an...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Aug 26, 2022
- 2 min
Powell Keeps the Market on Edge
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell spoke at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole conference on Friday. His speech was relatively short, and...



Carole Meitler
- Jul 23, 2022
- 3 min
Our Top 5 Things To Consider Doing In A Down Market
With the S&P 500 down over 20% this year so far and the NASDAQ even more so, many are understandably concerned. However, there are some...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Jul 15, 2022
- 2 min
Bonds Have Had a Terrible Year (and that is what makes them attractive)
There is no question that bonds have had a terrible year. How terrible? The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index has fallen over 10%...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Jun 17, 2022
- 2 min
It’s Official: We are in a bear market
The S&P 500 Index closed at 3,666 on Thursday, down 24% from its record high of 4,796, officially entering a bear market. Investors are...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Jun 10, 2022
- 3 min
Who is the Federal Reserve and Why Are They Messing with Interest Rates?
If you are someone who enjoys reading the news and keeping up with what is going on in the world, you may have come across more than a...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Apr 1, 2022
- 2 min
Lowering your Medicare Premiums Due to a Life-Changing Event
Many retirees are surprised to learn that Medicare premiums are variable, increasing considerably for higher income individuals. The...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Mar 19, 2022
- 2 min
Investing Basics: How does the Fed Funds Rate Impact Interest Rates?
On Wednesday March 16th Federal Reserve raised rates for the first time since 2018. The increase was widely anticipated and fairly small,...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Mar 5, 2022
- 2 min
More Inflation, Less Growth
I am old enough to remember the 70’s, when gas lines were common, and inflation was eating away at earnings. Unfortunately, the current...



Carole Meitler
- Feb 26, 2022
- 2 min
Market Volatility and Investment Timing
Ideally, wouldn’t we all love a crystal ball that could tell us when to buy low and sell high? However, as famed mutual fund manager,...



Steve Coker, CFP
- Feb 13, 2022
- 2 min
Inflation Persists!
The annual inflation rate in the US accelerated to 7.5% in January, the highest level since February of 1982 and well above market...