Search
Cracks in the Banking System
There is a crisis brewing in the US banking system, but this new crisis is very different from 2008. Historically, banks struggled or...
Steve Coker, CFP
Mar 18, 20233 min read
Housing Prices: An Update
During 2022 the sale of single-family homes plummeted as mortgage rates rose above 7%. The rapid spike in interest rates, on the heels of...
Steve Coker, CFP
Feb 24, 20233 min read
The Economy Is Still Too Strong
Stocks stalled this week after several economic indicators showed a strong economy. Payrolls increased, the average workweek rose, and...
Steve Coker, CFP
Feb 17, 20232 min read
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
Jan 6, 20233 min read
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 30, 20222 min read
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
Dec 9, 20222 min read
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 12, 20221 min read
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
Nov 4, 20222 min read
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 21, 20222 min read
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 14, 20222 min read
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 7, 20221 min read
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
Oct 1, 20222 min read
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
Sep 23, 20221 min read
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...
Steve Coker, CFP
Aug 26, 20222 min read
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...
Carole Meitler
Jul 23, 20223 min read
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
Jul 15, 20222 min read
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 17, 20222 min read
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
Jun 10, 20223 min read
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
Apr 1, 20222 min read
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 19, 20222 min read
