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Unemployment numbers continue to increase as large corporations continue to cut jobs. 

U.S. Unemployment Claims Remain Elevated Above 800,000
- Sarah Chaney, The Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2020

U.S. unemployment claims remain elevated at 840,000 last week as the labor market flashes sigs of a slowdown and more layoffs become permanent. 

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Additional pandemic support may ensure the economy continues to improve. 

Fed's Powell Says U.S. Faces 'Tragic' Risks From Doing Too Little to Support Economy
-Nick Timiraos, The Wall Street Journal, October 6, 2020

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned of potentially tragic economic consequences if Congress and the White House don't provide additional support to households and businesses disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

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SPACs have really been on the rise this year. It is interesting to see how they have done historically. 

2020 is the year of the SPAC -- yet traditional IPOs offer better returns, report finds
-Ciara Linnane, Market Watch, September 16, 2020

After a record 82 initial public offerings of special purpose acquisition corporations - known by the acronym SPAC - 2020 seems to have upended the traditional IPO market, yet most offer lower returns on average than conventional deals, according to a report. 

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Fed changing the goalpost on inflation target

Fed Unanimously Approves Shift on Inflation Goal, Ushering in Longer Era of Low Rates
-Nick Timiraos, The Wall Street Journal, August 27, 2020

The Federal Reserve unanimously approved on Thursday a new strategy that will effectively set aside a practice it has followed for more than three decades to pre-emptively lift interest rates to head off higher inflation.  

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Governments continue trying to secure medications developed to help with the recovery of Covid-19.

US Secures world stock of key Covid19 drug remdesivir
-Sarah Boseley, The Guardian, June 30, 2020

The US has bought up virtually all the stocks for the next three months of one of the two drugs proven to work against Covid-19, leaving none for the UK, Europe or most of the rest of the world. 

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Many investors are continuing to proceed with caution, closely monitoring the recovering economy. 

Frustrated Stock-Market Skeptics Sticks With Cautious Bets
-Amrith Ramkumar and Michael Wurstorn, The Wall Street Journal, June 14, 2020

Many investors remain skeptical the stock market's powerful ascent can continue and are maintaining their cautious stances, a sign of lingering unease that could challenge the rally in the weeks ahead.  

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This is a must read article about the underlying risks that exist for banks and insurance companies. 

The Looming Bank Collapse
-Frank Partnoy, The Atlantic, July/August 2020 Issue

​After months of living with the coronavirus pandemic, American citizens are well aware of the toll it has taken on the economy: broken supply chains, record unemployment, failing small businesses. All of these factors are serious and could mire the United States in a deep, prolonged recession. But there's another threat to the economy, too. It lurks on the balance sheets of the big banks, and it could be cataclysmic. 

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Unemployment rates are shrinking as businesses are able to begin opening up again.

U.S. Unemployment Rate Fell to 13.3% in May
-Josh Mitchell, The Wall Street Journal, June 6, 2020

The U.S. labor market snapped back to life in May, restoring a chunk of the jobs it lost in the first two months of the coronavirus pandemic, although big obstacles lie ahead. 

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Indexes have decided to temporarily hold bonds that would otherwise not fit into their index. This could artificially be keeping a floor under prices of certain "fallen angels" that would have otherwise been sold by Investment Grade passive index investors. 

The Fed is going to buy ETFs. What does it mean? 
- Andrea Riquier, Market Watch, March 28, 2020

The Federal Reserve on Monday announced a fresh round of stimulus designed to calm markets and buffer the hit to the economy from the coronavirus pandemic. Among other steps, the Fed said it would buy exchange-traded funds that track the corporate market, a first for the U.S. central bank. 

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Eurodollar Futures Curve Sells Off, At The FRONT

Not Good: Eurodollar Futures Curve Sells Off, At The FRONT
-Jeffrey P. Snider, Alhambra Investments, March 25, 2020

If the Fed has promised to print an unlimited supply of money, then why are inflation expectations at crisis lows and falling? At the same time, there are still-growing signs of illiquidity and an interbank crackup. Bazooka after bazooka, yet they don't seem to be having much effect. 

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The Fed has several tools available to help fight the recession. Find out more about these tools in this video. 

The coronavius pandemic is disrupting the global economy. WSJ's Greg Ip explains what the Federal Reserve can do to stem the damage. 

WATCH THE VIDEO

A fast-growing market in junk-rated leveraged loans is showing severe strains, a sign of a looming credit crunch that could stifle economic growth.

The Next Coronavirus Financial Crisis: Record Piles of Risky Corporate Debt 
-Matt Wirz and Nick Timiraos, The Wall Street Journal, March 19, 2020

Serious strains are starting to appear in the $1.2 trillion market for loans to high-risk companies, which have borrowed record sums in recent years as investors chased bigger yields. 

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Federal Reserve actions indicate that something is broken in the plumbing of the financial system.

Fed Turns to Crisis-Era Playbook to Combat Market Disruptions
-Nick Timiraos, The Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2020

A global market rout is forcing the Federal Reserve to revisit its 2008 crisis playbook in an attempt to ease trains on the plumbing of the financial system from investors' reactions to the novel coronavirus. 

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Do you know how the Fed's interest-rate cut might impact you? 

What the Fed's Interest-Rate Cut Means for You
-Bourree Lam and Julia Carpenter, The Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2020

Interest rates affect the cost of borrowing, so falling interest rates can ripple through the cost of mortgages, the interest earned on savings accounts and more. 

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We are honored to be featured in the Monroe Evening News. 

Local family business shows growth, resilience, pride
-Jeff Beamsley, The Monroe Evening News, February 17, 2020
​
This is a story about a multi-generation Monroe family business. Harwood Investment Strategies.  This story doesn't start with selling financial services. 

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Here is a fascinating interview with legendary investor and deal maker Sam Zell.

#407: Sam Zell - Strategies for High-Stakes Investing, Dealmaking, and Grave Dancing
-The Tim Ferriss Show

In this episode, we have Peter interviewing Sam Zell, a legendary dealmaker and investor. Sam is the Chairman of Equity Group Investments, and he was recognized by Forbes as one of the "100 Greatest Living Business Minds" in 2017. He holds a place on New York Stock Exchange's "Wall of Innovators" for his role in building the $1 trillion REIT industry. Sam is also the author of Am I Being Too Subtle?: Straight Talk From a Business Rebel. 

LISTEN NOW

The U.S. retirement system has changed. This article may provide better insight into how you might be impacted. 

A Deeper Dive Into New Rules for Retirement Plans
-Anne Tergesen, The Wall Street Journal, February 13, 2020

Ever since Congress passed a spending bill in December that includes significant changes to the U.S. retirement system, Wall Street Journal readers have been asking questions about the impact on their retirement accounts. 

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​The House and Senate have come together to produce this Act. Know what it means for you. 

The SECURE Act And Your 401(k) & IRA: 5 Things You Need To Know Right Now
-Leon LaBrecque, Forbes, Dec 21, 2019

The SECURE Act of 2019 has passed. This bill is the product of bipartisan effort, which should give thinking Americans a lead-in-the-gut realization about the sorry state of retirement preparedness and the importance of this issue.  If the two sides of the aisle are working together, it might be important! 

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Today's press conference may provide some insight into what happens after that. 

Fed Eyes Thrid Rate Cut, but Faces Questions Over What Comes Next
-Nick Timiraos, The Wall Street Journal, Oct 30, 2019

Federal Reserve Officials are leaning toward cutting their benchmark interest rate by one-quarter percentage point to between 1.5% and 1.75% at the conclusion of their two-day meeting on Wednesday. The big question is how they frame what happens after that. 

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New regulations could impact inherited IRAs. 

Planning to Leave an IRA to the Grandkids? Not So Fast.
- Laura Saunders, The Wall Street Journal, Sept 27, 2019

Joseph Folk feels betrayed.

Mr. Folk, a 72-year-old retired middle manager for railroads living in Norfolk, Va., is a rigorous saver. He says his two cars are 14 and 24 years old—“and they run fine”—and he hasn’t bought any new clothes in years.

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Here is an interesting read on the possible effects negative interest rates might have on consumer bank accounts.

Europe’s Banks Eye Breaking Last Taboo With Negative Interest Rates
​- Nicholas Comfort, Charlie Devereux, and Steven Arons, Bloomberg, August 22, 2019

​Five years after Mario Draghi turned the world of European banking upside down, lenders are considering breaking a last taboo: Negative interest rates for the masses.

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Here are some thoughts on how you can meaningfully begin saving more today for your retirement!

The 7 Easiest Ways To Save More For Your Retirement
– Robert C. Lawton, Forbes, June 17 2018
​
In a recent post, I pointed out that none of us appear to be contributing enough to our 401(k) plan accounts to fund a retirement that doesn't require reducing our standard of living. Many of us, when faced with that reality, struggle with how we could possibly save more. Following are some thoughts on how you can meaningfully begin saving more today for your retirement.

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Crazy to think it's almost here already!

Six Things You Should Do Before Year-End To Get Financially Organized
– Kristin O'Keeffe Merrick, Forbes, November 12 2018
​
When you are a financial advisor, you get slammed in January. Everyone spends the holiday season going over their goals and dreams for the New Year. Getting “financially fit” falls very high on the list of resolutions. But what if I told you that it was just as important to focus on your financial hygiene in December? December can be crazy as everyone is generally rocking around the Christmas tree and spending too much money. But the actions you take in the last month of the year can be very impactful for many reasons. Here are some things you should focus on before year-end:

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Here's a good article to give you an idea of how your retirement savings stack up against your peers.

Here's how much money people in their 30s have in their 401(k)s
– Kathleen Elkins, CNBC, September 18 2018
​
A 401(k) plan, if you have access to one, is an effective way to build your retirement savings: You get significant tax advantages, the money is automatically taken from your paycheck before you have the chance to spend it and, often, companies offer a match, which is essentially free money.

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Can you guess what it is?

Warren Buffett Says Your Greatest Measure of Success at the End of Your Life Comes Down to 1 Word
– Marcel Schwantes, Inc
​
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett is rarely wrong, especially when it comes to investment and innovation. As most of us know, the Oracle of Omaha is also a sage imparting wisdom that transcends industries and generations and cultures.
And that wisdom, however common-sensical​ (ever thought to yourself, "Wait, I could've said that myself!"), is usually spot-on. Like this hard-hitting bit of truth telling: "If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don't care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster."

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Amazing how a simple smile and positive attitude can make all the difference!

3 Ways to Trick Your Brain Into Making Important Financial Decisions
– Camilo Maldonado, Forbes, August 1 2018
​
​It is no secret that as Americans, we avoid making financial decisions, even when it’s not in our own best interest. You only need to look at the latest trends in household savings rates, or evaluate retirement plan participation rates. A common belief is that financial decisions are complicated and require thoughtful planning and skill. However, research exploring our reluctance to take control of our personal finances points to a different reason.

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"Despite their reliance on Social Security income, many retirees don't fully understand these benefits..." 

6 Social Social Security Myths That Could Make or Break Your Retirement Planning
– Lorie Konish, CNBC, July 15 2018
​
If you're like many retirees, your Social Security checks will account for a large portion of your retirement income. But how well you understand the ins and outs of these benefits could make a big difference in how much you receive over your lifetime.

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"Young adults are making plenty of money mistakes..."

6 Money Management Mistakes Millennials often Make
– Maryalene LaPonsie, U.S. News, March 2 2018
​
Millennials have to endure many stereotypes. They are often labeled lazy, entitled and even narcissistic.
Zach Swartz, an older millennial himself and portfolio manager with BKD Wealth Advisors in Springfield, Missouri, isn't sure the generation really deserves to be singled out in that way. "Sometimes millennials can be painted as very different from other generations when they're not," he says.

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Cognitive vs. Emotional Bias in Investing 

Behavioral Bias: Cognitive Versus Emotional Bias in Investing
– Tim Parker, Investopedia, May 3 2018
​
Everybody has biases. We make judgments about people, opportunities, government policies and, of course, the markets. When we analyze our world without knowing about these biases, we put our observations through a number of filters manufactured by our experiences, and we're not just talking about stock screeners.

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Eddie and Tony will be making the 10 hour drive to see the "Oracle of Omaha" himself!

5 Questions for Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway's Annual Shareholder Meeting
– Adam Shell, USA Today, May 3 2018
​
Billionaire Warren Buffett brings the "Woodstock of Capitalism" back to Omaha this weekend for the annual Berkshire Hathaway stockholders' meeting, which is known for its straight talk and party-like atmosphere.

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Need some ways to get rid of a little stress? Check this out!

5 Ways Investing Can Relieve Your Financial Stress
– Kelly LaVigne, U.S. News, April 18 2018
​
Ask someone what causes them the most stress and chances are money will be right at the top of the list. Whether it is making ends meet on a day-to-day basis or long-term financial planning and investing for retirement, there is no doubt that many of us fret over money.

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