Whether it’s reading neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta’s Keep Sharp, or listening to Dr. Peter Attia (author of Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity) on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, a favorite podcast of mine, or simply contemplating the many conversations I have with the older people and clients in my life on a daily basis, I have been devouring everything I can on this complex and interesting topic.
With earnings season winding down and this week’s relatively light economic calendar, the talk of the week has been around Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole which is underway as of the publishing of this article. One of these days, speeches by Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) members and monetary policy decisions may once again be humdrum affairs which don’t compel regular newsletter updates, but that time has not yet come.
The phrase “if it is not one thing, it is another” implies that when dealing with financial markets and the economy, there is often a continuous cycle of challenges or issues. It suggests that as one problem is addressed, another one arises. This statement reflects the dynamic and ever-changing nature of financial markets and the economy.
In ancient Rome, the generals who returned from victorious military campaigns were celebrated with grand parades, known as triumphs. After arriving home, the Roman general would also be given a slave, known as an Auriga, by the Roman Senate. Each Auriga was charged with a simple task: as the victory parade progressed through the streets of Rome, every so often, whisper in the general’s ear, “Memento Homo.”
Is it the best of times or the worst of times in the economy? It seems to depend on what data you review. On the negative side of the scale, the Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index is deeply negative, and the US Treasury yield curve is deeply inverted. We have not seen such stark indicators without a resulting recession in the last 50 years. On the other side of the scale, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices are up double digits year-to-date while the unemployment rate is still historically low and inflation, as measured by the year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI), is falling and has been for a year since peaking in June 2022. In fact, due to falling inflation, the year-over-year measure of US real (inflation-adjusted) average hourly earnings is positive after two years in the negative. Is it possible that the negative indicators are wrong this time?
Two first-time Wimbledon champions were crowned last week, the oldest tennis tournament in the world (1877!). Carlos Alcaraz defeated seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, and Marketa Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to ever win.
Boise, Idaho is becoming an increasingly popular choice for retirees due to its affordable cost of living, outdoor recreation opportunities, and welcoming community. With a population of just over 230,000, Boise offers a laid-back, small-town feel with all the amenities of a larger city. In this article, we’ll explore what makes Boise a great place to retire, including its recreation activities, culture, and some affordability information.
So just what is going on with new developments in AI and how should we be thinking about it? This is a sprawling subject, and I am not an expert in artificial intelligence. My apologies in advance to any AI engineers who disagree with my understanding of the subject. By no means do I expect to cover everything in this newsletter, but today I would like to discuss what AI is, what the new developments are, and give some perspective on how investors might think about AI. Let’s dig in.
If you’re not immersed in the finance industry yourself, it can be confusing to understand what different credentials mean after an advisor’s name. We’re here to break it down for you, and we’re starting with some of the more common designations that are represented at Howe & Rusling: the CFP®, CFA, and CPA. Without getting lost in alphabet soup, these certifications are not only difficult to earn, but they’re very meaningful. Let’s dive in.
A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is a type of irrevocable trust that can help protect assets from being counted towards an individual’s Medicaid eligibility requirements. A Medicaid asset protection trust can be a useful planning tool to preserve assets from long-term care costs and to avoid probate. Learn more from our Vice President, Estate Strategies, Andrea Gray, Esq.
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