Who’s been buying shares of company stock? Since the start of the bull market in 2009, U.S. companies have been buying their own stock. Stock buybacks peaked during the first three quarters of 2016 and have dropped off sharply since then, reports Financial Times citing a report from Goldman Sachs. Companies participate in stock buyback […]
One of the most important decisions you’ll make about your retirement is when and how to take your Social Security benefits, but it’s crucial that you understand potential tax implications prior to doing so. For many retirees that will have additional sources of income in retirement, Social Security benefits can push you into a higher […]
There was some good news and some bad news last week. First, the good news: Thanks to consumer spending and an upturn in federal government spending, the U.S. economy grew faster from April through June this year. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.6 percent during the period, according to the advance estimate for economic […]
Avoid the 10% Tax Penalty in 5 Easy Steps Emergencies happen, plans change, and sometimes you just change your mind. If you’re looking to tap into your retirement account earlier than planned, you may be wondering what type of penalties you could be up against. For most retirement accounts, if you decide to make a […]
Do we have central banks to thank? Low interest rates, accommodative monetary policy, and improving economic growth have helped stock markets around the world reach record highs, reports Barron’s: “…a look around the globe shows the surge of the U.S. market to new peaks to be anything but unique. Major [markets] in Europe and Asia […]
If you’re the recent beneficiary of a loved one’s retirement assets, you may be unaware of an income tax deduction available to you called the income in respect of a decedent (IRD) deduction. When certain inherited assets, such as IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement accounts are hit with both federal estate and income tax, this […]
It was a good week for a lot of stocks but not bank stocks. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) both finished at record highs last week. Barron’s indicated investors owe Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen a debt of gratitude: “The main force behind the rally […]
Things you may want to know… Last Friday, Financial Times (FT) published, ‘Five markets charts that matter for investors.’ Among the issues addressed in the charts were: The bond market bear watch. The yield on 10-year German Bunds (Germany’s government bonds) reached an 18-month high of 0.58 percent recently. Yields rose after the European Central […]
Are you considering converting to a Roth IRA, but you’re unsure whether or not it’s the right move for you? A Roth IRA provides a great way to help reduce the taxes you’ll pay during retirement, but it can also increase your income during the year that you convert, which could bump you into a […]