Newsletters

January

• HOT TOPIC: Two Trade Agreements Offer Optimism, But Uncertainty Remains

  A look at the U.S.-China “skinny” trade deal and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and their potential impact on consumers and the U.S. economy.

• Give and Receive with a Charitable Remainder Trust

  Discover how to give a substantial gift to a favorite charity while receiving a flow of income during your lifetime.

December

• Hot Topic: The Ag Economy: Tough Times for Farmers in 2019

  Farm bankruptcies rose in 2019, despite billions in federal support. This article discusses the effect on rural communities and regional economies.

• Online Shopping Tips

  As web-based retail sales continue to grow, these tips may help ensure a safer online shopping experience.

• What’s Required of the Executor of an Estate?

  Being named the executor of an estate can be an honor, but this overview shows why it can also be a difficult and time-consuming job.

• Prices and the Economy

  Low inflation may seem like good news, but it has a darker side. See which factors might be driving down inflation in the United States.

• Qualified Charitable Distributions

  Discover how qualified charitable distributions work and why they may now be more valuable than taking a tax deduction.

• A New Option for Providing Health Coverage in 2020

  Learn more about Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements and how they may help small businesses offer employee health coverage.

November

• HOT TOPIC: Manufacturing Slowdown. . .What Does It Mean for the Economy?

  This article looks at some of the reasons behind the manufacturing slowdown and what it might mean for the broader U.S. economy.

• Three Regrets of Retirees

  More than half of retirees surveyed had retirement planning regrets. Explore the three most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

• Medicare Open Enrollment

  This article explains the changes that Medicare beneficiaries can make during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.

• Closed-End Funds May Offer Higher Income

  Discover why closed-end funds may offer potentially higher income streams than traditional mutual funds holding similar securities.

• Taming Investment Taxes

  Do you know how investments are taxed and which strategies can help improve a portfolio’s tax efficiency?

• Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed Dangle Tax Benefits

  Solo 401(k) plans and SEP IRAs may help small-business owners and the self-employed shelter more income from taxes and save for the future.

October

• Index Update: Shifting Sectors Reflect Social Change

  How do recent classification changes reflect shifts in the telecommunications sector, and what does that mean to investors?

September

• HOT TOPIC: Upside Down: What Does the Yield Curve Suggest About Growth?

  An inverted yield curve can be an economic indicator along with other factors that contribute to an uncertain outlook for future growth.

• Steps to Help Lower Capital Gains Taxes

  Discover how the step-up in basis provision may help reduce capital gains taxes and preserve the value of assets left to heirs.

August

• HOT TOPIC: How Geopolitical Tensions May Affect Oil Prices and the Economy

  Explore the relationship between fuel prices and economic growth, factors that influence prices, and how U.S. production altered the global oil market.

June

• A Steady Strategy in Turbulent Times

  Dollar-cost averaging can help investors focus on building their portfolios through regular investing rather than reacting to market swings.

• Interest Rates and the Economy

  Do you know which factors influence bond yields and why the gap between short- and long-term yields is often viewed as an economic indicator?

May

• Bonds Can Offer Stability Even with Rising Rates

  Explore three major categories of bonds, plus ideas for navigating the bond market amid climbing interest rates.

• SRI Investing: Not Just for Stocks

  Find out how individual impact bonds may allow investors to preserve principal and generate income while supporting activities that are important to them.

April

• Do You Need a Power of Attorney?

  Explore three types of powers of attorney and find out how a living will can supplement a durable POA for health care.

• Trusts Offer More Than Estate Tax Protection

  Find out whether a testamentary trust, living trust, or special-purpose trust can benefit your family.

• Considering Preferreds? Proceed with Caution

  Considering investing in preferred stocks? This overview examines the risks and potential benefits.

March

• IPOs: Consider the Risks Behind the Hype

  Discover why it might be worth waiting for a record of financial results before investing in an initial public offering.

February

• Looking Back, Looking Ahead

  See the indicators economists rely on to understand the past, present, and potential future direction of the economy.

• Getting Real About Retirement

  This article features a worksheet and relevant information to help estimate retirement expenses and income.

• Seeking Synergy: Why Mergers and Acquisitions Matter to Investors

  Find out how and why mergers and acquisitions take place (and why they matter to investors).