How important is it to work with a financial advisor? According to the Northwestern Mutual’s new Planning & Progress Study, 67 percent of Americans who use a financial advisor believe they have clarity on how much to spend now and save for later compared to less than half (44 percent) of those without an advisor.
The survey also finds that individuals without an advisor are more than twice as likely as people with an advisor (34 percent vs 13 percent) to say they are “not at all confident” they have the balance between spending and saving correct. This may be one reason why those without an advisor are more likely than those with an advisor (60 percent vs. 37 percent) to point to debt reduction as a top priority.
The study also finds that a majority (59 percent) of Americans with an advisor believe that, if they work past traditional retirement age, it will be by choice rather than out of necessity. The opposite is true for those without an advisor, with 6 in 10 (61 percent) expecting to remain employed past retirement age out of necessity.
Monday, July 23, 2018
Friday, July 20, 2018
The Race to $1 Trillion
For years now, Apple has been on a relentless push to become the first company to reach $1 trillion in market capitalization. Then Amazon came along. Apple still holds the edge with a market cap of $944 billion, but Amazon, riding another strong showing on Prime Day, just crossed $900 billion for the first time this week, and it seems to have momentum on its side.
Amazon banged out a fresh high on Wednesday and is up more than 50 percent for the year. Meanwhile, Apple hasn’t set a new share price record since June and is up only about 12 percent year-to-date.
To hit $1 trillion in market value, Amazon needs to rally about 13 percent and raises its share price $2,060, while Apple only has to get to $203.45, a 6 percent gain. Amazon reports its earnings next week, while Apple reports on July 31.
Amazon banged out a fresh high on Wednesday and is up more than 50 percent for the year. Meanwhile, Apple hasn’t set a new share price record since June and is up only about 12 percent year-to-date.
To hit $1 trillion in market value, Amazon needs to rally about 13 percent and raises its share price $2,060, while Apple only has to get to $203.45, a 6 percent gain. Amazon reports its earnings next week, while Apple reports on July 31.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
The Beige Book Warns on Tariffs
Ten of the Federal Reserve’s 12 districts reported moderate or modest economic growth so far this summer, the Fed said in its latest roundup of anecdotal information about regional economic conditions known as the Beige Book. But manufacturers across the U.S. expressed concern about tariffs, with many reporting higher prices and supply-chain disruptions in the wake of new trade policies.
In the Philadelphia Fed district, “one machinery manufacturer noted that the effects of the steel tariffs have been chaotic to its supply chain—disrupting planned orders, increasing prices, and prompting some panic buying,” the Beige Book said. The Philadelphia district covers the bottom half of New Jersey.
The New York district, which covers the northern half of our state, reported similar concerns: “A number of manufacturing contacts remarked that tariffs have raised their costs. Moreover, uncertainty about future trade policy was cited as a major concern, particularly in parts of upstate New York, where there is substantial trade with Canada.”
In the Philadelphia Fed district, “one machinery manufacturer noted that the effects of the steel tariffs have been chaotic to its supply chain—disrupting planned orders, increasing prices, and prompting some panic buying,” the Beige Book said. The Philadelphia district covers the bottom half of New Jersey.
The New York district, which covers the northern half of our state, reported similar concerns: “A number of manufacturing contacts remarked that tariffs have raised their costs. Moreover, uncertainty about future trade policy was cited as a major concern, particularly in parts of upstate New York, where there is substantial trade with Canada.”
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
The Danger of a Strong Dollar
U.S. corporations are warning that currency fluctuations are weighing on their results, raising a red flag for investors heading into the thick of the second-quarter earnings season. Roughly half of the first 23 S&P 500 firms that posted results for the latest quarter as of Friday said currency swings either had a negative impact on earnings or revenue or were expected to become a headwind in the coming months, according to FactSet.
That makes currency swings by far the most mentioned headwind on earnings calls so far. In comparison, seven firms mentioned the rising cost of raw materials, while five mentioned oil and gas prices and just one cited tariffs.
The strengthening dollar suggests that multinational firms could face an increasingly tough environment in the second half of the year. S&P 500 companies grew their earnings at the fastest pace since 2010 in the first quarter, boosted in part by a depreciating U.S. dollar. A weaker dollar benefits U.S. multinationals by making exports cheaper to foreign buyers, and also by making their overseas profits look bigger when translated back into the U.S. currency.
That makes currency swings by far the most mentioned headwind on earnings calls so far. In comparison, seven firms mentioned the rising cost of raw materials, while five mentioned oil and gas prices and just one cited tariffs.
The strengthening dollar suggests that multinational firms could face an increasingly tough environment in the second half of the year. S&P 500 companies grew their earnings at the fastest pace since 2010 in the first quarter, boosted in part by a depreciating U.S. dollar. A weaker dollar benefits U.S. multinationals by making exports cheaper to foreign buyers, and also by making their overseas profits look bigger when translated back into the U.S. currency.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Netflix Stumbles
Netflix has been one of Wall Street's hottest and most-watched stocks in the past 12 months - its share price has risen by about 150 percent over the past year. But it took a hit today when it reported second quarter subscriber numbers that were short of what the analysts were expecting, and the stock is paying for it.
During the quarter, the company added 670,000 domestic streaming subscribers, and 4.47 million international subs. That compares with consensus estimates for 1.2 million and 5.04 million, respectively. The numbers missed those targets as well as Netflix's own forecast for 1.2 million and 5 million domestic and international subscriber additions, respectively.
On the other hand, Netflix beat earnings expectations of 79 cents per share, reporting 85 cents for the quarter. But that wasn't enough to keep the stock from reeling, falling by about 13 percent in after-hours trading last night.
During the quarter, the company added 670,000 domestic streaming subscribers, and 4.47 million international subs. That compares with consensus estimates for 1.2 million and 5.04 million, respectively. The numbers missed those targets as well as Netflix's own forecast for 1.2 million and 5 million domestic and international subscriber additions, respectively.
On the other hand, Netflix beat earnings expectations of 79 cents per share, reporting 85 cents for the quarter. But that wasn't enough to keep the stock from reeling, falling by about 13 percent in after-hours trading last night.
Monday, July 16, 2018
Trying to Get Out of Correction
The U.S. stock market could hit a notable milestone today, but it isn’t one that investors will feel particularly good about. Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 index have been in correction territory since February 8, when concerns that inflation was returning to the economy sparked a sell-off that led to their dropping 10 percent from record levels hit earlier in the year.
Both the Dow and the S&P have been in correction territory for 108 trading days. This matches the longest such stretch since the financial crisis in 2008. Should they stay in correction through today, that will mean they are in their longest such stretch since 1984. In that stretch, it took the S&P 122 days to emerge from correction territory, and the Dow 123 days.
Based on their current levels, the Dow would need to rise about 6.2 percent to hit a new record and exit correction territory. The S&P 500 would need to gain just 2.6 percent to ease the correction.
Both the Dow and the S&P have been in correction territory for 108 trading days. This matches the longest such stretch since the financial crisis in 2008. Should they stay in correction through today, that will mean they are in their longest such stretch since 1984. In that stretch, it took the S&P 122 days to emerge from correction territory, and the Dow 123 days.
Based on their current levels, the Dow would need to rise about 6.2 percent to hit a new record and exit correction territory. The S&P 500 would need to gain just 2.6 percent to ease the correction.
Friday, July 13, 2018
Retiring in New Jersey
New Jersey is towards the bottom of the pack among the best states to retire in, according to the latest survey from Bankrate.com. Our state ranked 32nd, right in between Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
What's wrong with retiring in New Jersey? On the bright side, the Garden State rates very well on crime (tied for 4th best), health care quality (10th), and culture (11th). It's middle of the pack on weather (24th) and well-being (28th).
But what kills us is that it's expensive to live here. New Jersey ranks 42nd among all the states in cost of living, and dead last in taxes. Bankrate says South Dakota is the best state for retirement, and New York the worst.
What's wrong with retiring in New Jersey? On the bright side, the Garden State rates very well on crime (tied for 4th best), health care quality (10th), and culture (11th). It's middle of the pack on weather (24th) and well-being (28th).
But what kills us is that it's expensive to live here. New Jersey ranks 42nd among all the states in cost of living, and dead last in taxes. Bankrate says South Dakota is the best state for retirement, and New York the worst.
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