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January 9, 2023
New Year's Rally In Reply To Positive Economic News Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. A strong Friday rally triggered by fresh signs of moderating inflation pushed stocks into positive territory to begin the new year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose...
Gratitude, 2022 Reflections, Financial Stuff, and New Rules
As we turn the page from 2022 and enter 2023 (I know I can’t believe it myself), I’d like to offer a heartfelt “thank you” for being part of the Ftacek Financial Services and my team’s journey. I am so deeply grateful for your trust and presence in my life and I'm...
January 3, 2023
Erratic Holiday Trading Leaves Stocks In Doldrums Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
December 19, 2022
Recession Concerns, Fed Talk Keep Stocks Cold Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%,...
December 12, 2022
Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Slide On Recession Concerns Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%,...
December 5, 2022
Weekly Market Insights: Easing On Rate Hikes And Job Numbers Cheer Markets Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. Stocks ended higher last week as investors navigated the crosscurrents of a potential easing in future rate hikes and continued strength in the...
November 28, 2022
Weekly Market Insights: Fed Talks Turkey On Lower Rates, Boosting Markets Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial...
Elections, Markets, and Giving Thanks
I've got a quick note about markets and elections for you, plus some big-picture questions about gratitude at the end. First, a quick win: markets recently posted a strong rally on better-than-expected inflation data.1 I’ve been saying this for a while now, it will...
November 21, 2022
Weekly Market Insights: Markets Down Ahead Of Thanksgiving Holiday Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. The stock market edged lower last week as it digested a crosscurrent of conflicting economic data and contrasting comments from Fed officials. The Dow Jones...
Weekly Market Insight – November 14, 2022
Weekly Market Insights: Cooling Inflation Brings Market Gains Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%,...
Weekly Economic Update
February 27, 2023
FOMC Says Inflation Is Still Too High Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc Concerns over a firmer monetary policy were heightened by fresh economic data, touching off a climb in bond yields and a slide in stock prices last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
February 20, 2023
Mixed Results As Interest Rate Concerns Grow Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial...
February 13, 2023
Mixed Feelings And Mixed Earnings Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while...
Economic Update
Q2 – 2021
In this Q2 recap: U.S. economic growth strong as reopening widens. Europe’s recovery picks up steam; Stocks reach new record highs, face new interest rate and inflation landscape. Quarterly Economic Update A review of Q2 2021, Presented by Ftacek Financial Services,...
Q1 – 2021
In this Q1 recap: U.S. economic growth gains traction as vaccination rollout picks up speed; Stocks higher, but questions about where they go from here linger.
Q4 – 2020
In this Q4 recap: the appearance of two COVID-19 vaccines gives businesses and consumers hope and lifts stocks; U.S. lawmakers approve a second financial stimulus; European negotiators sign off on a post-Brexit trade deal.
Retirement InSight
October 2021
Monthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. - OCTOBER 2021 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.” MADELEINE L'ENGLE ROBOCALLS,...
September 2021
Monthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. - SEPTEMBER 2021 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Every laugh line, every scar, is a badge I wear to show I've been present, the inner rings of my personal tree trunk that I...
August 2021
Monthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Ftacek Financial Services, Inc. - AUGUST 2021 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!” INGRID BERGMAN CAN...
Articles
Summer Rally Already Over?
Hey, what's going on with markets? I’ve got some thoughts to share. Just a few short 30 days ago, we experienced the broad-based markets in rally mode and the thought of this summer's selloff may finally be coming to an end. Not so fast, the markets had different...
Bear Market
I'm dropping you a quick note to talk about what's going on within the markets. Well, it happened. Like suggested in our earlier letters regarding continued market volatility this year, markets continued their wild ride, and here we are. Stocks slid into bear market...
It’s going to be OK…
The last few weeks (and months) of volatility have told us that we're sailing in stormy waters. This is a quick note to tell you that it's going to be OK. A few things I'd like you to keep in mind right now: "Unprecedented" events can happen much more often than we'd...
