Blog
Bond Market Dynamics
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news.Please find the Bond Market Analysis from Phil Blancato, Advisor Group’s Chief Market Strategist attached below. This update provides an overview of...
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4/28 Market View Weekly: By the Numbers
Earnings Drive ReboundIt was a very busy week of earnings reports, but none more important than those from the Big Tech names. After two days of sharp losses on revived regional banking fears and otherwise lackluster earnings results,...
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The Walk to De-feet Dementia
I was a 2nd-time Gold Sponsor for The Walk to De-feet Dementia on Sunday. It's an event that raises funds to assist North Carolina families impacted by dementia. I had the chance to honor my wife's mother Gertrude with a flag of...
Read MoreWhat Investors Need to Know About FDIC Insurance and SIPC.
About the U.S. Banking SystemWith recent headlines about two failed U.S. banks and their ripple effect throughout the banking sector, we want to summarize the latest information on this evolving event. We assure you we are monitoring...
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2/24 Market View Weekly: By the Numbers
Stocks SlideStocks struggled last week, buffeted by growing fears of further Fed tightening and disappointing forecasts from two major retailers that called into question the consumer's health. The release of the minutes from the...
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A Note on Inflation
As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic over the past year, you may have noticed the term ‘inflation’ coming up in the news. But don’t let it scare you! The fact is, some inflation is good...
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October’s Surge Holds Hope
Happy November. As we move into the season of giving thanks, we can all feel thankful for a bit of good news about the markets. Stocks soared during October, with value stocks outperforming growth as earnings season kicked into high...
Read MoreA 9.6% COLA increase? It could be the real thing!
Like many Americans, you may be feeling pain from the high cost of living every time you buy groceries or fill up at the pump. Surging food costs and higher gas prices are pinching consumers, especially those living on a fixed income....
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July Markets End on a High Note
July was yet another month of roller coaster ups and downs, marked by continued consumer concerns about supply chain issues and higher costs for goods and services. The weather wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, as torrential...
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May's Bumpy Ride Was Tiresome for All
Welcome to June!What a relief to have May in the rearview mirror after a volatile month (in both the markets and the headlines). Surprisingly, despite weeks of negative performance, the major stock indexes actually finished flat,...
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This Month's Newsletter
Welcome to a new year and the January edition of the newsletter! Wishing everyone a joyous and successful year. Omicron is here and while the jury is still out on the relative severity of this strain, it does appear to continue...
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Are Capital Gains Taxes Changing?
There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law changes, including an adjustment to capital gains taxes.One of the proposals Congress is considering sets the top rate for taxing...
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Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...
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Distracted America
Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and communicate have drastically changed, to say the least.It’s difficult to predict what other aspects of life...
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A Note About Inflation
As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic over the past year, you may have noticed the term ‘inflation’ coming up in the news. But don’t let it scare you! The fact is, some inflation is...
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Not all Debt is Created Equal
When meeting with clients to determine the most efficient ways to maximize retirement savings, it’s not unusual for me to come across debt in a portfolio which prompts the million dollar client question, “Is it better to...
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The American Jobs Act – 3 Potential Changes We’re Watching
Recently, there’s been a lot of noise about the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan, commonly referred to as the ‘infrastructure bill.’ We’ve heard a lot about infrastructure over the few years, and...
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Ways to Put Your Tax Refund to Work
Saving money is a bit like eating healthy, you know you should eat your veggies but it’s hard to resist indulging in something a bit more fun. Like making healthy choices, a tax refund can present the opportunity to splurge but,...
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Don’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement
While it’s natural to look ahead to a leisurely retirement, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four...
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Haven’t Filed Your Taxes Yet? Don’t Worry!
Preparing your taxes can be a real drag. It can feel like tax day looms over your spring! Well, fear not: the IRS has given you another month to file your taxes!The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service has announced that...
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COVID-19 Stimulus Package - What's Included?
Recently, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that provides greater unemployment benefits and additional stimulus payments to individuals and families, as well as more...
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Fresh Start and Renewed Focus
As we welcome in 2021, we’d like to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy new year! This year, more than any year before, comes with a fresh start and the hope of things to come.Resolutions are a tradition of the...
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Focus on Health Now – Retire Better Later
When we think about retirement planning, we usually focus on the obvious: money. Maximizing contributions. Minimizing taxes. Diversifying accounts and assets. But even the best financial planning can be undermined by the unexpected...
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Medicare and Travel – What to be Aware of
Retirement evokes different dreams for everyone, but for many, travel is part of the image. If travel is part of your retirement vision, before you leave town, it’s important be aware of whether Medicare coverage will...
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Safe Ways to Safely Celebrate Halloween 2020!
The countdown to Halloween is officially on! Bags of candy fill the store shelves and scary costumes are flooding aisles. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Halloween may need to look a little different this year to keep your family and...
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Can You Deduct Your Work From Home Expenses on Taxes?
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has kept countless people working from home for months now. Many have been wondering whether they should consider claiming the home office deduction on taxes next year so we thought we’d pass along...
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August 2020 Market Matters Update
While COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, a bright spot on the horizon is continued vaccine development progress with 135 potential vaccines in testing with the possibility of being available by January. Unemployment rates are...
Read MoreWeekly Market and Coronavirus Update with Phil Blancato
We’re continuing to monitor the markets as well as the impact the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is having on them around the world. In the meantime, we’re doing everything we can to provide useful, accurate information to our...
Read MoreBuild Wealth Over Time
There are many different strategies that can be used to take full advantage of investing opportunities and help you reach your financial goals; one such strategy is called Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). Dollar Cost Averaging is...
Read MoreGovernment Bonds
"Government bonds once offered risk-free return. They now offer return-free risk.”-Jim Grant
Read MoreFive Percent
Five percent of the U.S. population accounts for nearly half of health care spending, and half of the population- the healthier half- accounts for only 3% of spending.-Chicago Tribune, July 13, 2017
Read MoreMillennials
Millennials have officially overtaken Baby Boomers as America’s largest living generation. Those who are between 18 to 34 years old now number 75.4 million, surpassing the 74.9 million Americans ages 51 to 69.-The Week, July 21, 2017
Read MoreThe Big Three
In 1980, the three big Detroit automakers made $250 billion in revenue while employing 1.2 million people. In 2014, adjusted for inflation, Silicon Valley’s top three companies had about the same revenue, but employed only 137...
Read MoreYear to Date
The S&P 500 was up +9.3% YTD (total return) through 6/30/17, making it 8 consecutive months of gains (and 15 ofthe last 16 months) by the $22 trillion index. The last time the S&P 500 was up in each of the first 6 months of a calendar...
Read MoreVacation Days!
Last year, about half of U.S. workers who get vacation days did not use all of them, leaving 662 million vacation days on the table. According to Nathan Lump, editor of Travel and Leisure Magazine, when people take time off, they tend...
Read MoreWanna Cry?
Defending Against WannaCry Posted by Stephen Register on May 16, 2017 As you may have heard, this past Friday hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide became infected with a computer virus known as “WannaCry” (or...
Read MoreDid You Know?
In a recent survey of 26,000 investors, 41% did not understand that a diversified portfolio was “a safer investment than a single stock,” and 26% believed a moderate investment should return over 16% annually. A remarkable...
Read MoreSell in May?
Investors are hoping the old Wall Street cliché “sell in May and go away” won’t apply this year. In fact, the DOW, S&P 500, and NASDAQ have not fallen in the month of May since 2012. -MarketWatch, April 26, 2017
Read MoreSolar Power
Today, the solar power sector employs 373,807 people compared with 398,235 in the natural gas industry and 160,119 in the business of coal.-The New York Times, April 25, 2017
Read MoreThe last year of life
One-quarter of all Medicare spending, roughly $150 billion annually, goes to treating patients in their last year of life.- Kaiser Family Foundation, September 26, 2016
Read MoreWho is working longer?
Tax preparers top the list of professions with the highest rate of workers older than 66, with 14.2% of preparers past retirement age.- Time.com, April 5, 2017
Read MoreHelping at Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina
On Friday, March 10, 2017, the Raleigh branch of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC received the assistance of volunteers from Capitol Financial Solutions. Associates spent the afternoon sorting and distributing food for families in...
Read MoreWhat a waste!
Workers in the U.S. were leaving $24 billion a year on the table because they don’t contribute enough to take full advantage of employer’s matching 401(k) retirement-plan contributions.-MarketWatch, December 27, 2016
Read MoreS&P Success
Since 1945, there have been 27 years when the S&P has achieved gains in both January and February (as it has done in 2017). The stock index then finished up for the year (on a total-return basis) in every one of those years with an...
Read MoreRetirement unsavings!
For every dollar people are contributing to their retirement savings, about 40 cents is being withdrawn before they reach their late 50’s.-MarketPlace, February 13, 2017
Read MoreOne fireman to another.
A short story. Our office is going to raise some money and get a gift card (or several) from Panera Bread to give to the Six Forks Station Fire Department #9 for their heroic efforts in the big fire last week. As it happened, I had...
Read MoreBottled water
Some 45% of bottled water brands are sourced from the municipal water supply- the same source as what comes out of the tap.- MarketWatch, March 12, 2017
Read More#1 Cause of Death
Today, in America, poor diets have now surpassed smoking as the #1 cause of death and disability. -NBC Nightly News, March 7, 2017
Read MoreImports vs. Exports
U.S. imports made up just 15% of our GDP in 2015- which makes us less reliant on imports than almost any other country. Less than 3% of U.S. spending is on Chinese imports.-The Economist, January 26, 2017
Read MoreJohn Lennon
“When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -John Lennon
Read MoreDowntown Raleigh Alliance
I had a great time at the DRA Awards dinner last night. It was good to see old friends and to meet new ones. A big shout out to Harvey Schmitt, Matt Smith, Catherine Thomas, David Bohm, David Henebry, and Michelle Murray-Carter....
Read More7 Advisors at Capitol Financial Solutions Earn New Professional Designations in 2016
Raleigh, NC, January 23, 2017 – Capitol Financial Solutions, a full service financial services firm with offices in Raleigh and Charlotte, NC, as well as in Richmond, VA, today announced that three financial advisors have earned...
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