The Fed

Economic Activity//Where’s the Bottom//Fight the Fed?

Economic Activity Forced to Slow Down  So much has happened so darn quickly.  Only a handful of weeks ago most people were discussing how much longer the expansion could run, and how much higher stock prices could climb.  I certainly agree that stocks were moving up more than deserved. When I left my office last […]

Extreme to Extreme… What’s Next?

The stock market prior to the current situation was pricing in perfection.  The thoughts were that US Businesses would again start to deploy new capital in new projects because of the Phase One Trade Deal, and with interest rates so low, what could go wrong?  The stock market was moving higher and higher believing all […]

Job #s Strong & Markets Continue to Climb!!!

2 Million Jobs have been created over the past 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Out of those 2 million jobs, 697k are workers aged 65 +, or about 36% of the total gain. The question is: why are so many age 65 +’s wanting to work?! Prior to the Mortgage Crisis […]

Markets Rebound Last Week & Employment Continues the Trend!

After a couple of weeks of weakness (because thoughts the Coronavirus would slow down the global economy), the market last week changed its mind sending equity indexes back up towards record highs! The S&P 500 rose 3.21% leaving the index now up 3.17% year-to-date.  The Dow Jones rose 3.06%; the Russell 2000 2.67% and the […]

Coronavirus…US Debt now $23 Trillion… & an early Spring!

Market Pullback (Coronavirus) or Correction? I don’t know why I become amazed at the dramatization on the business/market news station I listen to and watch!  Yes I certainly understand the markets pulled back last week, dropping Major Stock Indexes into negative territory for the 1st month of 2020.  I guess it’s all about drama, as […]

Markets Continue to Rise As China Phase 1 Trade Deal to be Signed!

On Wednesday January 15th, the United States and China are scheduled to ink a Phase 1 Trade Deal, that may increase global business confidence. The deal includes a roll back of a previous tariff increase from 15% to 7.5%, and the official cancellation of last December’s scheduled new 15% tariff.  Also included, will be promises […]

Markets, Iran, and the Secure Act!

Markets Flat in the Short New Year’s Week & Geopolitical Tension Rising!  Welcome to Year 2020!  This promises to be an exciting year based upon what may transpire with our 2020 Presidential Election and the campaigning over the next 11 months. Typically I do not discuss politics in our blogs, however with the feeling that political […]

Markets March Higher to End of Decade! & A Pay It Forward Story…

Wow, the end of the decade!  Do you remember where you/we were a decade ago, on December 31st 2009?  I certainly don’t need to remind anybody of the state of the economy at that point compared to today.  So much has happened and I’ll leave the media the opportunity to report the dramatic. The much […]

Markets Continue to Melt Higher & Secure Act Part of Spending Bill

On behalf of Retirement Refined, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanza! I hope all of you are able to take time to relax, appreciate all the good in your lives, spend time with family and friends and please make sure you tell everyone who your care about, […]

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