Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Welcome to what should prove to be an exciting 2022.  The economy, the markets, Covid, and politics, all practically guarantee the various news outlets will shower us with much to contemplate and discuss.

I have not read a 2022 stock market forecast that predicts higher returns than 2021.  With light economic data scheduled for release this week, we should expect to hear even more forecasts until the media has something different to sink their teeth into.

For 2021 the Dow Jones finished the year up 20.9%, the S&P 500 28.7%, the Nasdaq Composite 22.2% and the Russell 2000 14.8%.

Foreign stocks finished 2021 rising 11.8% however Emerging Market stocks fell (2.2%).

The 10 Year US Treasury finished 2021 with a yield of 1.50%.  The yield started 2021 @ .91%, peaked around late March @ 1.75%.

The 2 Year Us Treasury finished 2021 with a yield of .73%.  The yield started 2021 @ .12%.

WTI Oil closed out 2021 @ $75.21/barrel, up from $48.52 on December 31, 2021.

2022 Questions

Here is a short-list of questions for 2022:

  • How much more serious will Omicron become, and what will be the economic impact? Will we have another variant this year?
  • Will supply issues loosen? And if so, when?
  • Will the consumer continue to spend at the current pace?
  • Will inflation pressures start to ease?
  • Will corporate profits continue to grow?
  • How will the Federal Reserve act, and react?

Each of those questions leads to many other questions.

I’ll have no shortage of information for our weekly report this year, in addition to providing valuable information on a few of my favorite topics: income tax, retirement income planning, Medicare and Social Security.

Review Your Beneficiaries

It’s always a great idea to annually review your primary/contingent beneficiaries of your retirement accounts and life insurance policies.

Has anything changed?  A birth (grandchild), marriage, divorce, death, house sale? If anything has changed, it’s imperative you consult with a qualified advisor to make sure your desires are truly reflected.  This is one of the easiest areas of planning to procrastinate.

For clients, we make a beneficiary review part of your first review meeting each year.

For nonclients, please feel free to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your planning. You can either schedule online by clicking here, or feel free to call out office at 856-354-3200 ext. 205. Ellen will be glad to assist you!

 

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