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A Closer Look at Today's Inflation (2024 Edition): Not Out of the Woods Yet
4/8/2024
It’s March 2024 and it’s been almost 2 years since our last inflation deep dive, when inflation was at decades-long highs. Since then, the Fed aggressively raised rates to combat inflation but has recently paused as inflation slowed. Current inflation data look good in recent context, so many are hopeful the Fed will lower interest rates. However, inflation is rising at concerning rates in a few key categories, which may force the Fed to delay cuts. Let’s review the current state of inflation and areas of concern, and discuss what can be done to help reduce its impact.
Saltmarsh Hosts 'Building Confidence': A Women-Focused Event Series
4/4/2024
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Saltmarsh Financial Advisors will host a 4-part women-focused series centered on building confidence and community around the unique financial situations individuals may face in their lives. Featured segments will focus on the central themes of navigating loss, divorce, caregiving and philanthropic giving.
The Power of Compounding in Health and Wealth
3/27/2024
Compounding is one of the most powerful forces in the world. Just ask Albert Einstein, who’s said to have called it the “eighth wonder.” The seemingly small decisions we make every day gain power over time. That’s why it’s important to take the long view and come up with a plan—in both wellness and investing—that creates momentum in the direction of our goals. Don’t squander the power of time when you can recruit it to work in your favor.
Exciting Returns May Not Be Expected Returns
3/13/2024
It is natural for investors to want more exposure to last year’s top-performing market segment. The challenge is determining what portion of that return was a one-off windfall and not something to expect going forward. Viewing expected returns through the lens of cost of capital may help benchmark what constitutes a reasonable expected return from the market.
The Dos and Don'ts of Credit Cards: How to Use Them Wisely
3/4/2024
Credit cards can be a powerful tool in your financial toolkit. Using them properly can help build credit and provide exciting rewards. As is the case with most powerful tools, improperly using it can cause significant harm. This article will discuss some do's and don'ts of credit card use.
Dimensional Fixed Income Trading: Price Is Our Priority
2/26/2024
Trade executions prioritize among three key parameters: price, quantity, and timing. Dimensional’s top trading priority is price. It is the focal point throughout our investment process, given that prices incorporate the aggregate views of market participants, and that differences in prices have significant explanatory power for differences in expected returns. In fixed income, we use current market prices to calculate expected returns, to determine the most attractive term, credit, and currency positioning, and to monitor credit quality in real time. Our fixed income trading process has also been designed with the goal of realizing competitive pricing to help lower transaction costs and to potentially capture the targeted return premiums.
Magnificent 7 Outperformance May Not Continue
2/19/2024
The Magnificent 7 stocks continue to capture the focus of investors as these large growth names have outpaced the bulk of global equities. Their outperformance is notable because eye-popping returns for top stocks tend to occur before they reach the top of the market. Once there, subsequent returns tend to lag the market.
Many Happy Returns
1/26/2024
This past year had its share of financial uncertainty, from inflation and rising interest rates to volatile stock and bond markets. Headlines added to the unease, from the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and other lenders to the threat of government shutdowns. So it’s no surprise some people feel anxious right now. When it comes to investing during trying times, it can be easy to lose track of how well markets function. Spoiler alert: They’ve been working just the way we’d expect.
2023: A Year In Review
1/12/2024
As investors rang in the New Year of 2023, there was a lot to be apprehensive about. Inflation was still high as the Fed was aggressively raising rates, leading to a historically bad year for combined stock and bond investors. Though 2022 had ended with a late-year rally, almost every economist gave some probability that the US was headed for a recession in 2023. It seems the markets did not get the memo. The S&P 500 (large companies) finished up 24%, The Russell 2000 (small companies) was up 15%, and the Nasdaq 100 (technology companies) finished up 43% on the year. Leading the charge were 7 household names affectionately known as…
Fiduciary vs. Suitability Standards: A Personal Reflection
12/28/2023
I’ve been in the financial industry for nearly 20 years and have worked for many different firms. In those roles, I had different types of clients. When I came to Saltmarsh over three years ago, most of my prior experience was servicing large institutional clients. Now that I’ve been here a few years, I can reflect on my career and my various experiences. The most prominent difference between my role at Saltmarsh and roles at other firms is my current fiduciary responsibility versus my previous suitability duty.
Investing is a Science, an Art, and a Practice
12/15/2023
Professional money managers have offered their services for centuries, but until the 1960s, there was no empirical way to hold them accountable for their results. When computers became powerful enough to analyze immense amounts of data, researchers could start gathering and learning from historical stock returns. Now economists could measure the success of different investment strategies compared with the performance of the broader market. The science of finance took off.
The Difference the Right Financial Advisor Makes
11/20/2023
A financial advisor can provide the perspective investors need to tune out the daily noise and stay focused on a long-term plan.
Scary Stories: Imposter Fraud (Webinar On Demand)
11/15/2023
Webinar On Demand! In 2022, 2.4 million consumers reported losing money to fraud – totaling nearly $8.8 billion in lost wealth. The most prevalent was imposter fraud. Watch this webinar for a short storytelling of imposter fraud stories and learn the best practices to protect you and your family’s wealth.
Is a Yield Curve Inversion Bad for Stock Returns?
10/31/2023
Many investors see yield curve inversions—when short-term bond yields exceed long-term yields—as foreboding. Do they signal a stock market downturn? Data from the US and other major economies show yield curve inversions have not historically predicted equity market downturns. As markets incorporate news and events around the world, bond yields change, which causes yield curves to change. Historically, the US Treasury yield curve has generally been upward-sloping; however, during several periods, the curve inverted. What can we learn from these examples?
How to Build and Improve Your Credit Score
10/26/2023
While most individuals understand the importance of good credit and having a high credit score, they are often unsure of how this is measured. The difference between a good and bad score could potentially equate to thousands of dollars in interest savings over the long term. Let’s take a closer look at credit and discuss some ways to improve your credit score.
Navigating a Turbulent Stock Market: A Look at 2009-2019 versus Today
9/14/2023
Investing offers individuals the opportunity to achieve their goals, whether they seek short-term gains or long-term wealth accumulation. Over the past decade, the landscape of investing has witnessed significant shifts, presenting unique challenges to investors. Comparing the challenges faced by investors today to those of the period between 2009 and 2019 reveals a dynamic and evolving environment.
Register Now: Navigating Turbulent Financial Markets
9/12/2023
Join Saltmarsh Financial Advisors in Pensacola or Tampa for an unplugged conversation offering a look into the current investment climate with Apollo Lupescu, PhD, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors!
5 Essential Documents for Your Estate Plan
7/25/2023
Facing our own mortality can be a tough topic to tackle, which is why estate planning is so crucial. Taking the time to plan ahead can provide peace of mind and assure that our wishes will be honored. We can decide who gets what, who takes care of the kids, and even how we want our healthcare handled. Estate planning is all about making things easier for us and our loved ones down the road.
Saltmarsh Financial Advisors Recognized as Top Wealth Advisory Firm by Accounting Today for the Third Time
6/23/2023
Saltmarsh Financial Advisors, LLC, is honored to be recognized by Accounting Today as a top firm by total assets under management (AUM) for the third year in a row.
Taking Care While Giving CareHighlights from our Building Confidence Part 2 Event
6/22/2023
Saltmarsh Financial Advisors hosted a virtual panel called Taking Care While Giving Care to provide information and resources for people caring for loved ones. The panel featured experts in financial planning, emotional wellness, physical wellness and elder care. Here are some of the important messages that came from this heartfelt event.
Dimensional Wins ETF Issuer of the Year and Best New Active ETF at 2023 ETF.com Awards
6/8/2023
Dimensional Fund Advisors was recently honored at the 2023 ETF.com Awards, winning ETF Issuer of the Year and more.
The U.S. Debt Ceiling
5/24/2023
Sometime around June 1, 2023, the United States is expected to reach its debt ceiling. In recent years this topic has caused turmoil in the financial market and impacted thousands in both the public and private sectors. So, what exactly is the debt ceiling?
The Stock Market vs. Stocks in the MarketA Perspectives Blog from Dimensional Fund Advisors
5/10/2023
The collapse of First Republic Bank is a harsh reminder that any stock can go to zero, no matter how established a company is, or how loyal and wealthy its customers are.
The Value of Discipline in Value InvestingA Quick Take from Dimensional Fund Advisors
5/3/2023
Value stocks have gone through periods of both extreme over- and underperformance in recent years — a reminder that even reliable premiums can be volatile over shorter periods.
The Stuff They Didn't Teach You in SchoolAn Introduction to Financial Literacy
4/24/2023
These topics center around the broader category of financial literacy, which is generally not taught in the public school system. And if you feel unsure about your financial knowledge, you’re not alone.
Past Posts By Category
- A Closer Look at Today's Inflation (2024 Edition): Not Out of the Woods Yet
- Saltmarsh Hosts 'Building Confidence': A Women-Focused Event Series
- The Power of Compounding in Health and Wealth
- Exciting Returns May Not Be Expected Returns
- The Dos and Don'ts of Credit Cards: How to Use Them Wisely
- Dimensional Fixed Income Trading: Price Is Our Priority
- Magnificent 7 Outperformance May Not Continue
- Many Happy Returns
- 2023: A Year In Review
- Fiduciary vs. Suitability Standards: A Personal Reflection
- Investing is a Science, an Art, and a Practice
- The Difference the Right Financial Advisor Makes
- Scary Stories: Imposter Fraud (Webinar On Demand)
- Is a Yield Curve Inversion Bad for Stock Returns?
- How to Build and Improve Your Credit Score
- Navigating a Turbulent Stock Market: A Look at 2009-2019 versus Today
- Register Now: Navigating Turbulent Financial Markets
- 5 Essential Documents for Your Estate Plan
- Saltmarsh Financial Advisors Recognized as Top Wealth Advisory Firm by Accounting Today for the Third Time
- Taking Care While Giving Care
- Dimensional Wins ETF Issuer of the Year and Best New Active ETF at 2023 ETF.com Awards
- The U.S. Debt Ceiling
- The Stock Market vs. Stocks in the Market
- The Value of Discipline in Value Investing
- The Stuff They Didn't Teach You in School
- View All Posts
