Insights - Hal Otey Financial

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Markets See Huge Boost as Optimism Outweighs Slowed Reopening

The S&P 500 wrapped up its best quarter since 1998, gaining 20.5%, amid a strong employment report and continued concerns as the United States and the world posted a record number of coronavirus cases.

Monthly Newsletters

Paying Off Debt: As You Work Toward Debt Freedom, is the Snowball or Avalanche Method Right for You?

Debt consolidation and repayment takes up a lot of America’s bandwidth. You can’t watch TV, especially daytime TV, without seeing at least one advertisement promising you freedom from debt – call now! These gimmicks are hit-and-usually-miss, but the sheer ubiquity of this conversation tells us it’s on everyone’s mind.

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: S&P 500 Dips as COVID-19 Cases Surge

The daily total for new virus cases topped 40,000 as a resurgence in the South and Southwest pushed new cases to an all-time-record high. Some states are reporting record hospitalizations and pausing or reversing reopenings. Initial unemployment claims, as shown in Figure 1, remain close to 1.5 million.

Videos

Tax Planning in 2020: What to Expect This Year and Beyond

With all the questions surrounding tax filing for 2020 and beyond, learn what you need to know about funding retirement accounts before July 15 and how retirees should handle the changes from new legislation. Click Here to Watch the Webinar

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Retail Sales Jump as States Loosen Restrictions

Retail sales and food services jumped 17.7% in May, beating estimates of 8% growth. The strong rebound follows sharp declines the previous month created by social distancing. Even with the increase, sales are still 6.1% below where they were one year ago.

Blog

6 Planning Opportunities for 401(k)s in Light of the SECURE Act

By the very name, the SECURE Act – or Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act – is designed to enhance retirement savings. There are several provisions in the new law to help accomplish this goal.

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Fed Committed to Near-Zero Rates, S&P Dips

The S&P 500 dropped 4.7% last week on concerns the uptick in new coronavirus cases would persist and slow the economic rally. The surprising job growth reported two weeks ago suggested the economy was rallying more quickly than expected and boosted investor optimism. But the recent uptick in cases and hospitalizations in some states caused investors to ratchet back their expectations for how fast the economy will recover.

Videos

How Social Security Fits into Your Retirement Plan

There are a lot of factors that play into when to claim Social Security benefits. How long should you wait? How is your health? What other retirement income do you have? What are the tax consequences? Click Here to Watch the Webinar

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Record Month of New Jobs, S&P 500 Continues Rise

The jobs market rallied back far sooner and stronger than expected. The U.S. economy created 2.5 million new jobs in May. Economists had projected a loss of 7 million jobs, so the surprise was massive. The gains are mainly attributable to workers who were temporarily laid off being called back to work as lockdowns ended or were relaxed.

Monthly Newsletters

How to Put the Hard Financial Lessons of Quarantine to Work for You

Wait – gas cost how much?! This is a question we may ask our parents or hear from our kids with some incredulity. This intergenerational conversation has a humorous side: gas was a quarter a gallon – how? You must have filled up everyday!