Insights

Market Commentary: Initial Jobless Claims at the Lowest in a Year, Retail Sales Surged

 The U.S. economy seems to be returning to firmer footing based on economic data released last week. Initial jobless claims fell to 576,000 and are the lowest they have been since mid-March 2020. The number of people receiving some form of government jobless support dropped from 18.2 million to 16.9 million, based on data from three weeks ago.

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The Promise of the Biotech Industry and What It Could Mean to Investors

I bet you’ve never heard of Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB). It’s a rare disease where a person’s skin falls off! Areas that are often rubbed, like your elbow from sitting at a table or your thighs from wearing pants, become a constant battle. It’s painful, and patients suffer from frequent infections. The US spends about $400,000 per patient each year trying to repair the damaged skin, only to see a new patch fall off. Doctors can turn to antibiotics, steroids and skin grafts, but because this is a genetic disease, the underlying issue remains.

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Getting the Most Out of Your College Savings Plan

Carson’s Senior Wealth Planner Beth Schanou and Director of Retirement Research Jamie Hopkins hosted a webinar about how to get the most out of your college savings strategy. Click Here to Watch the Webinar

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Market Commentary: Inflation Could Be On the Horizon, Service Businesses Make a Comeback

 Producer prices climbed 4.2% last week (Figure 1). Energy prices contributed to the largest gain since the index rose 4.5% in September 2011. The jobs market continues to see a high level of initial jobless claims while steady progress is being made in reducing the number of unemployed receiving continuing benefits. Last week initial claims rose 16,000 to 744,000 and continuing claims dipped by 16,000 to 3.7 million.

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Market Commentary: Jobs Market Shatters Expectations, Housing Prices on the Rise

The U.S. jobs market roared back to life in March. The economy added or reclaimed 916,000 jobs, shattering expectations of a 150,000 increase. Workers being recalled or hired to fill openings at restaurants and bars contributed 176,000 jobs to March’s gains. Previous months were revised higher by 156,000.

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How a 529 Plan Can Help You Save for College and Invest in the Future

Despite an evolving society, college is still a right of passage for many. We pack the family SUV with suitcases and dreams and take the young hopeful on to their next adventure.

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Checklist: Financial Milestones for College Planning

The days of getting a summer job to put yourself through college are long gone. An education costs more than ever – but it still pays to have one. Our downloadable guide acts as a checklist that explains how you can help them prepare for this passage into adulthood. We’ll look at financial goals and insights for:

• Birth to 1st grade
• Elementary Years through Early High School
• Junior and Senior Year of High School
• College and Beyond!

Fill out the form below to download your copy:

Download the checklist today to get started.

Market Commentary: Personal Income Fell in February, Stimulus Clouds Underlying Economic Health

 Slow improvement in economic data is being masked by the surging nature of government support. The gush of personal income growth in January was followed by a 7.1% decline in February. March will likely surge again with the latest round of stimulus. Employee compensation, which excludes government payments, was flat last month and has increased 0.2% over the last year.

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Traditional or Roth – Which IRA Works for You?

Many of us all but ignore our retirement accounts for much of our working lives. We look at a pay stub and have a vague sense of the “minuses:” Social Security, insurance, taxes. But the IRA is one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available to us, and so it warrants our attention. 

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Market Commentary: Retail Sales Fell After January Stimulus Surge, Don’t Expect Interest Rate Hike

Retail sales were unable to keep pace with a stimulus-induced surge. Retail and food service sales dropped 3% in February after spiking 7.6% in January. The January data was revised 2.3% higher than first reported. Core retail sales, which exclude autos, gasoline, and restaurants, fell even farther, dropping 3.4%. Over the last year, core retail sales have increased 10.7%.

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