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Monthly Archives: April 2012

Small Companies Face Costly Cybersecurity Threats

Small Companies Face Costly Cybersecurity Threats

  Possibly because many large corporations have enhanced their security policies, 40% of all targeted Internet attacks are directed toward more vulnerable companies with fewer than 500 employees. Unfortunately, only 52% of small businesses have a basic cybersecurity plan.1 Small businesses often use the Internet to market their products and services, accept electronic payments, and […]

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Designating Retirement Plan Beneficiaries

Designating Retirement Plan Beneficiaries

  IRAs and defined-contribution plans have become an important component of personal wealth — averaging roughly 60% of the assets of U.S. households with $100,000 or more to invest, according to recent research.1 Designating account beneficiaries (in light of your overall estate conservation strategy) and keeping those designations up to date can be a complex […]

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Averaging Ups and Downs

Averaging Ups and Downs

Market volatility seemed to be the norm in 2011. In just two trading days (October 31 and November 1), for example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost almost 4.7% of its value. At the end of the month, the Dow gained 4.2% in a single day (November 30).1 As an investor, you may find that […]

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Investing in the Future

Investing in the Future

  Parents generally don’t have to be convinced of the value of a college education for their children. Studies show that college graduates not only earn more but are healthier, more satisfied with their jobs, and more likely to remain employed during tough economic times.1 But paying for college becomes more challenging every year. Over […]

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American Manufacturing: Rebound or Renaissance?

American Manufacturing: Rebound or Renaissance?

The Great Recession affected the full spectrum of the U.S. economy, but the impact on the manufacturing sector was especially strong. Production dropped by more than 20%, and nearly 2.3 million manufacturing jobs were lost.1–2 The good news is that manufacturing production is climbing toward pre-recession levels, increasing at an annual rate of 10.4% in […]

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Rebalancing World Trade

Rebalancing World Trade

  Despite the European debt crisis and the related market turmoil, total U.S. exports demonstrated six months of record-breaking increases last year and reached an all-time high of nearly $180 billion in September 2011.1–2 Rising exports have generated nearly half of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) growth since the recession ended in June 2009.3 Sales of […]

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Hanging the “Help Wanted” Sign

Hanging the “Help Wanted” Sign

  Toward the end of 2011, an index that measures the hiring intentions of small businesses rose to its highest level in three years, and another report estimated that small businesses have added about 1.2 million new jobs since October 2009.1–2 All told, businesses with fewer than 500 employees have created about 65% of new jobs […]

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Socially Responsible Investing Joins the Mainstream

Socially Responsible Investing Joins the Mainstream

  It’s not surprising that some people have a strong desire to steer their money toward entities that endeavor to make a difference in the world. Growing investor interest — and wider recognition that social and environmental issues can amount to material financial risks and/or rewards for corporations — has landed socially responsible investments (SRIs) […]

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Help Protect Your Assets

Help Protect Your Assets

  Lawsuits have become increasingly common in our society. From 1951 through 2009, the cost of torts (civil suits) rose at more than double the annual rate of general inflation and even surpassed the annual increase in medical expenses (see chart). In this litigious environment, it is especially important to protect your assets and your […]

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