Quarterly Economic Update
Click Download
read more »Author Archives: starklogic
What Key Estate Planning Tools Should I Know About?
By taking steps in advance, you have a greater say in how these questions are answered. And isn’t that how it should be? Wills and trusts are two of the most popular estate planning tools. Both allow you to spell out how you would like your property to be distributed, but they also go far beyond that. […]
read more »
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 […]
read more »
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 […]
read more »
Pick Up This Split for Long-Term Retirement Income
The number of Americans aged 90 or older almost tripled from 1980 through 2010 and is projected to quadruple by 2050.1 Of course, reaching 90 is still an unusual accomplishment, but the average 65-year-old can expect to live another 19 years.2 A portfolio that provides steady income for both the short and the long term […]
read more »
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 […]
read more »
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 […]
read more »
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 […]
read more »
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 […]
read more »
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 […]
read more »