The market for selling small businesses improved slightly last year, but buyers typically still had the upper hand. The median selling price rose 3.3% to $155,000, while the median revenue for firms sold in 2011 rose by 6.7%.1 Lenders generally require a professional valuation before extending credit to owners and buyers. But even if […]

  To spur borrowing and boost the economy, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds target rate to near zero at the end of 2008. More recently, the Fed disclosed that it is unlikely to raise rates until late 2014. In January 2012, the central bank released detailed forecasts for the federal funds rate — […]

  More than 65 million Americans — about one out of three adults — provide care for someone who is ill, disabled, or aged.1 Although these caregivers are unpaid, the total value of their efforts is estimated at $450 billion annually — more than the value of paid home health care and more than the 2010 […]

  Interest rates have been exceptionally low for three years now — and are expected to remain so through the end of 2014, according to the Federal Reserve.1 Meanwhile, market volatility has been high. These are challenging times for risk-averse investors who want to improve their returns. If you are retired or approaching retirement, capital preservation […]

  Wouldn’t it be disappointing to dream about a comfortable retirement and then find yourself unable to enjoy your leisure years because of limited financial resources? Unfortunately, this is a possibility for people who underestimate retirement expenses and the rising cost of living. Evaluate Spending and Costs Although your expenses may change when you retire, […]

  International visitors to the United States spent a record $153 billion in 2011, an increase of 14% over 2010. That’s good news, but just as significant is the fact that the travel and tourism balance of trade produced a surplus of $42.8 billion — a historic high and a 35% increase over the previous […]