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- Spring 2020: Economic & Financial Market Review and Outlook
Economic forecasts for 2020 have been upended as public health concerns prompted the shutdown of large parts of the U.S. economy in order to prevent rapid transmission of COVID-19. 2019 had concluded on a very healthy note as GDP grew at a 2.1% pace in the final quarter and 2.3% for the year.<sup>1</sup> A continuation of moderate growth seemed probable in 2020. If you recall, January and February economic data were solid, characterized by strong employment and a robust housing sector. - Market & Economy Outlook 2020
2019 was icing on the cake to a decade that began with trepidation coming out of the financial crisis and the Great Recession but proved to be extremely rewarding for U.S. investors. - Fall 2019: Market & Economy
U.S. financial markets have soared year to date through September 30, 2019. Not only has the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500 Index) surged 20%, but bond prices have also climbed with the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index advancing 8.5%. Investors are struggling to ascertain the message of the markets. Does strength in stocks presage robust growth, or do plummeting interest rates, which caused bonds to rally, signal a sharp slowdown? - Summer 2019: Economy & Markets
Given its longevity and the fragility of the global economy, concerns abound over the expansion’s durability. There is little indication, however, of an impending downturn. U.S. GDP was off to a solid start in the first half of 2019, paced by a robust 3.1% annualized advance in Q1<sup>1</sup> and moderate growth of just over 2% likely for Q2. Our full year forecast, for GDP to increase in a range of 2% - 2.5%, is intact. <sup>2</sup>. - Financial Empowerment: Income-ing!
In our last Financial Empowerment article, we talked about the basics of financial planning. We reviewed the process and the major information needed to start building a plan. Of those pieces of information, we discussed income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Today, we are going to focus a little more on one of those topics: income. - Washington Trust Hires Private Client Advisor in Greater Boston Market
The Washington Trust Company is pleased to announce that Alexander Olson has joined the Company’s Wealth Management Division as a Private Client Advisor. - The Final Road to Retirement
If you are in your 50’s, you’re at a pivotal point on your retirement savings and planning journey. More than 63% of Americans retire between the ages of 57 and 66.* The most common retirement age is 62. As you approach that final stretch, it’s time to look ahead to make sure you are taking the right steps towards your dream retirement. - Spring 2019 Perspectives & Planning Financial Empowerment: Every Journey Begins with a Single Step
Money should not be a cause for stress; but our innate fear of the unknown often leads to financial anxiety. This is exacerbated by radio hosts, authors, television personalities, and corporations looking to profit from that fear. Countless articles on retirement planning begin with similar sounding statements: “Have you saved enough for retirement? Most people haven’t.” The question is valid, but the tone is designed to trigger anxiety. - Spring 2019: Market & Economy
Although 2018 ended dismally amidst tumbling financial markets, 2019 kicked off with optimism. Risk assets surged during the first quarter. Global stocks, led by the U.S., soared 12%1. Corporate debt including high-yield produced mid to high single digit returns. The transition by investors from extreme risk aversion to “risk on,” inspired by a shift in Federal Reserve policy, was almost instantaneous. - Economic and Financial Market Review & Outlook-Winter 2019
With apologies to Charles Dickens, 2018 was the “best of times and the worst of times”. The U.S. economy apparently grew at its fastest pace since 2005. (We don’t know for sure as the Bureau of Economic Analysis was shuttered due to the impasse in Washington, although the Bureau of Labor Statistics has remained open.) For the full year 2018, we estimate that GDP advanced just over 3%. The S&P 500 index, on the other hand, fell by 4.4%, posting its first negative return in a decade. Benchmarks for smaller capitalization stocks and foreign shares suffered double digit declines. Bonds managed to finish the year essentially flat, erasing earlier losses.
