In the News
Hello April! Spring is here, and the beauty of the season is in bloom earlier than usual for large parts of the country thanks to winter’s record warmth and historically low snow cover.
As a fantastic Q1 wraps up for the stock market, investors remain cautious yet optimistic that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in 2024. We received a little more insight into their timeline during the March press conference as the Fed indicated rate cuts aren't necessary just yet. Recent reports have shown that the economy and labor market remain strong, and inflation continues to decline. Fed Chair Jerome Powell also reiterated the Fed's focus on their dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. In our opinion, as long as inflation remains above their 2% target, they will be reluctant to cut without significant data points showing weakness in the US economy.
On the other hand, higher rates present an opportunity for savers and those looking to add fixed income to their portfolio, and we continue to take advantage of those opportunities for our clients.
April is also Financial Literacy Month, a great reminder of the importance of understanding basic financial skills such as managing personal finances, budgeting, and investing. Having a solid base of financial knowledge can help you achieve your financial goals, prepare for emergencies, and feel more confident making financial decisions. Keep an eye out as we post some tips on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages throughout the month.
From a scientific perspective, April 8th's solar eclipse presents a rare opportunity to study a phenomenon not seen in the US since 2017. From an economic standpoint, it fosters tourism and boosts local economies in regions along its path of totality as millions are expected to travel to witness the event. The states situated on the narrow 115-mile path are projected to receive an economic boost totaling more than $1 billion, with Texas expected to see the most visitors. If you’re not one of the lucky ones who will get to experience
the total eclipse, mark your calendar for August 12, 2045. Another total solar eclipse is expected to cross the U.S. that day from coast to coast.
We hope all those who celebrated had a beautiful Easter Sunday. As always, if you have questions please don't hesitate to reach out.
February was a good month for the markets, with all three major indexes hitting record highs. As this latest rally picks up steam, investors continue watching the Federal Reserve for a potential delay in its anticipated interest rate cuts. In January, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to maintain interest rates and is expected to continue that policy in its next meeting later this month. We may get more insight into their plans this week as Fed Chair Jerome Powell will testify before Congress and could provide a more specific timeline for rate cuts.
This Friday's release of the February jobs report may also provide more clarity on the Fed's next move. In January, 353,000 jobs were added to the economy, and unemployment remained low at 3.7%1. However, layoffs have continued across nearly every sector, with the tech industry being hit particularly hard in recent months. It seems likely that the Fed will hold off on cutting interest rates until the job market starts to cool.
March brings an important filing deadline that our business owners should be aware of. If you file as a partnership, LLC or S Corp, your business returns are due on the 15th. We would also like to remind anyone looking to make an IRA contribution to do so before the April 15th deadline. Depending on your situation, they may be deducted from your taxable income.
Easter Sunday will be observed on March 31st this year and the markets and our office will be closed on the 29th in observance of Good Friday. Our office will resume normal hours on Monday, April 1st.
As the weather begins to warm and flowers start to bloom, it’s a great time to give your finances a thorough spring cleaning. Decluttering and organizing financial matters may help bring a sense of clarity and control to your life. Activities such as replenishing emergency funds, reviewing your insurance policies and annual credit reports, and weeding out unnecessary expenses can help whip your budget into shape and prepare you for the rest of the year.
While reviewing your finances, if you need to make any changes or have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to hearing from you.
1 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jobs-market-hot-layoffs-keep-174400328.html
Welcome to February! We ended January with the first Fed meeting and press conference of 2024, and although an unchanged rate was largely expected, the markets were surprised by Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments that essentially removed a March rate decrease from the table. In response, the S&P 500 ended the day with an almost 2% decline. Thankfully, the markets have appeared to digest this information quickly and the first two trading days of the month have brought solid gains across all three major indexes.
February also begins the runway leading up to tax season which means it's time to start putting together all the documents you'll need to file - Tax Day is Monday, April 15th and we've included a checklist below to help you get organized. Also keep an eye out for a few more emails this month aiming to educate and assist you in taking full advantage of any deductions and credits.
Tax season can also be a good time to fine-tune your financial strategy. If you haven’t already done so, consider making contributions to IRAs or other retirement accounts. Not only can this help reduce your taxable income for the year, but it also allows you to save for the future and take advantage of compound interest.
Turning to a brighter note, signs of warm weather are just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks, and Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early Spring.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Wishing you a successful and prosperous month ahead!