The stock market has performed well not only over the past year, but since the beginning of 2017. Over this three-year period, the S&P 500 has risen by over 45%. Investors who were able to stay invested through the volatility of late 2018 and during turbulent periods of 2019 have been rewarded.
Stock markets are riding high as we approach the end of 2019. The S&P 500 has returned nearly 30% with dividends, the MSCI EAFE index of developed markets is up over 21%, and the MSCI Emerging Markets index has gained about 15%. What's more, the largest pullback in the S&P 500 this year was only 7%. There are three key reasons for this outsized performance, and one important takeaway for investors as we enter 2020.
With the next presidential election less than a year away, many investors are bound to be concerned by the impact of politics on the stock market and economy. After all, the past three years have been politically turbulent to say the least. Even as we write this, Washington is in the midst of an impeachment hearing. On a short-term basis, headlines and tweets have the power to move markets and create stock market volatility. How should investors react to what may be a bitter presidential campaign?
After over a decade of steady growth, it's not unusual for the economy to be slowing. Throw in a mix of global issues such as trade wars and central bank activity, and it's no surprise that markets have been choppy over the past year. While there may continue to be market uncertainty, it's more important than ever for long-term investors to maintain perspective on how far both the economy and stock market have come since 2008.
If you’re reading this article and you have a cell phone, I’m sure you’ve gotten at least one robocall in the past year. Okay, maybe more like a hundred. Robocalls are just one example of cyber criminals and scammers trying to collect your personal information. Once they collect enough information, they can possibly steal your identity and make unauthorized purchases in your name. Cyber criminals are always honing their skills, so I am going to touch on three types of scams that are prevalent today.
Many people use credit cards every day. They account for 21% of spending according to research done in 2015 by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. There are some amazing benefits to using credit cards, but there are also an equal number of unfortunate downsides. We are going to help you sort through the pros and cons of using credit cards. When you have finished reading the article, you will be able to make an informed decision on whether or not a credit card is right for you.
Everyone gets stressed. According to the American Institute of Stress, 77% of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress. It is a common ailment that can plague all of us. But stress isn’t always bad. Being nervous before a big meeting with your boss can mean that you are focused on the task at hand. The problem is when you become stressed for too long and too often. That is when it can begin to negatively affect your life. Below I’ve listed three easy tips to help reduce stress in your daily life.
I’m sure that everyone reading this feels that they make better decisions now than they did when they were eighteen years old. Life gives us many experiences to learn from, and (hopefully) we become wiser as the years pass. This applies to every area of life, whether in your relationships or with your finances. Here are three financial lessons that we all wish we knew when we were younger.