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The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and...

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Rise Ahead of Fed Meeting

Ittai Dvir

Monday, September 15, 2025

Stocks posted a solid gain last week, riding a rally in megacap tech stocks while overcoming interest rate anxiety, a downward revision to jobs data, and mixed inflation reports. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.59 percent,...

Weekly Market Insights | Megacaps Up, Jobs Decline

Ittai Dvir

Monday, September 8, 2025

Stocks made gains last week, even as megacap tech gains outweighed economic concerns. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.33 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 1.14 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Weekly Market Insights | Investors Step Back Ahead of Holiday Weekend

Ittai Dvir

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Stocks ended the week slightly lower as mixed economic data led to some profit-taking by investors ahead of the holiday weekend. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged down 0.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.19...

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would...

Estate management isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone— it’s also about what you can do now to help manage future estate taxes, transfer wealth strategically, and attempt to create a meaningful impact during your lifetime....

Weekly Market Insights | Fed Weighs Rate Move

Ittai Dvir

Monday, August 25, 2025

Stocks were mixed last week despite a powerful Friday rally sparked by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who opened the door to adjusting short-term interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index picked up 0.27 percent while the...

Weekly Market Insights | Investors React to Mixed Signals

Ittai Dvir

Monday, August 18, 2025

Stocks rose last week despite mixed signals on inflation as investors kept one eye on the Fed’s September meeting. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.81 percent. The Dow...

The rules regarding inherited IRAs have changed in the last five years, and failing to comply with the new requirements may result in IRS penalties. These changes affect people inheriting IRAs and those looking to leave retirement...

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Rise on Earnings, Despite Tariffs

Ittai Dvir

Monday, August 11, 2025

Stocks rebounded last week as investor optimism for a September rate adjustment and strong Q2 corporate results overcame the rollout of fresh tariffs. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...

Weekly Market Insights | Markets Retreat After Data-Heavy Week

Ittai Dvir

Monday, August 4, 2025

Stocks fell last week as investors assessed progress on trade negotiations, new U.S. tariffs, and fresh data on the U.S. economy. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.17...

Weekly Market Insights | Upbeat Q2, Trade News Cheer Investors

Ittai Dvir

Monday, July 28, 2025

Expectation-beating Q2 results from several companies, trade updates, and investor optimism for more trade agreements pushed market averages to solid gains. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 1.46 percent, while the Nasdaq...

Compensation is more than just a number on a paycheck. Whether you're exploring new opportunities, preparing for a promotion, or evaluating your current benefits, it’s important to understand the full value of your total...

Weekly Market Insights | Mixed Stocks; Inflation and Consumers Adjust

Ittai Dvir

Monday, July 21, 2025

Stocks were mixed last week, battling through tariff talk while responding to upbeat quarterly corporate reports and a trove of updates on the economy. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite...

Weekly Market Insights | This Week: T For Tariffs, T For Trillion

Ittai Dvir

Monday, July 14, 2025

Stocks were slightly lower last week, while looking past news of fresh U.S. tariffs on nearly two dozen countries. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.31 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged lower by 0.08 percent. The...

While you may follow the various stock indexes on the nightly business news, how much do you know about their histories, how they work, and why they're important? We pulled together some information and interesting facts about some of...

Weekly Market Insights | Trade and Jobs Cheer Markets in Short Holiday Week

Ittai Dvir

Monday, July 7, 2025

Trade developments and continued momentum pushed all three major averages to modest gains again for a shortened holiday trading week. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.72 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.62...

Weekly Market Insights | Markets Hold Broad-Based Rally

Ittai Dvir

Monday, June 30, 2025

Stocks staged a broad-based rally last week on investors’ hopes for a lasting Middle East ceasefire, hitting fresh record highs along the way. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.44 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 4...

You’ve likely spent years building your retirement nest egg—saving diligently, investing wisely, and contributing to retirement accounts along the way. But transitioning from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings can feel...

Weekly Market Insights | Conflict Fears Rattle Markets; Fed Holds Steady

Ittai Dvir

Monday, June 23, 2025

Stocks were mixed during the holiday-shortened trading week as uncertainty over conflict in the Middle East weighed on investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped by 0.15 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose by 0.21...

Weekly Market Insights | Market Attention Turns to Trade and Oil

Ittai Dvir

Monday, June 16, 2025

Stocks fell last week as an up-and-down mix of trade progress and anxiety, economic news, and geopolitical tensions netted out. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 0.39 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.63 percent....

Despite those who say the conventional wisdom that has guided investor actions over the years is no longer valid in 2025, remember the famous quote from legendary investor Sir John Templeton: "The four most dangerous words in investing...

Weekly Market Insights | Trade Tension Down, Economic Data Up

Ittai Dvir

Monday, June 9, 2025

Stocks rallied last week as investors responded to upbeat economic data and easing trade tensions. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 1.50 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 2.18 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial...

Weekly Market Insights | Markets Cheer U.S./E.U. Trade Talks

Ittai Dvir

Monday, June 2, 2025

Stocks advanced over the short trading week, bolstered by a possible trade deal with the European Union (EU) and an upbeat corporate report from a mega-cap tech company that creates semiconductors used in the creation of artificial...

Weekly Market Insights | Markets Cringe At Returned Tariff Talk

Ittai Dvir

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Stocks moved lower last week as fiscal fears and fresh tariff threats loomed over market sentiment. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.61 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.47 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial...

It’s graduation season—a time of celebration and new beginnings. For families with college seniors, this time can bring both excitement and uncertainty. While some graduates have jobs lined up, many others still are navigating job...

Weekly Market Insights | U.S./China Tariff Truce Tames Markets

Ittai Dvir

Monday, May 19, 2025

Stocks roared higher last week, powered by upbeat trade news and tame inflation reports. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index spiked 7.15 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 3...

Navigating Risk and Volatility—A Pragmatic Investment Philosophy for Long-Term Success

Ittai Dvir

Monday, May 19, 2025

In an investment landscape dominated by noise, volatility, and uncertainty, a sound investment philosophy is critical to enduring success. This white paper outlines a dual-lens view of risk, the importance of diversification, the role...

As summer approaches, your thoughts may drift toward escaping your daily routine. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting on a pristine beach, fishing in a mountain lake, or playing the back nine between pickleball matches,...

April is a pivotal time in the college admissions process. After years of preparation, saving, and investing—not to mention the countless hours spent on exam prep, campus visits, and perfecting applications and essays—the finish line...

April isn’t just about filing taxes—it’s also Financial Literacy Month, a perfect opportunity to reflect on your financial habits, expand your knowledge, and take meaningful steps toward improving your financial well-being. Whether...

One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is a thoughtful estate strategy that outlines your wishes after you are gone. Discussing estate details with your team of professionals is another way to help manage your legacy...

March is Women’s History Month, and according to a recent survey, 49% of women consider themselves to be the chief financial officer of their households, up from 41% in 2021.1 Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider...

You've worked hard throughout your life to build assets to support your retirement. As financial professionals, one of the most critical functions we provide is helping clients determine their retirement income needs and structuring a...

IFG’s Metrics that Matter: February 2025

Market timing adjusts equity exposure to manage risk and capture gains, balancing growth and drawdowns with adaptive strategies.

Tax season brings a new wave of identity theft risks, with criminals ready to exploit your personal data to file fraudulent tax returns in your name. Imagine the shock of discovering that a criminal beat you to filing your...

Sector rotation shifts S&P 500 investments based on cycles, momentum, and value to boost returns. Few sectors outperform consistently. While it offers gains and risk control, challenges include timing errors, costs, and taxes.

Stocks were mixed last week as investors parsed market-moving news nearly every trading day—from an unsettling AI update to White House news to Q4 corporate reports. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.00 percent while the Nasdaq...

January 2025 The FOMC meeting for December was held from December 17-18, 2024, during which the Fed, as expected, lowered the federal funds target range by 25 bps to 4.25% to 4.50%. The FOMC statement issued on December 18th noted...