Spring 2014 Newsletter

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Posted on April 3rd, 2014

Bumpy But Increasing

After a dismal January, equities regained strength once Congress avoided a fight over raising the debt ceiling limit. By early March the S&P 500 had hit a new all-time closing high; on the bull market’s fifth anniversary, almost tripling since its March 2009 low… (Read More)

Quarterly Economic Perspective

  • U.S. economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to the Bureau
  • Unemployment barely budged during Q1, remaining not far above 6.5%
  • EU countries and the US agreed to prepare tough economic sanctions that could be imposed if Russia makes further moves to destabilize Ukraine.
  • European leaders declined to take stronger action to counteract an inflation rate so low that it raised concerns about the possibility of deflation.
  • Mt. Gox, at one time the largest Bitcoin exchange, filed for bankruptcy after 850,000 bitcoins–nearly half a billion dollars’ worth of the virtual currency–disappeared.
  • Housing suffered from frigid weather throughout much of the country.
  • U.S. manufacturing also appeared to be affected by winter weather, though by the end of the quarter, had shown signs of rebounding.
  • Overall inflation remained tame at both the consumer and wholesale levels.
  • The Senate Banking Committee’s bipartisan leadership announced plans to replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a system of government-backed mortgage insurance that would be administered by a new FMIC. (Read More)

The Fed’s Great Unwind

After years of unprecedented support, the Fed is reducing bond purchases. See how this affects your portfolio… (Read More)

401(k): 5 Risks

Are you are saving at work?  Don’t let these five risks derail your progress… (Read More)

Home Office Deduction

Beginning with the 2013 tax year, you’re able to use an optional “safe harbor” method of calculating your home office deduction. Instead of determining and allocating actual expenses, under the safe harbor method you calculate your deduction by multiplying the square footage of your home office… (Read More)