May 2015 Newsletter

By jporter
Posted on May 7th, 2015

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Enjoy our monthly newsletter.

Best Wishes,
Mark Fissel

Market Recap

Investors seemed to take their emotional cue from a spate of mixed earnings results and economic data, waffling between enthusiasm and caution throughout the month. The Nasdaq finally recouped the losses it incurred during the technology crash 15 years ago, hitting a new record high during the third week of April…. (Read More)

Economic Perspective

- The Nasdaq broke its 15-year-old record set in March 2000

- GDP rose at just 0.2% during the first quarter of 2015

- Federal Open Market Committee suggested that the first quarter’s slower growth was due in part to “transitory factors”.

- Though the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index still indicated expansion, growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector slowed for the fifth straight month in March.

- International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected global economic growth to be 3.5% in 2015, up 0.1% from 2014.

Consumer sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan’s Index, rose to its second highest reading since 2007. (Read More)

Self-Directed IRAs

Refers to any IRA that allows you to direct the investment of your IRA assets into nontraditional investments… (Read More)

20 Social Security Tax Facts You Need To Know

This is a must read and answers many of the questions that most of you have about Social Security… (Read More)

Making Advisors Work for Clients is Way Past Due

You’ve heard the term “fiduciary” thrown around and probably wonder who is and who is not a fiduciary. You’ll appreciate this honest assessment about investment advisors and brokers, who is deemed to be a fiduciary and what the means to you. (Read More)