Financial markets are becoming more sensitive to the Delta variant mutation of Covid-19, as some countries in Europe reconsider easing restrictions on businesses and travel. Regardless, global equities finished the 2nd quarter on a positive note, and rates stabilized following an upward trending environment earlier in the year. A lack of spending and stay-home orders during the pandemic has left …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the U.S. birthrate fell 4% to about 3.6 million births over the past year, the largest decline since 1973. Births have been declining since the Great Depression as Americans got married later and held off on having children over the decades. The pandemic pronounced the effects of childbirth due to the …

With the pandemic subsiding and alleviated restrictions enticing consumers to head out, restaurants have seen an enormous surge in business. While many restaurants suffered tremendous setbacks during the height of the pandemic, some have reopened and hired back once laid-off employees. Adding to the challenges are increasing costs for food and labor, which have risen substantially since last year. Consequently, …

The 2nd quarter ended positively for major global indices, with the S&P 500 index posting gains for 10 of the 11 sectors. Top-performing sectors for the quarter included technology, communications, healthcare, and financials. The SEC said that it is closely monitoring frantic moves in the market caused by memes to determine if there have been any market disruptions, manipulative trading …

For decades the U.S. dollar has been the most dominant of the reserve currencies in the world. The liquidity and transparency of the dollar versus other world currencies have made it the primary reserve currency for foreign governments and international trading entities. Dollar supremacy has recently become more challenged as the U.S. struggles with a growing budget deficit and expanding …

Treasury bond yields stabilized in the 2nd quarter after rising earlier in the year. Short-term rates rose slightly resulting in a flattening yield curve, an indication of possible slower economic growth as the Fed considers raising rates higher. Comments by St. Louis Federal Reserve member James Bullard indicated that the Fed may start increasing rates in 2022 via buying fewer …

As home values have increased, so has the need to review insurance policies to be certain that appropriate coverage is in force. It is recommended that homeowners review their current coverage on their insurance policies in order to avoid under coverage circumstances. When reviewing homeowners insurance, there are two basic types of coverage: replacement cost and market value. Replacement cost …

Circumstances over the past year have driven prices for used and new cars higher, shifting consumer buying behavior. Supply constraint issues for critical components needed for autos and light trucks have made it extremely difficult to purchase new automobiles. As a consequence, demand and prices for used cars have also gone up, leaving many drivers to hold on to their …

Inflation pressures have been a minimal hindrance on the equity markets thus far, as many companies are passing along higher production and material costs to customers while still maintaining margins. International equity markets, including developed and emerging, are recapturing momentum lost during the pandemic, elevating returns comparable to those in the U.S. markets. Sectors leading the S&P 500 Index in …

Over the past year, global economies went from a slow expansion at the beginning of 2020, to an abrupt halt with the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. Supply chain bottlenecks have become rampant as increasing demand has evolved from a slowly recovering global economy. Historically, rising producer prices have been a predecessor to consumer inflation when manufacturers and …