The Weekly Wealth of Knowledge is your download of this week's most important topics related to our community, financial planning, and the markets. April is "financial literacy" month at MONECO. All month long we will be providing you content on the importance of spending, savings, budgeting and investing and how you can empower yourself and family members to better understand financial strategies and topics.
In this issue:
• Team MONECO - Alzheimer's Association (2 min read)
• Financial Literacy Is An Epidemic (3 min read)
• A Resilient March (3 min read)
BONUS:Fairfield Police Sunset 5k - Presented by MONECO Advisors
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Team MONECO - Alzheimer's Association
By actively participating in our local community, the team at MONECO Advisors has the opportunity to create meaningful and positive impacts in the places where we live, work, and raise our families. As a way to showcase our involvement and support for various organizations, we are shining a weekly spotlight on one group, aiming to raise awareness and recognition for the incredible work they do on a daily basis.
This week we are shining the spotlight on the Alzheimer's Association. The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. MONECO gets involved with this organization by attending & supporting events held by the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as serving as board members of the Norwalk chapter. There are many ways to get involved with this great organization, either by donating, volunteering, or just raising awareness. Join the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia by getting involved with the Alzheimer's Association today!
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Financial Literacy Is An Epidemic
As we kick off "financial literacy" month for April at MONECO, this week we look at money mistakes that you may be making right now, that you should assess, to ensure your longer term financial goals remain on track. As always, if we can help in any way, do not hesitate to reach out!
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A Resilient March
The financial markets’ resilient performance during March was striking, despite pockets of uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy—and not to mention concerns over the durability of the banking system. The ability of the market to navigate nearly two weeks of headline-related risk tested the underlying resolve of the market’s capacity to look ahead.
Moreover, it underpinned our conviction that despite setbacks, including bouts of volatility, we will see the beginnings of a new bull market emerge, especially as the Federal Reserve (Fed) winds down its campaign to quell inflation. By all indications, the Fed is edging closer to its final interest rate hike, which should help bolster both consumer and business confidence.
According to The Conference Board, consumer confidence inched slightly higher during March, reflecting a solid labor market with an unemployment rate of 3.6%—the lowest it has been in over 50 years. In addition, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) confidence index continued to climb higher in March, representing the third straight month of improvement. With mortgage rates tilting lower, sales of new homes began to pick up during the month, and many industry experts were commenting that the housing market may be on the cusp of “bottoming out.”
Certainly, the strains in the banking system jolted investor confidence and the market’s positive trajectory, but the quick response from government agencies—particularly the Fed’s lending facility, designed to help banks shore up their balance sheets quickly—helped restore calm in the market. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell echoed the reassuring words of many officials in the U.S. and abroad when he said the U.S. banking system “is sound and resilient with strong capital and liquidity,” and that “deposits are safe.”
Helping to further strengthen support in the country’s financial infrastructure, and ease investor anxiety, was the headline that First Citizens Bank would purchase “all of the deposits and loans” of Silicon Valley Bank, the bank that collapsed quickly and ignited a stretch of fear and panic across financial markets. With the private sector showing the value it sees in the ailing bank, we saw renewed optimism and faith in the overall banking system, and markets in general. First Citizens share price climbed 53% on the first trading day following the announcement, demonstrating the market’s confirmation that the deal made sense—and that the banking sector is safe.
Investors and traders alike were able to continue to find value in the market as stability returned. Investors’ patience was tested yet again, however, when Credit Suisse, a major global bank with a strong presence in the U.S., came under severe pressure. That situation was resolved quickly when Credit Suisse was seemingly instantaneously rescued by merging with its long-time rival, UBS.
Overall, patience and perseverance was rewarded as markets continued to factor in an increasingly realistic scenario of lower interest rates and a weaker U.S. dollar, which helps U.S. exporters compete in the global marketplace and helps soften overall financial conditions globally. It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s very rare for markets to suffer negative returns two years in a row. The unwinding of the technology bubble and the financial crisis that began in 2008 witnessed successive years of negative performance, but they represent anomalies.
The sound foundation of our financial system corroborates our constructive optimism of the upward and long-run trend of markets, despite headlines designed to jar nerves and test our steadfast resolution. As always, please reach out to us with any questions.
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Fairfield Police Sunset 5k - Presented by MONECO Advisors
The 5th Annual Fairfield Police Sunset 5K is Presented by MONECO Advisors and will be held again this year on July 19th at 6:30 P.M. All proceeds will be donated to the Fairfield Police Union Scholarship Fund & the Fairfield Police Foundation. You can run (3.1 mile) or walk (1 mile) course. We were able to increase the number of participants to 1000 this year and do expect to sell out, so don't delay, sign up today for Fairfield's most memorable night of the summer! Sponsorship opportunities available via the registration link as well.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific financial or tax advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.
There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Any economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and are subject to change.
References to markets, asset classes, and sectors are generally regarding the corresponding market index. Indexes are unmanaged statistical composites and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment and do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
All data is provided as of April 4, 2023.
Any company names noted herein are for educational purposes only and not an indication of trading intent or a solicitation of their products or services. LPL Financial doesn’t provide research on individual equities.
All index data from FactSet.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P500) is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.
This Research material was prepared by LPL Financial, LLC. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
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