WrapManager's Wealth Management Blog

In response to the 2008-2009 financial crisis and global recession, the Federal Reserve (Fed) and other central banks across the world lowered interest rates and implemented asset purchase programs meant to drive down borrowing costs for banks and consumers. What is the Federal Reserve Trying to Accomplish? It works in two ways. First, by lowering short-term interest rates, the Fed and other central banks give traditional banks easier access to cheap capital, which policymakers hope will spur economic activity by increasing the amount of loans banks make to businesses and consumers. Second, the asset purchase programs, which are referred to here in the US1 as “quantitative easing,” has the Fed currently purchasing $85 billion per month of securities - divided between mortgage-backed securities and Treasury securities.i This serves two main purposes: [+] Read More

Knowing when to take Social Security is dependent on a number of variables, all of which are unique to you and your financial plan. Ultimately, it is a financial choice you make, and it’s a very important one. At WrapManager, our Wealth Managers create a comprehensive investment plan for our clients, so that we intimately understand all of the variables that are important to meeting their family’s goals. Many people come to us wondering: should I start early and receive Social Security retirement benefits as soon as I’m eligible, or is it better to wait so you can receive a higher monthly benefit? Source: Social Security Administration Below, we’ve outlined a few guiding questions designed to help you think smarter about when to start taking your Social Security retirement benefits. We’d encourage you to discuss with your family and one of our Wealth Managers. [+] Read More

Bob Doll expects choppiness in the equity market over the short term for several reasons. [+] Read More

WrapManager’s Weekly Summary of Top Economic and Market News United States US Bankruptcy Judge Steven Roberts ruled Wednesday that Detroit could continue bankruptcy proceedings, allowing city officials to move forward in restructuring some $18 billion of debt, which includes $5.7 billion in unfunded liabilities for healthcare and other retiree benefits and a $3.5 billion pension liability. This marks the largest municipal Chapter 9 filing in US historyi. Earnings season continues in full force, with notable technology giants Apple and Facebook reporting this week. Both companies exceeded expectations, with Apple reporting earnings of $7.47 per share on revenues of $35.3 billion, while analysts estimated it would make $7.32 per share on $35.02 billionii. Facebook widely exceeded earnings estimates due to better than expected revenue on mobile ads. The company reported earnings of 19 cents per share on revenues of $1.81 billion, which outstripped estimates of 14 cents per share on revenue of $1.62 billioniii. Of the 104 companies that have reported earnings as of July 19, 72% of them have exceeded expectations. So far, this is slightly better than last year’s average of 70%, and in line the four year average of 73%iv. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling coalition (known as the Liberal Democratic Party, LDP) scored a major victory Sunday in winning enough seats to secure a majority in the upper house. The LDP now has a majority in both chambers of parliament, giving the party greater control to potentially continue aggressive monetary policies that have characterized Japanese politics this yearv. [+] Read More

Louis Navellier believes Bernanke will continue its quantitative easing program in the face of slower economic growth. [+] Read More

Chief Equity Strategist Bob Doll reviews his weekly top themes and the big picture for the U.S. stock market. [+] Read More

Louis Navellier looks at Ben Bernanke's comments and their subsequent affect on the markets. "The S&P rose 40 points (+2.96%) last week, reaching a new closing high above 1680. The biggest gain came Thursday, following a series of positive economic indicators and Ben Bernanke’s dramatic change of heart on U.S. monetary policy. This week, second-quarter earnings announcement season will begin in earnest. Currently, analyst expectations for second quarter sales and earnings are so downbeat that any positive surprises will likely result in a continued rise to yet more new market highs." Download Navellier's Full Commentary Here Get Free Research Reports on Navellier & Associates [+] Read More

Federated Investors reviews the economy and their Strategic Value Dividend strategy during the second quarter of 2013. [+] Read More

Chief Equity Strategist at Nuveen, Bob Doll, offers his mid-year outlook for the economy and stock market. [+] Read More