Pause

April 14, 2025

  A 90-day pause in the U.S. tariff implementation plan provided equities a large relief rally last week.  For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +5.7%, the Dow Jones Industrials +5.0%, and the NASDAQ +7.4%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Technology, Industrial, and Communication Services sectors, while the Energy, Real Estate …

Inherited Retirement Plans

April 8, 2025

  Whether you’re a known beneficiary for someone else’s retirement plan assets, you already inherited a retirement plan, and/or you have a retirement plan that you plan to leave for your spouse or someone else, there are several factors to consider for optimal distributions. Factors include: Whether the decedent died before or after their required …

Behavioral Finance

April 7, 2025

  Equity markets saw their worst week since the pandemic on fear over escalation of a global trade war. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -9.1%, the Dow Jones Industrials -7.8%, and the NASDAQ -9.7%. All eleven sectors in the S&P 500 Index had a negative return. The least negative were the Consumer …

Tariff Overhang

March 31, 2025

  Fear trumped greed to lead equity markets lower last week, mainly from concern over the economic impact of pending tariffs. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -1.5%, the Dow Jones Industrials -1.0%, and the NASDAQ -2.4%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Consumer Staples, Energy, and Real Estate sectors, while …

Joseph Sroka Speaking at Markets Group Private Wealth Southeast Forum – March 27th

March 26, 2025

  On Thursday, March 27th, NovaPoint’s chief investment officer, Joseph Sroka, CFA, CMT will be speaking at Markets Group’s 10th Annual Private Wealth Southeast Forum in Atlanta. Joe will be a panelist on the forum’s panel, “Maximizing Returns: Strategies for Investing in Equity Markets,” with several other investment professionals. The Private Wealth Southeast Forum is …

Secure Your Child’s Future with Strategic College Planning

March 25, 2025

  A college education is one of the greatest investments you can make for your child, but without proper planning, the costs can be overwhelming. At NovaPoint, we provide high-net-worth individuals and military families with expert financial guidance to ensure they maximize every opportunity to fund their child’s education. With rising tuition rates and inflation, …

Policy Path

March 24, 2025

  The S&P 500 Index finished the week higher to break its four-week losing streak. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.2%, and the NASDAQ +0.3%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Financial, and Health Care sectors, while the Materials, Utility, and Consumer Staples sectors …

Relief Rally

March 17, 2025

  The equity market saw a welcome relief rally on Friday but closed lower for the week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -2.2%, the Dow Jones Industrials -3.0%, and the NASDAQ -2.4%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Utility, and Financial sectors, while the Consumer Staples, Consumer Discretionary, and …

Charitable Giving Strategies

March 11, 2025

  Charitable giving is an excellent method for individuals to support causes they care about while also reducing their tax liability. There are various philanthropic vehicles available to gift cash, appreciated securities, real property, and other tangible personal property. Charitable giving strategies can be applied throughout one’s lifetime to help reduce current tax liability and …

Swings

March 10, 2025

  Uncertainty caused by new policies such as lower government spending and tariffs to shape trade has weighed on the equity markets. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -3.1%, the Dow Jones Industrials -2.3%, and the NASDAQ -3.2%. All sectors in the S&P 500 Index were lower for the week with the smallest …