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Welcome to the Lifeplans Financial and Insurance Services Blog. We plan to keep everyone up to date on news, hot topics and current events through this platform going forward. Please check back weekly for new blog posts by our Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Bogdan.

 

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Stocks were mixed last week as good inflation news was offset by mounting debt ceiling concerns and rekindled regional banking fears.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.29%. The...

 

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Stocks remained resilient last week amid mixed earnings reports, hawkish Fed-speak, and lingering recession fears, closing out the five trading days with small losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.23%, while the Standard &...

 

Thursday, April 20, 2023

The combination of an improving inflation outlook resulted in a week of uneven, albeit positive, performance, in which cyclical and financial stocks rallied while technology, real estate, and utilities lagged. The Dow Jones...

 

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Stocks ended a shortened week of trading mixed amid revived recession fears on Wall Street triggered by weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.10%. The Nasdaq...

 

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Modest gains in major market indices masked sharp volatility amid the uncertainty arising from mixed messages emanating from public officials and revived banking fears. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.18%, while the Standard...

 

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Thursday, February 23, 2023

Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

 

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Mixed Economic DataStocks weakened to start the week amid discouraging corporate earnings and troubling economic data. Disappointing retail sales and manufacturing reports sparked concerns that the Fed may have gone too far in hiking...

 

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...

 

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.08%. The...

 

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Stocks SlideStocks were under pressure much of the week due to resurgent recession fears and concerns that Fed rate hikes may go higher for longer than current expectations. There was some good news last week on the economic front and...

 

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

 

Thursday, November 17, 2022

A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

 

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Breathtaking VolatilityAn above-consensus consumer inflation number sent stocks tumbling in early Thursday trading before inexplicably surging higher in a stunning reversal that saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average rally 1,500 points...

 

Friday, October 14, 2022

Stocks Start StronglyStocks opened the week posting their best two-day rally since March 2020, as the U.K. prime minister’s decision to reverse a tax cut proposal that had upended financial markets the previous week lifted...

 

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Inflation Deflates MarketsStocks suffered their worst day in more than two years last Tuesday as markets were caught off-guard by a higher-than-anticipated August inflation report. Markets expected the August report to show a...

 

Thursday, September 15, 2022

In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...

 

Thursday, August 18, 2022

An improving inflation outlook buoyed investors’ spirits last week, helping lift stocks to solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

 

Thursday, July 14, 2022

In a holiday-shortened trading week, stocks rallied despite mixed economic data and vacillating energy prices and bond yields.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.94%. The...

 

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Stocks moved lower last week as recession fears deepened following a Fed hike in interest rates and weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.79%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.79%. The Nasdaq...

 

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Recession fears grew last week following weak earnings reports from major retailers, sending stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.90%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 3.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped...

 

Thursday, May 19, 2022

 

Thursday, April 28, 2022

 

Thursday, April 21, 2022

 

Thursday, March 24, 2022

 

Thursday, March 17, 2022

 

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

 

Thursday, February 17, 2022

 

Thursday, December 16, 2021

 

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Stocks posted small declines last week as investors digested recent stock market gains and an unexpectedly high inflation read.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 0.31%. The...

 

Thursday, November 11, 2021

A Federal Reserve announcement on tapering, a fresh batch of corporate profits, and encouraging economic data lifted stocks to another weekly gain.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

A strong opening to the third-quarter earnings season sparked a late week, broad-based rally that helped stocks finish the week with solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, October 14, 2021

The overhang of bumping against the federal debt ceiling was lifted last week with an agreement to extend the debt ceiling through early December, helping propel stocks to a weekly gain.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1...

 

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Wouldn’t it be nice if the stock market didn’t have such violent swings in either direction? Especially the dramatic downward plunges - we’d ALL like to avoid those! But the reality is, the markets include a certain...

 

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Stocks prices were whipsawed last week, dragged initially lower by financial contagion worries and later lifted by a supportive Fed policy statement.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

 

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Stocks prices were whipsawed last week, dragged initially lower by financial contagion worries and later lifted by a supportive Fed policy statement.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

 

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Stocks weakened ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting and amid persistent concerns about the Delta variant’s impact on the economy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.07%), while the Standard &...

 

Thursday, September 16, 2021

In a quiet week of news, stocks moved lower amid simmering concerns over the Delta variant’s effect on the progress of economic reopening.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, September 2, 2021

The stock market powered to record levels last week amid talk of Fed tapering and a deceleration in new Delta variant cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased 1.52%. The...

 

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Stocks turned lower last week amid the increasing probability of a Fed tapering, mixed economic data, and growing concerns about the economic impact of the Delta variant.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 1.11%, while the...

 

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Looking past inflation figures and Delta variant trends, stocks last week found a way to climb higher and set fresh record highs in the process.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.87%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Despite a good start to earnings season and some solid economic data, worries of slower second-half economic growth led to a pullback in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.52%, while the Standard &...

 

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Stocks managed small gains as investors wrestled with concerns over economic growth prospects and a rise in COVID-19 infections.The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 0.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.40%....

 

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Strong employment reports and rising consumer confidence sent the stock market broadly higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.02%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 1.67%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

 

Monday, June 28, 2021

Stocks reached new all-time highs last week as markets staged a strong rebound from the previous week’s declines.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.44%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 2.74%. The Nasdaq...

 

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Stocks ended the week mixed as investors appeared to shrug off a hotter-than-expected inflation report.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.80%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 0.41%. The Nasdaq Composite...

 

Thursday, June 10, 2021

A strong, but not too strong, employment report sparked a rally on the final day of trading, propelling stocks to a modest gain for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed by 0.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Stock prices fluctuated amid inflation concerns and bargain hunting, leaving stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.51%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.43%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq...

 

Thursday, May 20, 2021

A surge in consumer inflation unsettled investors, leading to a turbulent week of trading on Wall Street.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.14%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

 

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Stocks closed mixed last week as signs of continued economic recovery and upbeat earnings helped some sectors while the struggles persisted for high-growth companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.67%, while the Standard...

 

Thursday, April 29, 2021

The crosscurrents of strong corporate earnings, rising global cases of COVID-19, and the specter of higher capital gains taxes led to a choppy week of trading that left stock prices slightly lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...

 

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Stocks reached record highs last week, riding the tailwind of improving economic data and a strong start to the earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.18%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.37%. The...

 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Strong economic data and a resurgent technology sector propelled stocks to solid gains last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 2.71%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq...

 

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Rising bond yields and improving economic conditions led to a choppy week of trading that ended in modest losses for investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 0.77%. The...

 

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Stocks touched new record highs last week as bond yields steadied, a fiscal relief bill was signed into law, and confidence in a strong economic recovery grew.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.07%, while the Standard &...

 

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Preparing your taxes can be a real drag. It can feel like tax day looms over your spring! Well, fear not: the IRS has given you another month to file your taxes!The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service has announced that...

 

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Stocks dropped amid rising long-term bond yields, with sharp declines in high-valuation growth stocks leading the overall market lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

 

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Rising bond yields dampened investor enthusiasm for high-multiple growth companies last week, sending market averages mostly lower in a holiday-shortened week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.11% for the week. But...

 

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Stock prices inched higher last week amid declining COVID-19 cases, a pick-up in vaccinations, and progress on a fiscal relief bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.00%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.23%....

 

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Stocks notched strong gains last week, paced by a string of solid economic reports and consensus-beating corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 4.65%. The...

 

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Despite strong corporate earnings, stock prices closed lower after a volatile week of trading triggered by unprecedented activity in a handful of companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.27%, while the Standard &...

 

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Anticipation of a new fiscal stimulus and improved vaccine distribution powered stocks to fresh record highs last week with technology stocks leading the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59%, while the Standard &...

 

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Markets drifted lower last week as uninspired investors digested mixed news on the economic front.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.91% while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slid 1.48%. The Nasdaq Composite index stumbled 1...

 

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, January 14, 2021

In late December, Congress passed a $900 billion stimulus package, which included $600 checks to qualifying citizens. We wanted to send along some highlights from the bill which include:Stimulus Payments. The IRS and the Treasury have...

 

Friday, January 8, 2021

Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased...

 

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

 

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Favorable data on vaccine efforts continued to stream in over the past several weeks. Both Pfizer and Moderna expect their vaccine distribution to begin in the U.S. and the U.K. within the next 30 days, contingent on FDA approval...

 

Thursday, November 19, 2020

News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh lockdowns.The Dow Jones...

 

Monday, November 16, 2020

Though final counts continue, media outlets have declared Joe Biden the president-elect of the United States. President Trump, however, has stated his intention to contest election results. Pending a runoff election in Georgia,...

 

Thursday, October 29, 2020

The failure to reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill soured investor sentiment and sent stocks modestly lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.53%....

 

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Stocks treaded water last week amid fading prospects for a stimulus bill, fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, and increasing political and regulatory pressures on Big Tech companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average added just 0...

 

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Despite a shift in focus towards the fast-approaching presidential election, vaccine development remains a source of good news. Moderna – one of the leading COVID-19 vaccine developers – stated that it will not enforce...

 

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.75%,...

 

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

 

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.66%, while the...

 

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by...

 

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose by 0...

 

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Stock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard...

 

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Coronavirus cases continue to spike in the U.S. and around the world, with new local hotspots in the states being Arizona, Texas, Florida and California. Several major pharmaceutical companies announced progress in human clinical...

 

Thursday, June 25, 2020

With coronavirus cases showing signs of a global spike, new hotspots are starting to emerge in the states. Meanwhile, the U.S. Government has formed “Operation Warp Speed,” a team of five pharmaceutical companies...

 

Sunday, June 21, 2020

I’m writing today to let you know about new federal laws (known as Regulation Best Interest, or Reg BI for short) aimed at protecting investors. While many financial professionals are already acting in the best interest of their...

 

Thursday, June 18, 2020

While some of the states that relaxed social distancing measures are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, decreasing trends are being seen in several east coast states. Additionally, gained knowledge on the spread of the virus has...

 

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Alongside the official U.S. recession announcement were some glimmers of hope in the form of a downward trend in new coronavirus cases and a decrease in the unemployment rate. While there are caveats to both, including 21 states with...

 

Thursday, June 4, 2020

We’ve likely all noticed the civil unrest sweeping across the U.S. this past week, and we’re hoping you’re staying safe and well with your loved ones. The large number of people involved in protests have driven...

 

Thursday, May 28, 2020

A new milestone was reached as COVID-19 candidate vaccines began being tested in human clinical trials at record speed. Meanwhile, economic data over the last week continues to indicate a recession but is also showing signs of life...

 

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Hope was lifted this week with the potential development of a vaccine for COVID-19 however, the preliminary release of the vaccine quickly created skepticism. Unemployment is likely to peak in the next month and a new bill known as...