If you have reached 70 ½ years of age, you can make cash donations to IRS-approved charities directly out of your traditional IRA. This is a tax-smart opportunity, but it will expire at the end of 2011 unless Congress acts.
With 2012 rapidly approaching, people are learning from their mistakes, growing as individuals, and making resolutions to change for the better. While we cannot help with diet or travel plans, we can help you tackle your financial resolutions in the coming year.
In the world of immediate news comes immediate ideas which often lead to the need for immediate gratification...People like Jim Cramer, from CNBC’s Mad Money, add excitement to hot investment picks, which can lead to impulsive purchases from otherwise level-headed investors. Think about it—should an investor really “bet” retirement dollars on tips from television, radio, or other “noise-media?”
After a dreary first half of 2011, a modest rebound has and will continue to occur in the second half of the year. Real GDP climbed at a 2.5% rate in the third quarter and similar expansion is expected for the fourth quarter.
Volatility implies that stock prices are moving and fluctuating; their prices are unpredictable and inconsistent. High volatility is therefore demonstrated by extremes in the stock market, which can often lead to higher risk, impulsive investor behavior, and an overall feeling of uncertainty. On the other hand, low volatility reflects investor confidence in the market. Trading ranges remain narrow and prices seem to correlate with the real value of a stock’s worth. When conditions are stable, the act of buying and selling haphazardly is pretty much non-existent.
The Financial Advisors at Wayne Hummer Investments are experienced and credentialed experts in defining and achieving financial goals. Search our directory to find someone you can trust for the guidance you need.
