Blog

10

Apr2017

Weekly Market Commentary – U.S. stock markets sending mixed signals

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets U.S. stock markets are sending mixed signals. If you look at the performance of the CBOE Volatility Index (a.k.a. the VIX or fear gauge), which is a measure of market expectations for volatility in the near future, it appears all is well and investors expect ... Read More

03

Apr2017

Weekly Market Commentary – Birthdays | Recap Q1 | Tooth Fairy

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets Happy birthday! Toward the end of the first quarter, the bull market celebrated its eighth birthday. David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management wrote: “Eight years ago, on March 9, 2009, the S&P 500 closed at 677, down 57 percent from where it ... Read More

27

Mar2017

Weekly Market Commentary – Markets spooked by healthcare controversy

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets You’ve read it before – and it’s true. Markets hate uncertainty. Failure to pass the American Healthcare Act, which was supported by Republican leaders in Congress and President Trump, may have spooked U.S. stock markets last week. In an article titled, “How To Make Investing Decisions ... Read More

20

Mar2017

Weekly Market Commentary – Three steps and no stumble…

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets Three steps and no stumble… Technical analyst Edson Gould developed a market rule of thumb known as ‘three steps and a stumble.’ It states stock prices may fall after the Federal Reserve (Fed) raises the Fed funds rate three times in a row without a ... Read More

13

Mar2017

Weekly Market Commentary – Fed rate hikes and Pro Rodeo Circuit

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets Rate hike ahead…maybe. Last week’s U.S. employment report was better than expected. The United States added 235,000 jobs in February, which was a few more than economists had forecast. It may seem counterintuitive, but the positive economic data helped push U.S. stock markets lower. The jobs ... Read More

09

Mar2017

What Difference HCEs and key employee definitions?

/ Plan Insights
The Pension consultants at Planmark regularly receive calls on a broad array of technical topics related to qualified retirement plans. A recent call with a plan sponsor in Norcross is a commonly asked question about Plan Audits. The plan sponsor asked: “Who is considered a “key employee” and a “highly compensated ... Read More

06

Mar2017

Weekly Market Commentary – Recent markets a Grand Slam?

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets It was a grand slam. Major U.S. stock markets were positively euphoric following President Trump’s speech on February 28. Optimism about the new administration’s pro-growth policies propelled the four major U.S. stock indices to record highs, despite a dearth of policy details, reported Financial Times. It’s ... Read More

27

Feb2017

Weekly Market Commentary – Folk tales and the markets plus best inventions of 2016

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets Once upon a time, five blind men discovered an elephant. Each man examined a different part of the elephant and formed a unique impression about the animal. One believed an elephant was like a pillar, while another decided an elephant was like a snake. In ... Read More
February 27, 2017Planmark Administrator

23

Feb2017

Who qualifies for a Hardship Distribution?

/ Plan Insights
The Pension consultants at Planmark regularly receive calls on a broad array of technical topics related to qualified retirement plans. A recent call with a plan sponsor in Atlanta is a commonly asked question about Plan Audits. The plan sponsor asked: “Can a 401(k) participant request a hardship distribution if the ... Read More
February 23, 2017Planmark Administrator

21

Feb2017

Weekly Market Commentary – Up, up and ?

/ Weekly Commentary
The Markets Up! Four major U.S. benchmark stock indices closed at record highs for four consecutive days during Valentine’s Day week, reported Financial Times (FT). To date, positive corporate earnings and robust investor confidence have offset fiscal and political uncertainty and helped push U.S. stock markets higher, said ... Read More
February 21, 2017Planmark Administrator