Blog
Our job at PMM as your financial specialists go beyond dollars and cents. We want to help you make informed- level headed decisions that can help guide you on your journey. Here on our blog we have compiled articles we think are relevant, timely and informed. Check back weekly for updates from your advisor and other light reads you may enjoy!
Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rise as Bond Yields Fall
A Friday rally turned an otherwise mixed week for stocks into a solid performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 2.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.77%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.38% for the...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Short Week Strong for Stocks
Investor enthusiasm for stocks remained strong last week, buoyed by declining bond yields in a holiday-abbreviated trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.00%. The...
Read MoreThanksgiving Greetings From PMM
It’s Thanksgiving! A day to embrace gratitude. I am embarking upon a new tradition. A letter of gratitude to reflect upon the year. In times of constant turmoil, I am thankful for the institutions that are...
Read MoreIRS Releases 2024 Tax Brackets, Retirement Contribution Limits
The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due for some time, it may benefit you to start...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: November Rally Continues
Stocks extended their November rally last week as investors cheered lower-than-forecast inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.24%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally Friday; Powell Cautious On Progress
A powerful Friday rally left stocks higher last week, extending the market’s early November gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.65%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.31%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Rise, Jobs Cool
Stocks ripped higher last week on a dramatic retreat in bond yields triggered by easing inflation and a slowing labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 5.07%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 surged 5.85%. The...
Read MoreSocial Security COLA and Medicare Part B Premiums
The Social Security Administration recently announced that over 71 million Americans, including Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries, will receive a 3.2% increase in their benefits for 2024.1 However, it is...
Read MoreCyber Safety Tip: Update
We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through your phone, computer, or tablet, and a notification pops up. “Update Me!” While that isn’t the exact wording, the meaning is the same. Something wants to be...
Read MoreWarren Buffett Says, "Don't Watch."
Have you ever heard the expression, "If you love sausages, never watch how they're made?" The same is true of stock prices. Warren Buffett once said, "I would tell [investors], don’t watch the market closely." In recent weeks,...
Read MoreDon't Turn Off The Football Game
It’s football season. School is back in session, the days are getting shorter, and the weather is starting to turn. If you sit down to watch your alma mater play, your “to-do” list may grow. Your car may only have...
Read MoreAugust Is Make a Will Month
August is Make a Will Month, a time dedicated to strategizing for the future. You may have seen in the news that Aretha Franklin's loved ones are still caught in a legal battle due to the existence of multiple wills. The lesson from...
Read MoreWhy August Can Be a Volatile Month
Why is August a volatile month? One simple reason: many people are on vacation. And when people are out of the office, the financial markets often see less trading, which can cause big price swings following news events. The Fitch...
Read MoreEveryone Needs an Estate Strategy
Like some of my clients, you may have seen the latest regarding Aretha Franklin's estate.The Queen of Soul passed in 2018, and years later, her loved ones are still caught in legal trials thanks to the existence of multiple wills.As...
Read MoreWasn't There Supposed to be a Recession?
In advance of 2023, the recession drum beats were so loud it was deafening. Market pundits warned that as the Fed raised interest rates, it was just a matter of time before the economy entered a recession.But it’s July now, and...
Read MoreResumption of Student Loan Payments and Interest Accrual
The U.S. Department of Education has officially announced that student loan payments will resume in October, ending the three-year-long pause that was implemented due to the pandemic.Starting September 1, interest will begin accruing...
Read MoreFed Hits Pause Button on Rate Hikes
Jerome Powell skipped an interest rate hike at the Fed’s June meeting, but the market isn’t buying what the Fed Chair is selling about what’s next with short-term rates.Powell signaled that two more rate increases may...
Read MoreSupply Chain Issues Appear Resolved. For Now.
Here’s a riddle. “I’m a two-word phrase that we heard almost every day for two years, but it has dropped from almost all economic talk in 2023?”Answer: Supply chain.As you can see from the accompanying chart,...
Read MoreWall Street Focuses on Debt Ceiling
Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...
Read MoreFinancial Advisor Gregory Holzer Earns Certified Financial Planner™ Certification
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania — [April 20, 2023] – Gregory Holzer, an independent financial advisor at Professional Money Management in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania has obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™...
Read MoreRumors of the Dollar's Death Are Greatly Exaggerated
From time to time investors chatter that the dollar will soon lose its status as the world’s primary reserve currency.Now appears to be one of those times. But it’s idle speculation.Kathy Jones, chief fixed-income...
Read MoreSearching for a Goldilocks Moment
If you're an investor looking for something to worry about, you never have to go more than a few days on Wall Street.As you can see from the accompanying chart, 11 economic reports are scheduled for release during 19 trading days in...
Read MoreMarket Timing Is Exhausting
Market timing must be exhausting. Always moving in and out of the markets based on economic analysis or business headlines must be so challenging.The accompanying chart shows that money held in money market mutual funds rose to $5.1...
Read MoreFed Attempts to Calm Markets
Jerome Powell is a man of his word. And the financial markets believe that's an excellent trait for the Federal Reserve Chairman.Powell told the financial markets to prepare for a 25 basis points increase in short-term rates in early...
Read MoreConsidering the SVB Collapse
Many investors may be tempted to react in the wake of both the Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank's financial troubles. After all, the unprecedented events of last week would test the mettle of even the most seasoned investor.The...
Read MoreFDIC Insurance, SVB & Signature Bank
When events like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank happen, it's natural to wonder how a bank safeguards your funds. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance was designed for this very reason:...
Read MoreFeds Managing SVB, Inflation
For the Federal Reserve, credibility is everything. And its credibility is being tested by how it plans to manage the banking system in the days leading up to its March 21-22 meeting.Last month, Fed Chair Powell confidently told Wall...
Read MoreRegarding 2023's 1099-R & 1099-B Tax Forms
Tax season is in full swing, and with that comes the inevitable hunt for all your necessary tax documents! This post is a friendly reminder that Tax Form 1099-B (used to report capital gains and losses that a taxpayer incurs after...
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
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