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On a holiday-shortened week, economic data included a tick upward in producer and consumer inflation, although levels remain tempered. Employment data remained mixed.

Economic data last week included mixed but generally pointed to expansion for manufacturing and services releases, as well as a better-than-expected employment situation report for August.

These are extraordinary times, and traditional expectations and measures of value may not tell the whole story.

Economic data for the week included higher than expected durable goods orders, continued strength in house prices and new home sales, and largely stable elevated levels of jobless claims.

Economic data for the week included strength in a variety of housing metrics, continued improvement in a broad index of leading economic indicators, but a pullback in several regional manufacturing indexes.

Economic data for the week included further gains in retail sales, and industrial production, among other measures.

Economic data for the week included strength in ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing surveys, a better-than-expected employment situation report for July, and a slight improvement in jobless claims.

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Economic data for the week included the Federal Reserve keeping monetary policy unchanged and accommodative, GDP for the 2nd quarter came in showing historical weakness as expected, jobless claims remained elevated, while housing data showed signs of life with building activity picking up and prices steady due to tight market inventory.

The Federal Reserve made no key policy changes in their July meeting, as expected, keeping the fed funds rate at the lower bound of 0.00-0.25%. Earlier this week, the pandemic-based emergency liquidity/lending programs were extended until at least the end of 2020, and dollar swap lines for longer.

Retirees who took RMDs in 2020 have until August 31, 2020, to roll the money back into a qualified account. This rollover will not affect the one-rollover-per-year rule.

Economic data for the week included stronger results for housing prices and sales activity, some of which was due to continued tight inventories.

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Most economists believe that GDP will turn upward in the third quarter, but it will take sustained growth to return the economy to its pre-recession level.

What changed as of the SECURE Act?

Economic data last week included rebounds in retail sales, industrial production, and housing. Inflation metrics also showed a small creep up on prices for certain goods. Manufacturing data was mixed, while consumer sentiment weakened slightly.

A light calendar of economic data for the week included a record increase in non-manufacturing, lower producer prices, and stronger job openings.

On a shortened holiday week, economic data included sharp improvement in manufacturing, as well as in the June employment situation report.

Economic data last week included higher than expected durable goods orders, along with mixed housing and jobless claims data. Inflation results remain tempered, as expected from low consumer demand.

The IRS has just released IRS Notice 2020-51 which extended the deadline to August 31, 2020 to return any unwanted 2020 RMDs.

Economic data continued to rebound last week from the troughs of commercial activity during lockdowns. Strength was pronounced in retail sales and industrial production, as well as carryover into the index of leading economic indicators.

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Economic data for the week included the conclusion of the FOMC, where no monetary policy action was taken but the overall tone remained somber.

Fed Note: Again, as expected, the FOMC kept the fed funds interest rate steady at a lower-band target of 0.00-0.25%. Without dipping into the unchartered and controversial waters of negative rates, this is as far as they can go.

Economic data released last week continued to show broad shutdown-based weakness over the past several months, in manufacturing, services, construction, and employment.

On a shortened holiday week, economic data continued its lackluster trend, now reporting the well-known weakness of April and May in many industries.

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Economic news remained dreary, with expected poor results for home sales, leading economic indicators, and manufacturing—although there appear to see some signs of marginal improvement in sentiment for the latter.

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Economic data continued to reflect the negative reality of Covid closures, with retail sales and jobless claims continuing to show extreme weakness, as well as a deceleration in inflation.

Federal, state, and local governments have extended a number of deadlines amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here are just a few of the deadlines that have been affected.

There is too much oil, and the industry is running out of places to put it.

It's important to understand how market swings relate to your own savings and investments.

Economic data for the week remained poor from Covid effects, as expected, as ISM non-manufacturing and employment plummeted to lows not seen in years.

Data for the week included lackluster results for Q1 economic growth, personal income and spending, manufacturing, and jobless claims. These were all as expected due to the rapid business shutdowns since March.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) people are asking about the 2020 Economic Impact Payment program.

Business owners should familiarize themselves with all available aid to help ensure they are taking maximum advantage of the new laws, as well as other potential resources.

The Federal Open Market Committee had no further policy moves to announce after their meetings this week. This follows lowering rates dramatically in March, to a minimum level of 0.00-0.25%, to counteract anticipated economic effects of the coronavirus.

Economic data for the week continues to reflect the current extreme slowdown, increasingly, as the March and April numbers are calculated and released.

Smart investors are prepared to weather the inevitable rough patches.

Why are oil prices crashing? How can they be less than $0? What does that mean for the stock market? And what does that mean for us at the pump?

The FTC has received over 20,000 COVID-19 related complaints since January 1, 2020.

Economic news, per the new norm, reflected a slowing economy from Covid-related shutdowns.

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For those seeking access to their retirement funds, there are special provisions for coronavirus-related distributions and loans. For those seeking to preserve their retirement funds, certain required minimum distributions from retirement funds have been suspended.

Have you considered rebalancing your portfolio to help deal with a volatile market?

Economic data included tempered produce and consumer inflation figures, and sharply negative results, as expected, for jobless claims, job openings, and consumer sentiment. Impact from coronavirus-related economic shutdowns have begun to filter into official economic data, which is likely to continue in coming months.

The Federal Reserve moved swiftly in recent weeks to support the U.S. economy and help alleviate stress in the financial markets.

Try not to let short-term anxiety make you forget your long-term plan.

Despite the current market volatility, the best advice may be the simplest: step back, look at the big picture, and avoid any hasty decisions. The initial reaction to market spikes and sharp drops might be to make a quick exit, but that can be the wrong move. However, we understand that it’s natural to question your investment strategy when the market gets rocky. Here are some insights from the perspective of a financial professional; these steps might help you stay calm and focused.

Economic data continued to reflect a slowdown in activity as the result of the coronavirus, although last month’s releases were mixed to some degree, based on when the results were measured.

As you know, the coronavirus pandemic has created both a health crisis and an economic crisis. As of this writing, there are over 160,000 known cases.[1] By the time you read this, there will certainly be more - and that number does not reflect those who have been infected but not tested. The economic cost, meanwhile, has resulted in millions of Americans losing their jobs. Some economists at the Federal Reserve estimate the unemployment rate could rise as high as 32%![2]

The long-awaited Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed, totaling $2.2 trillion in its final form.

By buying large amounts of some debt (treasuries and agency mortgages, primarily, but also targeted purchases in other segments), the Fed has agreed to become a natural source of promised or actual demand where there otherwise might not be any.

Economic news for the week was largely focused on dramatic actions from Congress and the Federal Reserve, intended to stem damage from the coronavirus-related shutdowns that have just begun. Other released data from months prior to the virus outbreak is now largely considered ‘stale’, but included mixed results for new home sales and durable goods orders.

After losing ground in 2018, U.S. stocks had a banner year in 2019, with the S&P 500 gaining almost 29% — the highest annual increase since 2013.[1] It's too early to know how 2020 will turn out, but it's been rocky so far, and you can count on market swings to challenge your patience as an investor.

RMDs waived for 2020; 10% Early Distribution Penalty waived up to certain amounts; Plan Loan Rules relaxed

Economic news last week was largely dwarfed by the dramatic efforts in progress by Congress and the Federal Reserve to stem the tide of economic and financial market damage from coronavirus-related shutdowns. Other released data included weaker retail sales and manufacturing indexes, while housing data exceeded expectations.

On March 20, 2020, the Department of Education announced terms for student loan relief for tens of millions of borrowers in response to COVID-19. Here are answers to some questions about the new rules.

These are difficult times, not only from an economic and investment standpoint, but a community one as well. This societal strains and uncertainty over depth and time-frame of the current pandemic add to the volatility in financial assets. Keep in mind, though, as we’ve mentioned in prior notes, that these periodic shocks are far from abnormal. In fact, they’re healthy checks on risk-taking, and allow a reset of expectations and re-pricing of risk.

As is the case in every bear market, it’s the elusive question that everyone is seeking a precise answer to. Sharp market declines and volatility are built around uncertainty, whether it be in the financial system (e.g. 2008), terrorist events (2001), commodity price shocks (1970s), wars, or other surprises.

No doubt the market gyrations of the last several weeks have rattled the nerves of many investors. After markets bounced around the -20% and -25% levels from the peak in February, now touching -30%, a question we've been asked several times is: 'How and when does this end?'