Topel Forman Wealth Management

10/21/2026

Our weekly market commentary highlights the key developments shaping markets right now. Read the full outlook here: https://www.topelwm.com/weekly-market-commentary

10/20/2026

To understand economic and market trends, stocks are often grouped into sectors, geography, and by other characteristics such as the size of the company or the style of investment. Each of these groups can play an important role in long-term portfolios. While headlines about the S&P 500 reaching new highs or the Nasdaq being driven by artificial intelligence can make it seem as though all stocks are moving together, there is often much more happening beneath the surface. Read more on our blog: https://www.topelwm.com/blog/a-closer-look-at-the-stock-market-style-size-and-regions

10/13/2026

Bond Prices Make Noise, but Income Drives the Returns. Every time rates jump, the headlines follow the same script: bonds got hit. On a statement, they did. But that framing confuses two very different activities. Trading bonds is about where prices go next. Investing in bonds is about building a portfolio that pays you income for as long as possible. For investors, the price move is the least important number on the page. Read more here https://www.lpl.com/research/blog/bond-prices-make-noise-but-income-drives-the-returns.html

Bond investors should focus more on the income generated by their holdings than on short-term price fluctuations, as coupon payments are often the primary driver of long-term bond returns. LPL Research emphasizes that in a rangebound interest-rate environment, the steady income from bonds can help o...

10/08/2026

While oil has been the biggest commodity story this year, copper has also reached its own record highs. Copper has a wide array of industrial uses, from building construction and energy, to electronics and transportation. The latest jump in copper prices is primarily driven by two factors: tariff concerns with tight supply, and long-term structural demand from trends such as AI data centers.

https://www.topelwm.com/blog/whats-driving-portfolios-the-impact-of-high-oil-and-copper-prices

10/05/2026

Read more on the blog: https://www.topelwm.com/blog/impact-of-federal-reserve-decision-to-raise-rates

10/02/2026

At its September meeting, the Fed decided to raise policy rates by one-quarter of a percent, to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%. This was the first hike in three years and followed a period of rate cuts from September 2024 to December 2025. This decision was widely anticipated by investors. Rate hikes are a normal part of the economic cycle. At the moment, projections by other Fed officials suggest that the central bank could raise rates once more later this year before pausing through 2027. Read more on our blog. https://www.topelwm.com/blog/beyond-the-headlines-fed-rate-hikes-and-long-term-portfolios

09/24/2026

It's natural to want your portfolio to reflect your politics. History suggests that's a mistake. Markets have grown across every political era of the past century - through recessions, policy shifts, and divided government. Separating politics from investing is one of the most valuable disciplines an investor can practice.

https://www.topelwm.com/blog/the-midterm-election-and-long-term-investing