Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Loren Fields

04/15/2023

Jessica and I are all set up! Food, local vendors, and bounce houses for kids! Come visit with us at the Edward Jones Tent in the back parking lot of Bel-Ridge Baptist Church!

01/09/2023

While inflation, rate hikes and geopolitical uncertainties have posed challenges for the market, the labor market has remained a bright spot. This was highlighted by the most recent payroll figures which showed that employment conditions remain quite resilient. Markets, however, took the news on the chin under the assumption that ongoing strength in the employment picture could threaten the downward path for inflation. In our latest Weekly Market Wrap, we note three key takeaways from the latest jobs report and what this may mean for the financial markets in 2023.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

01/02/2023

Take a look at our weekly market update.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

12/26/2022

2022 was a challenging year for investors as multiple headwinds hit the economy and markets. As we look ahead, we think that inflation and central bank actions will remain in the driver's seat in 2023, but conditions could start to slowly shift in a more favorable way for the markets. With investors ready to turn the page on the calendar, we review some of the milestones that defined the markets over the past 12 months and offer some perspective on how these factors could evolve in the future.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

12/19/2022

Last week, markets digested three key pieces of data – a CPI inflation reading that came in better than expected, Fed commentary that indicate their job is not done yet, and U.S. retail sales showing a consumer under pressure. Overall, while the Fed (and global central banks) remain vigilant for now, as inflation moderates and the economy softens in the months ahead, the need for peak restrictive policy may wane. We discuss five key takeaways from a busy market week in our Weekly Wrap below.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

12/12/2022

The rally that began in mid-October stalled last week as markets have grown more anxious over the outlook for growth in in the year ahead. Nevertheless, it should not be lost that markets have staged an impressive run recently, with stocks and bonds logging solid gains over the past two months -- an important reminder for investors of the value of being opportunistic within a pessimistic market. In this installment of the Weekly Market Wrap, we take a look at a few noteworthy trends playing out underneath the market's surface that offer some potential signals about the mood of the market and possible implications for path ahead.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

12/05/2022

The rebound in financial markets has gained steam as we navigate the final stretch of the year. Global equities recorded their first back-to-back monthly gains in over a year and investment grade bonds posted the biggest monthly gain since 2008, a reminder of the importance of maintaining a disciplined investment approach even in times of uncertainty. We draw attention to some recent trends that defy this year's narrative and provide our take on Friday's employment data.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

11/28/2022

Check out our weekly market update.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

11/21/2022

Markets took a bit of a breather this week after a strong rally higher over the last month. The focus on inflation and the impact it's having on interest rates continues to be the primary influence on market moves. But with fixed income yields now at their highest levels in 15 years, equities now have some competition, raising questions for investors around where to put their investment dollars today. We think this underscores the importance of aligning portfolio decisions with goals instead of emotions, and in this week's Market Wrap, we look at the decisions investors are facing and the opportunities that we believe lay ahead.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

11/14/2022

The cooler-than-expected October inflation offers some relief to households, investors, and the Fed, potentially indicating that last month could be the start of a disinflationary trend. We provide our take on the recent data, along with implications for Fed policy and investment strategy.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

11/07/2022

This week the Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.75% to bring the fed funds rate close to 4.0%. Notably, while Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated the pace of rate hikes may slow going forward, he also emphasized that a potential pause in this rate hiking cycle is still "very premature." Markets took the message at its face value, now pricing in a terminal fed funds rate of 5.0%-5.3%, or about 1.3% more in tightening to come.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.

10/31/2022

A tug-of-war may be the most appropriate metaphor to describe last week's price action in the markets. Pulling at one end of the rope was disappointing earnings results from mega-cap tech names and more signs of economic activity softening. At the other end was growing hopes for a Fed slowdown and lower bond yields. We provide our interpretation and investment takeaways from last week's developments.

A summary of last week's market highlights and economic news.