Author Archives: firstlinefin

The Week in Review: November 26 – December 2, 2023 November Was A Good Month For Markets Christmas came early this year for investors. Colloquially known as a “Santa Claus rally,” the market experienced an upward bounce in the latter half of November. On the equities side, the S&P 500…

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As we approach the back-to-school season, I wanted to discuss an important topic that might be on your mind: the cost of education. Whether you have children or grandchildren preparing for college or considering furthering your education, it’s important to understand the financial side. Let’s delve into some eye-opening statistics…

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It’s the most edible time of the year! The Arizona Restaurant Association, the organization which advocates for and supports the hospitality industry throughout the state, announces the return of its popular bi-annual event, Arizona Restaurant Week (ARW) — taking place Friday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 17. During 2023 Fall…

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Investing is all about evaluating risk versus reward. If you invest in a private startup that becomes a Microsoft or Apple, you could earn a substantial return overnight when the company goes public. For example, an early $100 investment in Snapchat would have yielded $22,000 after the company’s initial public…

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The Week in Review: August 27 – September 2, 2023 No Major Damage From Jackson Hole Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s comments from the Economic Symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, didn’t really change the overall mood of the markets, although he was pretty hawkish. At last year’s summit, Powell basically…

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The Week in Review: August 20-26, 2023 Mixed Signals Lead to Mixed Returns Markets didn’t know which direction to go last week as they tried to decide which had more weight: the good news or the not-so-good news. On the good side, the labor market appears strong, as the weekly…

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The Week in Review: August 13-19, 2023 Fed Hike Remains on the Horizon The minutes from the last Federal Reserve meeting were released last week. They showed some Fed members were in favor of pausing rate hikes, but most were on the side of continuing to raise rates. The 10-year…

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Unlock Untapped Potential and Maximize Returns Accredited investors seeking a sophisticated approach to real estate investment will find comprehensive insights and actionable strategies tailored to their interests. This article delves into the intricacies of middle-market investments, exploring the strategic advantages of reduced competition, unearthing hidden gems, fostering invaluable relationships, and…

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The Week in Review: August 6-12, 2023 Sticky Inflation Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), came in at 3.2% year over year for July, up 0.2% from June’s reading of 3.0%. The producer price index (PPI) was also elevated from the June reading, yet the year-over-year rate…

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Most Americans know the fundamentals of good health: exercise, proper diet, sufficient sleep, regular check-ups, and no smoking or excessive alcohol. Yet, despite this knowledge, changing existing behaviors can be difficult. Look no further than the New Year Resolution, 80% of which fail by February.1 Generally, negative motivations are inadequate…

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