February 2025 – By Vantage Financial

The new month brings two major market-moving stories to digest. First is the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) by Chinese startup DeepSeek. It has caused some investors to question America’s lead in the AI race and American Exceptionalism more broadly. To answer that question, it’s important to look at this idea holistically.  U.S. advantages in research and development spending, capital markets depth, the dollar’s privilege as the global reserve currency, and more suggest U.S. exceptionalism will remain intact.

January 2025 – By Dan Zalipski CFA^®

They say the market climbs a wall of worry, and 2024 was quite the climb. The S&P 500 returned +20% for a second consecutive year, a feat last seen in the late 90’s.  As we entered 2024, the list of worries included high valuations, narrow leadership by the largest technology stocks, rising long-term interest rates, election/policy uncertainty, deficit spending, geopolitical unrest, and more.  Despite these worries, stocks rallied without so much as one garden variety, normal, 10% correction.

December 2024 – By Dan Zalipski CFA^®

As we close the book on 2024, we cannot help but to be thankful and marvel at the market results of the past two years in the face of tough conditions and dire predictions.  Absent a surprise in the last few weeks, the S&P 500 will have produced 20%+ returns in back-to-back years for just the fourth time in its history.  As we look forward to 2025 and calibrate our expectations, we have reasons to be optimistic, but we also find reasons to be cautious.  It is important to be informed and mindful of changing market trends; below are some observations and expectations for the year ahead:

November 2024 – By Ian  Salisbury

Voters handed former President Donald Trump the White House on Tuesday, largely on the back of his pledge to improve the economy. But how will Trump’s second term really hit your wallet? A lot depends on whether you’re an investor, borrower, or just worried about higher prices.