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When it comes to investing, the common terminology says that you're investing in "the markets" or Wall Street. But what do these terms mean, and how are markets defined? Simply put, financial markets are where traders and investors buy and sell assets. Markets can be used as a way for businesses to reduce risk and raise capital. Through markets, investors can buy into these companies in a way that hopefully makes money. The benefits of financial markets in a capitalist economy are numerous, from bringing confidence to the economy and helping to fund entrepreneurial ventures to providing liquidity to businesses.1,2 Several types of financial markets can be invested in, including but not limited to stocks, bonds, derivatives, and commodities. We review and explain the basics of these four types of financial markets below.

Over the past few years, you've probably heard—and read—more and more about cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, and many others. A surprising 13% of Americans traded in cryptocurrency in 2020, compared with 24% who traded in stocks. And the number of people trading in crypto is only expected to increase.1 But what exactly is cryptocurrency? In this article, we will cover some crypto and bitcoin basics to help you better understand this new asset and economy.

With inflation at highs we haven’t seen since the early 1980’s, government issued “I Bonds” have been a hot topic. We want to provide everyone with a general overview of how they work. An I Bond is a savings bond that earns interest based on combining a fixed rate and an inflation rate. The fixed rate (which is currently 0%) is fixed for however long you hold the bond and the inflation rate (currently 9.62%) can change twice a year based on when you purchased the bond. This means that I bonds are currently paying 9.62% annual interest through this October 2022. The interest is compounded and is added to the principal semiannually. The interest rate on the bond can never go below 0%. Individuals can purchase a maximum of $10,000 total in a calendar year. You can also buy an additional $10,000 through estates, businesses, and trusts per year.

Smart investors know that trying to time the market is often a losing game. Instead, you plan ahead and invest in such a way as to minimize risk and maximize your returns. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, dollar-cost averaging could be beneficial.

Earth Day is on Friday, April 22. Celebrate Mother Earth by taking the day to get outside, enjoy nature, and consider your role in your community. We all want to make small changes to make the world a better place, and some of these changes can take place through your investment portfolio! This article discusses Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, how to get started, and the difference it can make for both your investments and the environment.

What is unfolding in Ukraine is extremely troubling. As Russia presses its military advantage, it is inspiring to see Ukrainians defending their country. And while the images of fleeing refugees and bombed out maternity wards create strong emotions, as your financial advisor, we’re here to help you keep those emotions in check as it relates to your financial planning. Markets were volatile prior to the invasion and have become even more so over the past few weeks. As we monitor the situation closely, nobody can predict market moves. We’ve seen broad selloffs followed by huge rallies – sometimes within the same trading session! Volatility will most likely continue, at least for the short term, as investors weigh the impact of rising inflation, energy prices, supply-chain disruptions, and interest rates. Signs of escalation or de-escalation in Ukraine will continue to move the indices.