Comprehensive Financial Planning

Weekly Market Performance – Improving Economic Conditions

Published: Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:01:02 +0000

Market Blog Friday, April 9, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities The major United States markets were mostly higher this week. The Nasdaq Composite was the best performing index while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained … Continue reading →

A Goldilocks First Quarter Has Bulls Smiling

Published: Fri, 09 Apr 2021 15:58:13 +0000

Market Blog Friday, April 9, 2021 Stocks have kicked off the year in a strong fashion, and history shows this may give reason to be optimistic for the rest of the year. After a solid—but certainly turbulent—year in 2020, the … Continue reading →

Are We In A Goldilocks Range For Returns? | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Fri, 09 Apr 2021 14:58:08 +0000

Friday, April 9, 2021 Top Story Was the first quarter the sweet spot for returns? The S&P 500 Index rose 5.8% in the first quarter, and historically this has been in the “Goldilocks” range of returns that isn’t too hot, … Continue reading →

Global Growth Expectations on the Rise

Published: Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:58:44 +0000

Economic Blog Thursday, April 8, 2021 Before the pandemic we had begun to warm up to international stocks. Valuations relative to the U.S. markets had become increasingly attractive after a long stretch of outperformance by U.S. stocks compared with those … Continue reading →

Global GDP Forecasts On The Rise | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:58:58 +0000

Thursday, April 8, 2021 Top Story Global GDP forecasts are on the rise, led by the U.S. A look at consensus expectations for economic growth around the world supports our preference for U.S. over developed international equities. Gross domestic product … Continue reading →

LPL Market Signals: Raising Economic and Market Forecasts…Again

Published: Wed, 07 Apr 2021 16:58:56 +0000

Economic Blog Wednesday, April 7, 2021 On the LPL Market Signals podcast, Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder and Asset Allocation Strategist Barry Gilbert update forecasts based on how the economy’s recovery from the pandemic, aided by vaccine distribution, massive stimulus, and … Continue reading →

Best Business Conditions of the 21st Century

Published: Wed, 07 Apr 2021 15:58:18 +0000

Economic Blog Wednesday, April 7, 2021 The United States, and the rest of the world, are looking to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19, and business conditions may already have put the pandemic in the rear-view mirror—at least according to … Continue reading →

Record Surge In PMI Surveys | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Wed, 07 Apr 2021 14:58:43 +0000

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 Top Story Record surge in Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys U.S. businesses are looking to escape from underneath the shadow of COVID-19, and the Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) surveys may be suggesting … Continue reading →

Revisiting Our Treasury Yield Forecast

Published: Tue, 06 Apr 2021 15:58:18 +0000

Market Blog Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Coming into this year, we expected longer-maturity U.S. Treasury yields to rise, consistent with improving economic growth dynamics. That is indeed what we have seen, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury higher by … Continue reading →

Treasury Yield Forecast Changes | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Tue, 06 Apr 2021 14:58:53 +0000

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Top Story Raising Economic And Market Forecasts…Again On the LPL Market Signals podcast, Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder and Asset Allocation Strategist Barry Gilbert update forecasts based on how the economy’s recovery from the pandemic, aided by … Continue reading →

Raising Forecasts Again: Learn Why | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Mon, 05 Apr 2021 14:58:22 +0000

Monday, April 5, 2021 Top Story Raising Forecasts…Again LPL Research revises previous forecasts to better reflect the growing optimism of an economy on the rebound in this week’s Weekly Market Commentary, available at 1 p.m. ET. Daily Insights U.S. stocks … Continue reading →

Weekly Market Performance – Markets Steady Into April

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 20:16:37 +0000

Market Blog Thursday, April 1, 2021 Index Performance U.S. and International Equities The major United States and international markets were higher this week. The Nasdaq Composite was the best performing index while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained a fraction. … Continue reading →

March Market Insights – The Industrials Emerge

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:58:52 +0000

Market Blog Friday, April 1, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities This month provided positive results for the U.S. major market indexes. The top performer was the Dow Jones Industrial Average, returning over 7% for the … Continue reading →

Expect Inflation to be Contained Long Term—No Foolin’

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:59:02 +0000

Economic Blog Thursday, April 1, 2021 It’s tempting to predict runaway 1970s inflation as an April Fools’ Day joke. But at the risk of upsetting our friends in the compliance department, we’ll shoot straight here. With that important disclaimer out … Continue reading →

Straight Talk About Inflation | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:58:24 +0000

Thursday, April 1, 2021 Top Story Expect contained inflation long term It’s tempting to predict runaway 1970s inflation as an April Fools’ Day joke, but we don’t want to upset our friends in the compliance department, so we shoot straight … Continue reading →

Stocks and Inflation

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 15:58:33 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 31, 2021 As we continue LPL Research’s Inflation Week, today we will examine how stocks have historically done at different inflation levels. For more color on our views on inflation, please read here and here, and … Continue reading →

Gallon-sized Improvement in Employment | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:58:00 +0000

Wednesday, March 30, 2021 Top Story Gallon-sized Improvement in Employment In the latest LPL Street View, Research Chief Investment Officer, Burt White, makes the case that even though unemployment claims are at their lowest level since the pandemic started, we … Continue reading →

Stocks Love April

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 31, 2021 “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Mark Twain What more can we say other than few months have been kinder to stocks lately than the month of April. In fact, it was … Continue reading →

LPL Market Signals: Let’s Talk About Inflation

Published: Wed, 31 Mar 2021 06:00:36 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Is higher inflation on the way? This is the question nearly everyone is asking, and this week the LPL Strategists will explain why the answer is likely no, contrary to what so many expect. … Continue reading →

Bondholders’ Old Foe is Back

Published: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 15:58:02 +0000

Market Blog Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Inflation is coming and, according to certain market-based inflation metrics, markets are expecting sustained inflation rates not seen since the late 2000s, although likely still at manageable levels. Inflation, which captures price increases in … Continue reading →

Is High inflation On The Way? | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Tue, 30 Mar 2021 14:58:36 +0000

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Top Story Let’s Talk About Inflation LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder examine inflation concerns and explain why they think any increases in inflation will most likely be fleeting in … Continue reading →

A Humble Victory Lap

Published: Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:58:50 +0000

Market Blog Monday, March 29, 2021 It has been a little over a year since the S&P 500 Index bottomed on March 23, 2020, and it was certainly an eventful year, to say the least. It’s also been one year … Continue reading →

Inflation Upticks Likely Transitory | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:00:27 +0000

Monday, March 29, 2021 Top Story Are We on the Brink of an Inflation Crisis? LPL Research explains why any upticks in inflation will ultimately prove transitory in this week’s Weekly Market Commentary, available at 1 p.m. ET. Daily Insights … Continue reading →

Weekly Market Performance – Stocks Mixed While Treasuries Recover

Published: Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:58:00 +0000

Market Blog Friday, March 26, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities Major United States markets were mixed this week. U.S. small caps (Russell 2000 Index) have been the worst performing index for two straight weeks while … Continue reading →

Is 8% GDP Good for Stocks? | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:00:27 +0000

Friday, March 26, 2021 Daily Insights US stocks mixed as S&P 500 Index looks to avoid a second straight weekly decline; Nasdaq set to underperform The Federal Reserve announced that banks that clear the next round of stress tests will … Continue reading →

Why Big GDP Prints Aren’t Always Good For Stocks

Published: Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:00:57 +0000

Market Blog Friday, March 26, 2021 Our friends at Goldman Sachs recently announced a 2021 growth target for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 8% (Q4/Q4). Should this happen, it would be the biggest annual increase in GDP since 1951. Of … Continue reading →

The Big Winner of the Past Year: Commodities

Published: Thu, 25 Mar 2021 15:58:47 +0000

Market Blog Thursday, March 25, 2021 It has been just over a year since the S&P 500 Index bottomed on March 23, 2020, and while global stock markets have provided historic returns since the low, the biggest winners come from … Continue reading →

Commodities the Biggest Winners Since the Low | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 25 Mar 2021 14:59:11 +0000

Thursday, March 25, 2021 Top Story Commodities the biggest winners since the low. While stock markets have posted solid returns since the S&P 500 Index bottomed in March 2020, commodity markets have been on an absolute tear as economy activity … Continue reading →

LPL Market Signals: The Bull Market Turns One

Published: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 17:24:45 +0000

Market Blog Wednesday, March 24, 2021 A year ago this week the stock market bottomed and thus ended one of the most vicious bear markets of all-time. In our recent Market Signals video, LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick … Continue reading →

High Frequency Data: One Year After Lockdown

Published: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:59:32 +0000

Economic Blog Wednesday, March 24, 2021 It has now been a little over a year since the first COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns were implemented in the United States, with California having implemented the first stay-at-home order on March 19, 2020. … Continue reading →

High Frequency Data One Year After Lockdown | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:03:47 +0000

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 Top Story High frequency data one year after lockdown. It’s been a little over a year since the first COVID-19 restrictions were implemented in the United States, when California put in place the first stay-at-home orders … Continue reading →

Corporate Credit Markets Have Sold Off This Year. A Harbinger of Things to Come?

Published: Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:59:47 +0000

Market Blog Tuesday, March 23, 2023 While most market participants have been (rightly) focusing on the sell-off in the Treasury markets this year, U.S. corporate credit markets have sold off as well. Corporate credit markets, as defined by the Bloomberg … Continue reading →

The Bull Market Turns One | LPL Daily Market Update

Published: Tue, 23 Mar 2021 15:00:06 +0000

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 Top Story The Bull Market Turns One On the LPL Market Signals podcast, Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder consider what could be in store for stocks in year two of the … Continue reading →

Bull Market-Year Two | Daily Market Update

Published: Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:00:22 +0000

Monday, March 22, 2021 Top Story The Second Year Of The Bull Market Begins LPL Research discuss the end of the bear market and the trends of a bull market in year two in this week’s Weekly Market Commentary, available … Continue reading →

Weekly Market Performance – Markets Reverse Course

Published: Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:10:29 +0000

Market Blog Friday, March 19, 2021 Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities All major United States markets declined this week. U.S. small caps (Russell 2000 Index) were last week’s best performing index. This week, they reversed course … Continue reading →

Leading Indicators Remain Stubbornly Tepid

Published: Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:00:42 +0000

Economic Blog Friday, March 19, 2021 In almost every direction we turn, we see optimism mounting over a mid-2021 economic reacceleration. Unfortunately, it seems we will have to wait at least another month for that optimism to make their way … Continue reading →

The Day After | Daily Market Update

Published: Fri, 19 Mar 2021 15:18:18 +0000

Friday, March 19, 2021 Top Story The day after Yields soared, with the 10-year yield closing at 1.72%, its highest level in 14 months, with the 10-year on pace to be up eight consecutive weeks. Worries that the Federal Reserve … Continue reading →

LPL Market Signals: 4 Things That Really Matter For Stocks in 2021

Published: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 17:04:08 +0000

Market Blog Thursday, March 18, 2021 March is here and with it comes some Madness! In our recent Market Signals video, LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder discuss four things that matter the most … Continue reading →

Solid Global Growth Outlook but Multi-Speed

Published: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:59:43 +0000

Economic Blog Thursday, March 18, 2021 Last week we reviewed updated global economic growth forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), highlighting the significant increase in their gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for the United States this … Continue reading →

No Surprises From The Fed | Daily Market Update

Published: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:00:25 +0000

Thursday, March 18, 2021 Top Story The Federal Reserve (Fed) wrapped up its two-day meeting There were no surprises as the Fed upgraded growth and inflation expectations. Monetary policy was left unchanged with the Fed funds target rate remaining at … Continue reading →

Financial Planning: Helping You See the Big Picture

Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably?

These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached. That's where financial planning comes in. Financial planning is a process that can help you target your goals by evaluating your whole financial picture, then outlining strategies that are tailored to your individual needs and available resources.

More Information on Financial Planning

Why is financial planning important?

A comprehensive financial plan serves as a framework for organizing the pieces of your financial picture. With a financial plan in place, you'll be better able to focus on your goals and understand what it will take to reach them.

One of the main benefits of having a financial plan is that it can help you balance competing financial priorities. A financial plan will clearly show you how your financial goals are related--for example, how saving for your children's college education might impact your ability to save for retirement. Then you can use the information you've gleaned to decide how to prioritize your goals, implement specific strategies, and choose suitable products or services. Best of all, you'll know that your financial life is headed in the right direction.

The financial planning process

Creating and implementing a comprehensive financial plan generally involves working with financial professionals to:

Develop a clear picture of your current financial situation by reviewing your income, assets, and liabilities, and evaluating your insurance coverage, your investment portfolio, your tax exposure, and your estate plan
Establish and prioritize financial goals and time frames for achieving these goals
Implement strategies that address your current financial weaknesses and build on your financial strengths
Choose specific products and services that are tailored to meet your financial objectives
Monitor your plan, making adjustments as your goals, time frames, or circumstances change

Some members of the team

The financial planning process can involve a number of professionals. Financial planners typically play a central role in the process, focusing on your overall financial plan, and often coordinating the activities of other professionals who have expertise in specific areas. Accountants or tax attorneys provide advice on federal and state tax issues.

Estate planning attorneys help you plan your estate and give advice on transferring and managing your assets before and after your death. Insurance professionals evaluate insurance needs and recommend appropriate products and strategies. Investment advisors provide advice about investment options and asset allocation, and can help you plan a strategy to manage your investment portfolio. The most important member of the team, however, is you. Your needs and objectives drive the team, and once you've carefully considered any recommendations, all decisions lie in your hands.

Why can't I do it myself?

You can, if you have enough time and knowledge, but developing a comprehensive financial plan may require expertise in several areas. A financial professional can give you objective information and help you weigh your alternatives, saving you time and ensuring that all angles of your financial picture are covered.

Staying on track

The financial planning process doesn't end once your initial plan has been created. Your plan should generally be reviewed at least once a year to make sure that it's up-to-date. It's also possible that you'll need to modify your plan due to changes in your personal circumstances or the economy. Here are some of the events that might trigger a review of your financial plan:

Your goals or time horizons change
You experience a life-changing event such as marriage, the birth of a child, health problems, or a job loss
You have a specific or immediate financial planning need (e.g., drafting a will, managing a distribution from a retirement account, paying long-term care expenses)
Your income or expenses substantially increase or decrease
Your portfolio hasn't performed as expected
You're affected by changes to the economy or tax laws

Common questions about financial planning

What if I'm too busy?

Don't wait until you're in the midst of a financial crisis before beginning the planning process. The sooner you start, the more options you may have.

Is the financial planning process complicated?

Each financial plan is tailored to the needs of the individual, so how complicated the process will be depends on your individual circumstances. But no matter what type of help you need, a financial professional will work hard to make the process as easy as possible, and will gladly answer all of your questions.

What if my spouse and I disagree?

A financial professional is trained to listen to your concerns, identify any underlying issues, and help you find common ground.

Can I still control my own finances?

Financial planning professionals make recommendations, not decisions. You retain control over your finances. Recommendations will be based on your needs, values, goals, and time frames. You decide which recommendations to follow, and then work with a financial professional to implement them.

Contact a VyStar Investment Services Financial Advisor today by phone (904) 908-2495 or email VISMarketing@vystarcu.org.

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