Weekly Update: Good morning! Happy July 1st: Summer has finally arrived in the northwest part of the country.  The temperature has been in the mid-80’s and the ice cubes are in the drinks and not the lake. This will be a slow week due to the Holiday. The bond market (and our office) is closed on the fourth of July therefore, the fifth of July may be a little quiet. 

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Reflection on reflection. Last week, I wrote about reflecting on the past few weeks speculation of the FOMC and the perceived need to lower interest rates.  I stated, “I think we all need to take a step back and think clearly about the question being debated – Will the FOMC lower the Federal Funds rate any time soon?”. I want to thank all of

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Reflection. As I sit along the water’s edge, I see the reflection of the sun setting and the moon rising.  This serene moment encourages me to reflect on the past week.  News anchors’ have been talking, economists have been prognosticating, and the world is speculating: “Will the FOMC lower the Federal Funds rate any time soon?”. I think we all need to take a

Weekly Update: Good morning! To quote Charley this past Saturday, “The election process has started again? Seriously?” Elections: It has started again.  Nineteen of the twenty (yes 20) Democratic presidential hopefuls visited Iowa this weekend to raise money.  I will now be turning off the TV for the next year. US Treasury yields: US Treasury yields are very low, again.  Mortgage rates are back under 4.00%.  Yields: 3-Month Treasury =

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Skylines Rising… By Charley. Economic Growth: I am currently in New York City for a conference, and as I look at the skyline, it reminds me of my hometown of Detroit. There is a lot of building going on; cranes are all over the city. Economic prosperity is happening everywhere I look. As I chat with clients who have construction suppliers or builders as

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Mother’s Day and Father’s Day… By Charley. Two days in the spring: In mid-May, we celebrate Mother’s Day, and a month later in mid-June, we celebrate Father’s Day.  The founder of the modern-day Mother’s Day is Anna Jarvis (Now all I can think of is the movie Iron Man) in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908. Is Mother’s Day a financial success?  It is, and

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Derby, Rockets, and Unemployment… By Charley. Derby: Lots of sports have interference rules.  Who knew the Kentucky Derby also had them?  Maximum Security (the un-winner) interfered with the other horses.  Thus, the 2nd place horse, Country House was announced the winner.  Conspiracy is sure to follow, as there were $6 million more win bets on Maximum Security. Rockets: Rocket Man, as the North Korean

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Markets and Inflation… By Charley. Markets: The technology sector is on fire.  In the last four months, the value of technology stocks has increased by more than one trillion dollars.  Vanguard investment company has seen its flagship technology fund VGT increase by over $400 million in one day.  The fund now has more than $21 billion in it. Technology is not the only successful

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Millennials are just like me as a kid, except… By Charley. Driving: The number of 16-year old’s with driver licenses has declined by 20% since 1983.  Only 25% of 16-year-olds have a drivers license now.  It appears that cars are not as important, especially with Social Media and Uber.  It is easier to higher a driver for a ride than own a car.  Also,

Weekly Update: Good morning! Today’s Title: Golf and Thrones: Both are games, by Charley. Golf: Who knew that while lounging around at 9 am on a Sunday one could watch the Masters?  A little threat of rain and the game was moved up.  Tiger was able to fire up the crowd for his 5th victory at the Masters.  Who knew green jackets were so popular! Thrones: The 8th season of