4th and Final COVID Update - Context

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
This is my fourth and final blog post on COVID data. Similar to my first post in early April and subsequent posts, the intent is to provide graphs of key metrics for context. Similar to my last post in mid-July, I will end on the exciting developments of promising vaccines.

Asset Class Returns - 10/31/2020

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
The first part of October continued the strong rally from late September but peaked on October 10 weekend. Most equity indices ended down but small caps and emerging markets held on to gains. Technology definitely ended down.

Asset Class Returns - 09/30/2020

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
Welcome to fall when things cool a bit. Most markets embraced this season as well in September. The word ‘correction’ was even invoked for the NASDAQ, but recall the heat of August.
It is that time of year again - cooler air, harvest, football - and the inflation adjustment for Social Security benefits and maximum salary subject to Social Security payroll taxes. The final CPI-W data point will be released October 13th but with 2 of the 3 data points known, an early estimate can be calculated.

Asset Class Returns - 08/31/2020

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
The usual suspects are still flying. I repeat the charts showing major asset class returns followed by the comparison of NASDAQ and growth vs. value to help visualize the almost 40% YTD returns. I then focus on a few negative monthly returns (yes Virginia, there were a few “-“'s) related to the Fed’s inflation policy.

New Rates on Federal Student Loans - and Temporarily 0%

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
It’s back-to-school time – no really, it is. And though not all schools will have a fall football season, they all have tuition bills. Check out the latest rates for Federal Student Loans (temporarily 0% rate!), amounts available and how it can fit in to the overall funding for college.

Asset Class Returns - 07/31/2020

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
This past month saw a strong march higher in … well… everything, even inflation (ok, cash was flat and will be for a while). And the YTD total return winner is not technology but rather the 30-year treasury at 30+%.

Covid Numbers Are Up, But Ask 4 Questions

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
Given the increase in COVID-19 numbers and news coverage, this blog updates data I posted back in April and May. The overall picture doesn’t appear as dire as the headlines when you ask the data these four questions.

Asset Class Returns - 06/30/2020

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
You have seen the headlines – “best quarter since 1998!”. But always remember the starting point of a given return metric and recall the level of uncertainty at the end of March.

No “Dad Jokes”, Just “Dad Financial Questions”

by Kirk Kreikemeier on
Categories
To the recent college graduates – Congratulations! Your last semester didn’t go as planned in these unique times but an exciting future still lies ahead. Some of the topics in that future will be financial related. In this blog post I share some general financial advice for those early (or not so early) in their career in a Q & A format.