After a strong start to the year February brought with it some volatility as the S&P 500 ended the month down about 2.5%, but is still up roughly 3.4% for the year.  We were not surprised to see volatility, and think that we could see more choppiness in the months ahead as investors continue to digest recession risk and potential Fed policy changes.

The impact of these factors is not limited to stocks, but also affects the bond market.  In February the 10 Year US Treasury Yield jumped from 3.52% at the beginning of the month, to 3.92% at month’s end.  For perspective the 10 Year Treasury was yielding 1.83% at this time last year. (YCharts)

Below, we’ll highlight two key groups that are impacted by higher rates:

Spring can be a fantastic time to refresh your retirement plan and savings habits. With 2023 bringing increased limits for 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and other tax-advantaged accounts, it's worth taking a closer look at your retirement savings. Below, we discuss three ways to refresh your retirement plan this spring.

One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Converted assets are subject to federal income tax in the year of conversion, which might be a substantial tax bill. However, if assets in your traditional IRA have lost value, you will pay taxes on a lower asset base when you convert.

In the U.S., men are investing and accumulating wealth at a greater pace than women, fueling the gender investing gap. Closing the investing gap is essential so that women accumulate enough retirement assets for their entire lives. On average, women in the U.S. have a life expectancy of 80.2 years compared to men having a life expectancy of 74.5 years, according to WorldData.info.

Having a good credit score doesn't just get you the best interest rates. It can also reduce your auto insurance premiums, allow you to avoid security deposits, and in some cases, even help you get hired.¹

2023 is off to a good start as both stocks and bonds rallied in January with the S&P 500 up about 6%.  (YCharts) This bounce was welcomed by investors as the mix of economic data suggested the Fed might be able to shift toward a less restrictive stance in the months to come.

That said, we wouldn’t be surprised to see market volatility ahead as we appear to be in an environment where investors are looking for Goldilocks data each month – not too strong (to cause higher inflation), not too weak (a sign of recession), but a “just-right” combination of economic growth at a reasonable pace.  This month we saw some data that gave us a glimpse of what that combination could look like:

What is business tax planning?

When starting a business, you must consider a number of tax-related issues. Although business tax planning is a complicated area, it is essential to understand three major topics: tax consequences when the business is formed, tax consequences when the business generates income or loss, and tax consequences of business distributions.

With healthcare costs continuing to rise, there are ways to help lower the cost of healthcare for yourself by becoming a wise consumer of healthcare. February is National Wise Health Care Consumer Month and a great time to empower people to make smart choices regarding their healthcare.

Looking for ways to save "I love you" on Valentine's Day? Then you may want to consider opening a spousal individual retirement account (IRA). This gift says, "Let's grow old together comfortably," and shows your partner that you care about their financial wellness. Beyond that, a spousal IRA offers the following advantages. 

The Super Bowl is more than just a game. It's an American holiday. As you prepare for this fun day, you may also want to think about how to create "big wins'' in your investment strategy. Get ready for Super Bowl Sunday by checking out these Super Bowl-inspired investment strategies.