Posts by Petersen Hastings Team
The Cost of Trying to Time the Market
The impact of missing just a few of the market’s best days can be profound, as this look at a hypothetical investment in the stocks that make up the S&P 500 Index shows. Staying invested and focused on the long term helps to ensure that you’re in the position to capture what the market has…
Read MoreUnderstanding Market Downturns
For prepared investors, market downturns can represent great opportunity. Nearly everywhere you turn, from friends and colleagues to cable news shows, you can find someone with a strong opinion about the financial markets. People will often use specific terms such as correction or bear market to render judgments about the direction of markets, especially when…
Read MoreBusiness Continuity Update
Last night, the Governor of Washington State issued a “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, requiring all Washingtonians to remain in their homes for the next two weeks, and exercise social distancing of at least six feet for those times that they need essential items. There are some exclusions to this order defined as “essential businesses”…
Read MoreSmart Things to Do (that many won’t) in a Down Market
One of the most unsettling aspects of market downturns is the fact they are out of your control. Markets move based on numerous variables that no one person can meaningfully control or even fully monitor. And when stock prices falter, the resulting steady drumbeat of negative news reports can drive many people to see the markets out…
Read MoreScott Sarber Joins KNDU to Discuss COVID-19’s Impact on the Stock Market
US Equity Returns Following Past Downturns Have Been Positive
Sudden market downturns can be unsettling. Sticking with your plan may put you in the best position to capture a recovery. A broad market index tracking data since 1926 in the US shows that stocks have generally delivered strong returns over one-year, three-year, and five-year periods following steep declines. US Equity Returns Following Sharp Downturns…
Read MoreA Tale of Two Decades: Lessons for Long-Term Investors
The first decade of the 21st century, and the second one that recently ended, have reinforced for investors some timeless market lessons: Returns can vary sharply from one period to another. Holding a broadly diversified portfolio can help smooth out the swings and focusing on known drivers of higher expected returns can increase the potential…
Read MoreHow the SECURE Act May Affect Your Company’s Retirement Plan
The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act of 2019, better known as the SECURE Act, was approved by the Senate on December 19, 2019, and signed into law on December 20 by President Donald Trump. The SECURE Act is the largest change to corporate retirement plan laws since the Pension Protection act of 2006.…
Read MoreHow the SECURE Act May Affect Individuals & Families
The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act of 2019, better known as the SECURE Act, was approved by the Senate on December 19, 2019, and signed into law on December 20 by President Donald Trump. The new law includes many reforms that will impact everyone from young families to retirees. Here are 5 ways…
Read MoreMarket Commentary: Fourth Quarter
Happy New Year! Global markets finished the year strong. Quarter 4 brought the S&P 500 Index up 9.07% for a 31.49% YTD return. Small companies represented by the Russell 2000 Index rose 9.94% for the quarter to put them up over 25% YTD. International stocks represented by the iShares MSCI EAFE Index also increased 8.17%…
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