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Stocks in October: Shutdown Uncertainty vs. Q4 Seasonal Gains

Stocks in October: Shutdown Uncertainty vs. Q4 Seasonal Gains

As a kid, October was the month for opportunity. It’s when walnuts fell from the tree, and my Poppy and I would pick them up and haul them in feed sacks to sell. It was work in the beginning, but it gave us some extra spending money at the end. That might be exactly...

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Mortgage Rates Are Rising Despite Fed Cuts—Here’s Why

Mortgage Rates Are Rising Despite Fed Cuts—Here’s Why

My wife and I bought our first house in 1997 for $23,000 and had a 7.5% mortgage rate. Even though the loan was small, it was still scary for a new finance guy and a school teacher. A lower interest rate would have really helped us out. We don’t worry so much about...

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Markets React as Fed Shifts Policy, Investors Look Ahead

Markets React as Fed Shifts Policy, Investors Look Ahead

Markets are entering a new phase following the Federal Reserve’s latest decision, which marked a meaningful shift in its fight to balance inflation and economic growth. While the Fed’s move to lower rates was widely anticipated, the real story is what happens next —...

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UK Debt Crisis: A Warning Sign for the World

UK Debt Crisis: A Warning Sign for the World

I was in Las Vegas over the weekend for the Eagles concert and had to walk through casinos to get to restaurants. I was shocked to see signs saying the casino takes credit cards. Instead of stopping their gambling, people were moving on from cash to credit and...

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September’s Market Test: What History, Rates, GDP, and Profits Tell Us

September’s Market Test: What History, Rates, GDP, and Profits Tell Us

For nearly a century, September has been the S&P 500’s weakest month. Since 1928, the index has averaged a decline of just over one percent and has finished lower more than half the time—worse than any other month of the year. Fervent Wealth Management is a financial management and services entity in Springfield, Missouri.

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The Trap of Calm Markets: What Every Investor Should Know

The Trap of Calm Markets: What Every Investor Should Know

Market volatility, which is just a fancy way of saying market swing, is currently sitting at unusually low levels. Investors use volatility reports to measure market risk and watch for market uncertainty or instability. Fervent Wealth Management is a financial management and services entity in Springfield, Missouri.

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Heat Wave and Hot Stocks: How Investors Can Stay Ahead

Heat Wave and Hot Stocks: How Investors Can Stay Ahead

The strength of the market proves yet again that the fundamentals of the US economy and corporate America can withstand a lot. In a volatile first half, the S&P 500 experienced an impressive recovery from the April lows, ending June at a new record high. Fervent Wealth Management is a financial management and services entity in Springfield, Missouri.

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Resilience and Opportunity: A Midyear Market Update

Resilience and Opportunity: A Midyear Market Update

There has been no shortage of market challenges in the first half of this year. There were tariff negotiations, a market correction, various Middle Eastern conflicts, a three-year low in the dollar, and a fight between President Trump and the Federal Reserve, all of which have the potential to negatively affect the markets.

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IPO to Espionage: The Rise and Fall of a Tech Startup

IPO to Espionage: The Rise and Fall of a Tech Startup

In February 2022, just a few days after telling the US government that it would stop sharing sensitive technology with its Chinese partners linked to the Chinese military, TuSimple transferred a large batch of data to a Chinese firm, which then passed it on to the Chinese army. Fervent Wealth Management is a financial management and services entity in Springfield, Missouri.

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