The SECURE Act of 2019 represented the biggest update to retirement law in over a decade. Now, Congress is deliberating on what “SECURE 2.0” legislation might entail.
In March, the House passed the Securing a Strong Retirement Act with a bipartisan 414-5 vote. The Senate is still weighing numerous proposals for their version, the Rise & Shine Act.
Proposals under consideration include:
Raising the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age to 73 (eventually 75)
Increasing catch-up contributions to $10,000
Creating Roth versions of SIMPLE and SEP IRAs
Reconciling these bills will take time, but it’s clear that SECURE 2.0 could bring about another raft of significant changes for business owners and employees. As always, I’m keeping an eye out for what you need to know and will be in touch as events develop.
Stocks turned in a mixed performance last week as investors struggled with headlines suggesting that the Fed was unlikely to soon ease up on its current monetary tightening policy.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 0.36%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up 2.15% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained 0.23%. 1,2,3
Showing Resilience
Ahead of Friday’s employment report, stocks were generally higher, highlighted by a Wednesday rally triggered by fresh earnings surprises and a better-than-expected economic report. The rally was especially notable because it occurred when multiple Fed officials said that the fight against inflation hadn’t ended, perhaps throwing cold water on the idea that the Fed might pivot due to weakening economic activity and the prospect of cooling inflation.
Aside from this single day of enthusiasm, markets were a bit jittery, especially as investors monitored Speaker of the House Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. A robust employment report on Friday reinforced the idea that the Fed would likely stay the course on monetary tightening, resulting in a mixed market for the week.
Employment Report
The U.S economy added 528,000 jobs in July, doubling the consensus expectation of 258,000. The unemployment rate ticked lower, falling from 3.6% to 3.5%. Coincident with this job creation was strong wage growth, as average hourly earnings rose 0.5% in July and 5.2% from a year ago. 4
Leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and healthcare lead the way in reported job gains, as seen in most sectors of the economy. Even sectors such as construction, particularly vulnerable to rising interest rates, saw job gains. The labor force participation rate moved slightly lower, slipping to 62.1%–its lowest level this year. 5
This Week: Key Economic Data
Wednesday: Consumer Price Index (CPI). Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services Index. Factory Orders.
Thursday: Jobless Claims. Producer Price Index (PPI).
Friday: Consumer Sentiment.
Source: Econoday, August 5, 2022 The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Monday: Dominion Energy, Inc. (D), Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN).
Tuesday: Emerson Electric Co. (EMR).
Wednesday: The Walt Disney Company (DIS).
Thursday: Illumina, Inc. (ILMN).
Source: Zacks, August 5, 2022 Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
“People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have.”
– Anne Tyler
The IRS May Send You One of Two Notices If Your Filed Returns Don’t Match Their Records
Have you wondered what happens if the information on your tax return doesn’t match the IRS records? The IRS mails out two notices, CP2100 and CP2100A, to banks, credit unions, businesses, and payers that may have made a mistake on their return.
The IRS mails these notices out twice a year, in September/October and April of the following year. Payers may receive a notice if their return is missing a Taxpayer Identification number, has an incorrect name, or both. The notices also tell payers that they are responsible for backup withholding.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov6
This Cognitive Behavioral Exercise Can Help Quiet Your Negative Self-Talk
We all have that little negative voice in our head, and one of the ways to combat it is to change the way you think about situations. Stressful things will always happen, but the goal is to change your feelings about those stressful situations.
To practice this exercise, separate a piece of paper into three columns. One is for your negative thought, one is for the cognitive distortion at play, and one is for your rational response (thinking logically about how you’re feeling). Here’s an example:
Negative thought: I did horrible on my presentation today and am getting fired. Cognitive distortion: All or nothing thinking, jumping to conclusions Rational response: Maybe it wasn’t my best presentation, but overall the quality of my work is good
These cognitive exercises take a lot of practice but can help silence your inner critic.
Tip adapted from Healthline7
Just two U.S. states have capital cities whose names include the full name of the state. What states are they?
Last week’s riddle: A rain gauge collects rainfall each day of a wet week beginning on Monday. Every day, the amount of rain in the gauge doubles. At Sunday’s end, the rain gauge is completely filled. So on which day is it half-filled?Riddle answer: The rain gauge is half-full on Saturday and the amount of rain in the gauge doubles on Sunday so it becomes completely filled.
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.
International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.
Please consult your financial professional for additional information.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection and are backed by the U.S. government.
I Bonds are pretty simple to set up. You can go to TreasuryDirect.gov and open a free account to purchase these federally-backed securities directly from the U.S. Treasury.1
Here’s how to get started.
1. Gather your info. Make sure you have the following close at hand: your taxpayer identification number, current address, checking or savings account information, and email address.
2. Go to Treasurydirect.gov’s account creation page. Navigate to the bottom of the page and select “Apply Now” on the left. This will begin your account creation journey. Next, you will choose between an Individual or Entity account. Select Individual account type (it’s the default option) and click “Submit.”
3. Enter your info. Using the information gathered in step 1, fill in the fields requested and check the box at the bottom to certify your Taxpayer Identification Number. Click “Submit.”
4. Select a personalized image. Take some time here to select an image and caption you will remember. Think of this as a visual password for your account. Click “Submit.”
5. Secure your account. Select your password and security questions on this screen. Make sure the answers to your security questions are impossible to guess but easy to remember. Click “Submit” to move to the final step.
6. Check your email. Finally, look for your TreasuryDirect account number in your email. You’ll need this to log into your account later.2
You can begin purchasing I Bonds now that you’ve created your account. Here are a few things to keep in mind. I Bonds earn interest for 30 years unless you cash them in. You can do this after a year has passed from the time of purchase, but you’ll lose the previous three months of interest. However, there is no penalty if you let them mature for five years or more. The maximum amount you can invest is $10,000 total per calendar year.3
Questions about I Bonds, or anything else financial? Feel free to reach out anytime.
1. Treasurydirect.gov, 2022
2. Treasurydirect.gov, 2022
3. Treasurydirect.gov, 2022
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite, LLC, is not affiliated with the named representative, broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
Undaunted by another Fed rate hike and news of a contracting economy, the stock market rallied last week on better-than-expected corporate earnings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 2.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 4.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 4.70% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.95%.1,2,3
Stocks Rally on Earnings
It was an inauspicious start to the week after a big-box retailer missed earnings and reduced forward guidance on Tuesday, sparking a broad market retreat.
But sentiment improved following mega-cap technology company earnings that proved better than expected. Enthusiasm gathered steam in the wake of the Fed’s 0.75% rate hike, boosted by Fed Chair Powell’s comments following Wednesday’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Powell indicated that it might become appropriate to slow the pace of future hikes, and he didn’t believe the economy had entered into recession. Stocks on Thursday shrugged off news of a second-consecutive quarter of negative economic growth to build on Wednesday’s gains as fresh earnings continued to comfort, if not impress, investors.4
Economy Contracts
The U.S. economy shrank at an annualized rate of 0.9% in the second quarter as consumers pulled back on spending and businesses worked to reduce inventories. It was the second-consecutive quarter of negative economic growth, meeting the technical definition of a recession. Unlike past recessions, hiring has been strong all year, with the unemployment rate near historic lows.5
The economic slowdown was attributable primarily to decreases in inventories, a deceleration in the housing market, and lower government spending. Consumer spending increased a tepid one percent, well below the inflation rate during the same period.6
This Week: Key Economic Data
Monday: Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Index.
Tuesday: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
Wednesday: Automated Data Processing (ADP) Employment Report. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services Index. Factory Orders.
Thursday: Jobless Claims.
Friday: Employment Situation.
Source: Econoday, July 29, 2022 The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Tuesday: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL), Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT), Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU), Starbucks Corporation (SBUX), Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), Marriott International, Inc. (MAR).
Wednesday: CVS Health Corporation (CVS), Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT), PPL Corporation (PPL), Booking Holdings, Inc. (BKNG), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN).
Thursday: Block, Inc. (SQ), Twilio, Inc. (TWLO), Amgen, Inc. (AMGN), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), ConocoPhillips (COP), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD), Albemarle Corporation (ALB), Kellogg Company (K).
Friday: Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (BRK.A).
Source: Zacks, July 29, 2022 Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
“Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.”
– Steve Jobs
Don’t Forget to Take Advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The work opportunity tax credit is a federal tax credit for business owners that have hired individuals from target groups that would have otherwise faced significant barriers when looking for a job. Some target groups include summer youth employees, those receiving Supplemental Security Income, or qualified long-term unemployment recipients. There are ten targeted groups in total.
The work opportunity tax credit equals 40% of up to $6,000 wages paid or incurred with a maximum credit of $2,400. The WOTC may consider up to $24,000 in wages for certain qualified veteran targeted groups. There are some restrictions on the IRS’ site.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov7
Stay Safe This Summer With These Open Water Safety Tips
Summer is the perfect time to spend at the beach, lake, or river. But unfortunately, these natural bodies of water can also be hazardous if you don’t know how to stay safe. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe in the water this summer:
Only swim in the designated swimming area. Take note of flags and buoys that mark where you can and can’t swim.
When in doubt, get out! If something doesn’t feel suitable, such as a current picking up, it’s better to err on the side of caution and get out.
Know the conditions before you swim. The more you know about water levels, temperature, and current, the better.
Never swim alone when in open water. Always swim with a buddy who can look out for you, and you can look out for them.
Tip adapted from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance8
A rain gauge collects rainfall each day of a wet week beginning on Monday. Every day, the amount of rain in the gauge doubles. At Sunday’s end, the rain gauge is completely filled. So on which day is it half-filled?
Last week’s riddle: I can’t be seen, but I’m all around. I have no mouth, yet can make a sound. I can be harnessed, but never bound. No hands have I, yet I move the ground. What am I?Riddle answer: Wind.
Village of Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Footnotes and Sources
1. The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2022
2. The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2022
3. The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2022
4. The Wall Street Journal, July 27, 2022
5. CNBC, July 28, 2022
6. CNBC, July 28, 2022
7. IRS.gov, May 5, 2022
8. NDPA.org, May 26, 2022
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.
International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.
Please consult your financial professional for additional information.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
Cyber insurance is getting more expensive and tougher to acquire. At RSA Conference 2022, Microsoft’s Cynthia James discussed the common mistakes made when obtaining coverage.
The volatility of the cyber insurance market and the threat landscape makes understanding how your company fits into both incredibly important.
Cynthia James, an enterprise security executive at Microsoft, spoke at RSA Conference 2022 on Monday about what makes cyber insurance so tricky and the best ways for CISOs and others in the field to navigate the complex market.
To open, James acknowledged that even cyber insurance companies may not always have a grasp on what they are doing. She cited a conversation she had in 2017 with a cyber insurance provider that was sponsoring a convention.
“I said, ‘How is it that you guys know how to estimate who is going to get hit, and for how much, when we don’t even know?'” James said. “They said ‘Oh, we don’t know; we just want a piece of that market because we know it’s going to be big.'”
James then mentioned that while the market did explode in recent years, the costs and overall stress on the field increased, too. In 2019, experts said cyber insurance policies were inexpensive and easy to obtain, with minimal underwriting or cybersecurity reviews. James noted that companies used to be able to get $3 million in coverage for $3,000.
“You can’t get anything close to that today,” she said, adding that the price for the same coverage is closer to $300,000 today.
The reasons are simple, James said. There isn’t a lot of actuarial data for insurance carriers to properly assess risk, but there are a lot of cyber attacks, and they’re becoming too costly for the market.
“It’s a big market [worth] $20 billion in 2021, but it has a terrible loss ratio. The way the insurance companies look at it is, for every dollar they bring in for a premium, they want to pay 50 cents or less on a claim,” James said, noting that the ratio for cyber insurance is much higher. “80 cents on every dollar goes out [for cyber claims], which is a huge problem for them.”
MICROSOFT CYBER INSURANCE RSA CONFERENCE 2022
Microsoft’s Cynthia James explained that the cyber insurance market can fluctuate wildly because there isn’t enough actuarial data and because organizations are at great risk of cyber attacks.
According to James, the complexity of the plans and the coverage is rising with the prices. She noted that insurance providers will riddle policies with fine print, making the job of an adept CISO who can accurately address the needs of the company even more important.
While around 95% of claims are paid, insurance providers will sometimes waive coverage following an event. James said that the top five reasons insurers don’t pay are:
“It’s related to the same breach as last year.”
“We only pay up to _____ (sublimit).”
“We only pay for costs AFTER you notify us.”
“We gave you negotiators/forensics/media advice you didn’t use.”
“Your depiction of your security posture was inaccurate.”
The first error was not making sure to get more than one bid for a policy and not trying and get as much coverage as possible within the budget allotted. James urged audience members to go to more than one provider and capitalize on any possible cost reductions that are available like better security posture scoring or advancing technology.
The second was not being explicit enough with the coverage and allowing for providers to harp on fine print and technicalities to avoid paying out claims. These can include policy exclusions for cyber acts of war, which have loomed in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the escalating cyber attacks that followed.
The third pitfall was not communicating with the rest of the company about the different trade-offs of each plan and what is best for the company. James said one of the worst things a CISO or someone in a similar position could do is fail to document the suggestions and end up a scapegoat following a breach.
The fourth pitfall was overreporting or underreporting incidents to insurance providers. She recommended that providers be kept in the loop about a company’s security breach and make sure that they are alerted on time. However, she also said that telling too much about a breach could lead to them picking out minor examples of human negligence to void the coverage.
The fifth pitfall was similar to the fourth — oversharing or undersharing when it comes to the state of a company’s security systems. An insurance provider should be made aware of the state of a customer’s cybersecurity posture and any significant updates made, but they do not need to see the underbelly of the infrastructure, James said.
The sixth was that a company should never renew a cyber insurance policy without first revaluating the policy price as well as the threat environment. Throughout her presentation, James hammered home that an active examination of the company’s risk and potential cost is incredibly important for getting proper coverage.
The final pitfall that James mentioned was not ensuring that all critical threats are covered. If a company cannot have full top-down coverage due to its size, she said it is imperative that it examines which systems are at the highest risk and which are the most valuable and make sure that they are insured for all kinds of breaches. She also urged organizations to present specific attack scenarios to their insurance carriers to make sure those types of threats will be covered.
James said that the best way to spend money and obtain affordable coverage by implementing multifactor authentication, phish-testing users, have tested backup systems and encrypt sensitive data, among others. In closing, she urged audience members who have cyber insurance to get a copy of their current policies to review for any pitfalls, errors or shortcomings that need to be addressed.
Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The Nasdaq Composite index jumped 3.33% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 3.54%.1,2,3
Earnings Propel Stocks
Earnings season kicked off last week, with major banks reporting second-quarter results. While their results were mixed, they appeared to indicate that consumers and businesses remained reasonably healthy–a perspective that helped erase some negative sentiment overhanging the market.
As the week progressed, stocks gained momentum as earnings results poured in from different sectors of the economy, showing that businesses were navigating higher inflation and slowing growth better than investors feared. Technology and other gloomier sectors were among the market’s best performers for the week. A few disappointing corporate reports and a weak economic report sent stocks lower to close out a solid week.
Cracks in the Foundation
Data released last week indicated more trouble in the housing market. The latest monthly homebuilder sentiment survey showed the single largest monthly drop in its 37-year history, except for April 2020. The sentiment report preceded a drop in June housing starts and issued building permits. Housing starts declined for the second month, falling 2.0% and surprising economists who had expected an increase.4,5
Housing weakness made itself known through a 5.4% month-over-month decline in June’s existing home sales, representing the slowest pace since June 2020. Increasing prices and higher mortgage rates demonstrated drags on buyer demand.6
Source: Econoday, July 22, 2022
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Tuesday: Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), General Electric Company (GE), Visa, Inc. (V), Alphabet, Inc. (GOOGL), General Motors Company (GM), The Coca Cola Company (KO), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), 3M Company (MMM), Texas Instruments, Inc. (TXN), United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), KimberlyClark Corporation (KMB).
Wednesday: The Boeing Company (BA), Ford Motor Company (F), Qualcomm, Inc. (QCOM), Bristol Myers Squibb Company (BMY), Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), Shopify, Inc. (SHOP), ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW), General Dynamics Corporation (GD), Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC).
Thursday: Apple, Inc. (AAPL), Intel Corporation (INTC), Mastercard, Inc. (MA), Pfizer, Inc. (PFE), Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), The Southern Company (SO), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC), Southwest Airlines (LUV).
Friday: AbbVie, Inc. (ABBV), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), Chevron Corporation (CVX), The Procter & Gamble Company (PG), ColgatePalmolive Company (CL).
Source: Zacks, July 22, 2022
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.”
– Oprah Winfrey
Not All Third-Party Payroll Service Providers Are Equal
Many business owners do the necessary due diligence when hiring a company to handle payroll and payroll tax. But not all choices are the same. A business needs to pick this service wisely because it could fall out of the IRS guidelines if they don’t.
To avoid missed deposits for employment taxes and other important bills, here are some choices to help ensure business owners have a trusted payroll service:
Use a certified professional employer organization.
Use a reporting agent.
Enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to ensure your payroll service providers use EFTPS to max tax deposits. This free platform gives employers quick access to their payment history for deposits under their EIN.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov7
Celebrate Summer With This Fresh Salad
The weather is heating up, so cool down with this tasty, healthy, fresh watermelon salad!
Ingredients
5 cups of cubed watermelon
1 cup of diced cucumber
¼ cup thinly sliced red onions
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 avocado, cubed
⅓ cup torn mint or basil leaves
Sea salt
For the dressing
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lime juice
½ garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Arrange the watermelon, cucumber, and red onions and drizzle with half the dressing. Then, add the feta, avocado, and mint. Drizzle with the rest of the dressing. Salt to taste and serve.
Tip adapted from Love and Lemons8
I can’t be seen, but I’m all around. I have no mouth, yet can make a sound. I can be harnessed, but never bound. No hands have I, yet I move the ground. What am I?
Last week’s riddle: You have 9 seemingly identical cubes before you. You are told that one is heavier than the other eight. Using a two-pan balance scale only twice, how can you pick out the heaviest cube?Riddle answer: Divide the 9 cubes into 3 groups of 3. Weigh two groups. This way, you can find out which group has the heavier cube in it. Choose 2 cubes from this group and compare their weights. By deduction, you will determine the heaviest cube.
Tre Cime Di Lavaredo, Sexten Dolomites, Italy
Footnotes and Sources
1. The Wall Street Journal, July 22, 2022
2. The Wall Street Journal, July 22, 2022
3. The Wall Street Journal, July 22, 2022
4. CNBC, July 18, 2022
5. The Wall Street Journal, July 19, 2022
6. CNBC, July 20, 2022
7. IRS.gov, May 11, 2022
8. Love and Lemons, May 26, 2022
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.
International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.
Please consult your financial professional for additional information.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
