AN ECONOMIC AND MARKET UPDATE February 2026 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2025 ended a third straight of positive domestic equity returns. Introducing our Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew. Trump Accounts are around the corner. Check out https://trumpaccounts.gov/ for how to make an election to open an account. This was a year where the various moving parts all … Continued
Executive Summary Trump Accounts (IRC §530A) are a new federal, tax-advantaged investment account for children, structured as a special kind of traditional IRA that is owned by the child but managed by an authorized adult while the child is a minor. They are not a social media platform or consumer subscription service. The IRS describes … Continued
ROSES ARE RED, TAXES ARE DUE: HOW VALENTINE’s DAY IS BASICALLY APRIL 15th IN DISGUISE At first glance, Valentine’s Day and the tax deadline seem like opposites. One promises romance, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. The other delivers receipts, spreadsheets, and mild panic. But look a little closer, and you’ll realize they have more in common … Continued
The following 2026 Market Outlook is authored by Brian Andrew, Chief Investment Officer at Merit Financial Group, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Mr. Andrew, formerly Executive Vice President at Johnson Financial Group, oversees Merit’s investment department and leads asset allocation decision-making for client portfolios. As we expand our content offerings this year, we’re excited … Continued
CalSavers Requirements California now requires all employers with at least one employee to offer a retirement savings plan. This mandate is fully phased in by December 31, 2025. Below is a summary of next steps: Who Must Comply by 12/31/25? Any California employer with 1 or more employees Applies even if employees are part-time or … Continued
What is the yield curve and why does it matter? It’s hard to predict a recession—when to expect one, how severe it might be, and what a recovery could look like. And yet, for all of the variables around predicting a potential recession, there’s one indicator that has been largely accurate, predicting every U.S. recession … Continued
For those of us who grew up with rotary phones, Saturday morning cartoons, and cassette tapes, Halloween wasn’t just about sugar rushes and plastic pumpkins — it was a cultural time capsule. Costumes weren’t ordered with a click; they were assembled with ingenuity, parental duct tape, and a touch of DIY grit. So when you … Continued
AN ECONOMIC AND MARKET UPDATE October 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Federal Reserve announced another 25 basis point rate cut, but cautioned against expecting a further cut in December. The First Brands implosion was another reminder that we have a debt problem in this country. Trump Accounts are coming for the kids and that is a … Continued
Discover how dollar-cost averaging lets you buy low and sell high without timing the market—boosting returns by 8% through consistent investing strategies.