A Strong Economy or Looming Recession?

Investment Management Research Group (IMRG) of 1st Global Impending signs of “doom” lurking around the corner sent U.S. stock markets into a tailspin this week, falling roughly 4 percent at their lowest intra-day point. Volatility and downward pressure has been a relatively consistent theme for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 index and … Continued

October 2018 – An Economic and Market Update


Executive Summary Domestic stock markets and particularly tech stocks have performed well in 2018, but more traditional companies, bonds, and international assets have not kept pace. Addressing uncertainty requires time spent identifying how a market downturn or recession will impact your financial plan.  The Federal Reserve is optimistic for continued strength in the economy although … Continued

Don’t be an Aretha Franklin and Neglect your Estate

Fall is in the air and Thanksgiving is around the corner. We use this time of year to remind ourselves to take a look and be thankful for what we have worked for, built and created up to this point in our lifetime. Financially speaking, this accumulation of wealth and valuables is collectively known as … Continued

The Credit Freeze

Last summer we shared with you the extent of the Equifax data breach and the impact it had on 143 million American consumers whose personally identifiable information was stolen. The trend continues and in 2018 alone, several retailers from K-Mart to Sax Fifth Avenue have reported compromised customer data. Even social media giant Facebook was … Continued

What to do with the Q?

If you have lived in San Diego for any amount of time, you likely have memories from “The Q.” The building, built in 1967 and originally called Jack Murphy Stadium after a local sports writer that rallied public support for its construction, has been host to Padres, Aztec and Charger games along innumerable concerts, amateur … Continued

July 2018 – Economic and Market Update

AN ECONOMIC AND MARKET UPDATE Quarterly Market Update – July 2018 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • An increasing interest rate environment is forcing us to remember why we invest in bonds in the first place. • Monetary and fiscal policy are at odds with one another as higher rates mute the GDP multiplier of the Trump tax cuts. • … Continued

2nd Quarter of 2018 – Snapshot of the Financial Markets

This report features world capital market performance and a timeline of events for the past quarter. It begins with a global overview, then features the returns of stock and bond asset classes in the US and international markets. The report also illustrates the performance of globally diversified portfolios and features a quarterly topic.

Take A Road Trip This Summer…You Will Have Fun…We Guarantee It

May is here and Summer is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to start planning a road trip to explore this great country of ours and see sights you have never seen before, or perhaps visit some old favorites. With some patience and some planning, you can have an incredible time even … Continued

Using a ROTH IRA for College Savings

Let’s face it, the importance of a college education in today’s society is no big secret. In 2017, some 20.4 million students attended American colleges and universities, an increase of about 5.1 million since fall 2000[i]. There has been a 30% increase in college attendance from 2000 to today. And as the law of supply … Continued

April 2018 – An Economic and Market Update

Quarterly Market Update – April 2018 Executive Summary Global markets have sold off amidst a spate of disconcerting news. We now live under a new tax regime and early analysis confirms our original assessment that most taxpayers will be better off, with three groups identified as clear winners. The trade war with China is generating … Continued