By Kyle Tetting
News of the omicron variant quickly lowered stock markets in a holiday shortened trading session the day after Thanksgiving. While concerning — both for public health and potential economic impact — the specifics of the new COVID-19 variant aren’t understood enough yet to draw conclusions about what omicron means for stocks.
Nevertheless, the S&P 500 sold off more than 2% Nov. 26, and implied volatility – investors’ expectations for how bumpy the next 30 days will be – spiked 50%. It’s as if investors were just waiting for bad news.

As investors seek to raise fixed-income returns amid low interest rates, Kendall Bauer warns that reaching for yield entails risks. Kendall spoke with Kyle Tetting in a MONEY TALK VIDEO that was part of the 2021 Investment Outlook Seminar. […]

In a MONEY TALK VIDEO, Chris Evers suggests tools to help investors measure risk. […]

By Kyle Tetting
As the debate over the transient nature of our current inflationary environment rages on, it’s worth noting just how much nuance exists in the very ways we measure inflation. In most environments and during most times, those nuances are lost to the broader perspective. Either inflation is high or low, rising or falling. But the nuance does matter, and it’s especially relevant to the way we invest.

As a supplement to the 2021 Investment Outlook Seminar, the annual seminar quiz allows viewers to test their knowledge of the material covered in the video featuring investment advisors Bob Landaas, Kyle Tetting, Dave Sandstrom, Paige Radke, Chris Evers, Kendall Bauer and Mike Hoelzl. {…}

In a Money Talk Video, Bob Landaas and Kyle Tetting share an insightful conversation about the economy and financial markets and possible implications for long-term investors. Their discussion is followed by topical interviews with several other Landaas & Company advisors.
A key message is that investors need to look beyond the pandemic.
“At some point in time, COVID will be in the rearview mirror,” Bob said. “When you’re in the middle of it, I think it’s hard for a lot of people to look forward. But as long-term investors, that’s the key to the game.”

By Kyle Tetting
Eight months into 2021, we’re in the midst of what has been the best year for stocks since 1997. A little celebration may be in order, but it’s also important to note that periods of market strength provide immense opportunity to plan for less robust markets. And while the broad long-term outlook is decidedly optimistic, we’re not out of the woods yet.

By Kyle Tetting
What is certain, at least in the recovery to date, is that progress has been asymmetric. This is not unusual for an economy trying to emerge from the stresses of a recession.
However, that asymmetry fuels speculation about fundamental economic shifts that may come more from fear and observations of the early innings of recovery than from any longer-term expectations. Most notably, predictions about inflation have raged on since the last recession.

By Joel Dresang
The Roth gives us another option for cash in our retirement arsenal, and it’s ours tax-free. […]

Test your knowledge on a sample of discussions that Landaas & Company advisors have had in recent Money Talk Podcasts. […]

By Kyle Tetting
Remarkably, despite the pandemic now running more than a year, stocks continued to set new all-time highs in March 2021. Investors, now with a full year of returns under their belts, face an interesting time to be looking at account statements. One year after the bear market bottomed, the S&P 500 had gained nearly 75%. Of course, stripping out the sell-off that led to that bear market bottom isn’t exactly fair, but that’s just one of the problems with tying ourselves to overly simplistic views of our portfolio. Bring the starting point forward or back a few weeks, and things look drastically different. […]

To see if you’ve been paying attention, test your knowledge on a sample of what Landaas & Company advisors have addressed recently in Money Talk articles and during the weekly Money Talk Podcast. (Winners receive wisdom and bragging rights.) […]