Small Businesses Articles
Explore by Topic
Q4 2025 Performance review & 2026 Outlook: Balancing growth with caution
Despite some volatility, stocks managed to finish 2025 in positive territory. The Morningstar Global Markets index rose 3.29% for the quarter, marking the third straight positive quarter. The rally was broader than most of 2025, as tech stocks actually lagged modestly and smaller companies outperformed. Non-U.S. stocks put in another strong quarter, with non-U.S. developed ... Read more
Five “can-do” resolutions that can kickstart your finances in 2026.
Many New Year’s resolutions get broken. And broken quickly. We’d like to share a simple strategy that can help you fix that – all while giving your finances in 2026 a kickstart. First, ever hear of “Quitter’s Day?” It’s the day that people start dropping their New Year’s fitness resolutions in big numbers. It falls ... Read more
Unlocking the potential of your 401(k): Tax benefits, contributions, and investment strategies.
401(k) plans are retirement accounts established by companies, offering substantial tax benefits and flexibility. These accounts provide a secure avenue for employees to save for their future, ensuring financial stability during retirement. For most workers, they are the backbone of their retirement strategy. Whether you are enrolling in a new plan, on your way to ... Read more
A year-end financial checklist: 2025 complete guide.
The end of the year is a time to make critical planning decisions for your taxes, investments, and savings. It’s also a time to reflect on the previous year and consider what may change in the year ahead. Now is the time to create a personalized and proactive strategy that dynamically evolves to meet your ... Read more
Will mortgage rates keep falling in 2026? A forecast & analysis
Mortgage rates have finally dipped below 7%, but will they keep falling in 2026? This analysis dives into the three key economic scenarios—from a steady economy to a full recession—that will determine the Federal Reserve's path on future rate cuts. We break down what it would take to see 5% mortgage rates, what could send them back to 7%, and what the new 50-year mortgage proposal could mean for homebuyers.
Flying blind: the Fed cuts rates at the October 2025 meeting
The Federal Reserve cut its target for interest rates by 0.25% at the October meeting. For a long time, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has told us the Fed’s decisions would be “data dependent.” However, with the government having been shut down for almost all of October, there is very little new data for the Fed ... Read more
Q3 2025 Performance Review: Navigating a market torn between AI boom and recession risk
Stocks had another strong quarter in 3Q. The Morningstar Global Markets index rose 7.57% for the quarter, ending just below the all-time high set in September. Gains were powered by enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence, hope for Fed rate cuts, and strong flows from individual investors. However, there are a number of risks that also became ... Read more
Fed cuts rates to battle recession risk, looking past inflation spike.
The Federal Reserve cut its target interest rate by 0.25% at the September 17 meeting. This has Wall Street wondering what comes next. Is this the start of a series of rate cuts? Or will lingering inflation problems make future cuts difficult? Here are our views on these questions and more. Weakening labor market convinced ... Read more
How to spot a private investment scam: A real-life due diligence guide.
The world of private investing can be challenging. There are some good investment opportunities out there, but there are also a lot of overly optimistic claims, false promises, and even outright scams. We happened to uncover an alleged scam when a Facet member asked us if they should invest in a certain private investment opportunity. ... Read more