Last week’s tax proposal presented real progress. For much of this year we have been espousing what has felt like a minority view — that Republicans would reach some sort of tax agreement in early 2018. After last week, that view may have become the majority — even if only a slight one — as key tax policy players in Washington, D.C. put out a framework with more details. The plan is geared toward securing votes from the most conservative wing of the Republican Party and appears to have achieved its objective. Here we share some implications of that proposal and explore what some market-based barometers of tax reform sh

The third quarter of 2017 was in many ways a tale of three markets for fixed income investors. When comparing the 10-year yield at the beginning of the quarter (2.35% on July 3, 2017) to the end of the quarter (2.33% on September 29, 2017), it doesn’t look like much changed. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth, as Figure 1 shows. Yields were moving higher when the third quarter began, as markets digested better than expected economic data and a hawkish tone from European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi. The 10-year yield was basically flat for July, before falling in August and recovering in September.

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A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits.

Determining when to take Social Security benefits is a complicated financial decision. Here are a few things to think about and discuss with your financial professional.

How long do you think you will live? If you have a family history that suggests you might live into your 90s, you may want to consider claiming Social Security later. If you start receiving Social Security benefits at or after full retirement age (FRA, which varies from age 66 to 67 for those born in 1943 or later), your monthly benefit will be larger than if you had claimed a

October 2017 ushers in shorter days and cooler weather, but the global bull market shows few signs of slowing down. The S&P 500 Index logged another gain last month, marking 6 consecutive monthly gains on a price basis and 11 in a row on a total return basis (including dividends). Incredibly, the S&P 500 has now finished green eight quarters in a row for only the fifth time ever. The global economy continues to expand, supporting the equity gains, but October is notorious for some of the largest moves in market history. Since 1950*, no month has sported more 1% daily changes than October. With earnings season starting, the initial thi