Learning Through the Uncertainty

The transition from 2022 to 2023 was hallmarked by market volatility and continued uncertainty. Although it may be impossible to predict the future, our Roundtable ™ team of advisors believes that there are always opportunities to learn in any phase of the market cycle.

Our advisors regularly appear on national media outlets to share their financial knowledge with readers and viewers like you, so to get up to speed on current market trends and prepare your financial plan for the unknown future, read about these recent media appearances:

Market Analysis Update for EOY 2022 and January 2023

• Major market benchmarks experienced weekly gains in early December. Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President Nicole Webb said in a phone interview with MarketWatch, “The labor market remaining hot continues to justify what the Fed is doing.” Read more in the article U.S. Stocks End Mixed, but Book Weekly Gains as Strong Jobs Data Challenges Fed to Push Interest Rates Higher.
• The personal savings rate is down to 2.3%, the lowest it’s been in 18 years. “Inflation is the most visible reason people are able to save less of their income,” says Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President Brian Kuhn. Find out how to boost your savings in this Fortune Recommends article, The Personal Savings Rate for Americans Hit a 17-Year Low. Experts Explain Why—and Offer 3 Strategies for Boosting Your Account Balance.
• How do the first quarters of 2023 look? Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President Nicole Webb talks with hosts Bryan Curtis and Rishaad Salamat about the macroeconomic impacts of monetary policy and why the beginning of 2023 might be a difficult ride for investors in the Bloomberg Daybreak Asia Podcast.
• The prospect of a recession has some investors moving to bonds. Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Portfolio Manager Ayako Yoshioka explains the opportunity in this U.S. News Money article, and how you could leverage the higher interest rates to your advantage.
• Picking oil stocks in 2023? Nicole Webb doesn't agree. In this CNBC video interview, Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President Nicole Webb provides her take on this year's market prospects and why oil stocks might not be the best pick.

Improve Your Financial Plan with Input from Our Advisors

• The impacts of high inflation can be hard to handle. Wealth Enhancement Group Vice President and Financial Advisor Ted Braun answers what 50% or 100% inflation would look like to an investor in this Think Advisor slideshow, 6 Unexpected Questions Clients Asked This Year: Advisors’ Advice.
• If you're investing in stocks, you need to consider the difference between Preferred and Common Stock. Vice President and Financial Advisor Patrick Bobbins weighs in on the difference in this Fortune Recommends article comparing the pros and cons.
• The best gifts benefit the giver as well as the recipient. Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President Nicole Webb elaborates on gift stocks and provides a quick tip on effectively giving to charity in this Business Insider Personal Finance article.
• While 2022 may have been rough for investors, financial advisors are gearing up for change in 2023. Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor Brian Dudley tells U.S. News Money how advisors are focusing on holistic financial planning to provide more to clients in the new year in 6 Financial Advising Trends for 2023.
• You can benefit from higher interest rates by tapping into specific financial instruments, which are highlighted by Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Investment Analyst Mary Popovic in this recent Forbes article.
• If we are headed into a recession, you need to know these money tips. Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor Dustin Smith says it's best to head into a recession with no debt and a full emergency fund in this Forbes article, Our Best Money Tips For a Recession.
• How are your New Year's money resolutions holding up? Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor Brian Kuhn explains that many people set impossible resolutions that can hamper their success in The Street.
• Wealth Enhancement Group is looking to start the new year right. In the RIA Edge Podcast, Wealth Enhancement Group Chief Investments and Business Development Officer Jim Cahn discusses the Wealth Enhancement Group 2023 growth strategy that will benefit clients and advisors alike in 2023. 

Retirement Planning in 2023

• Regularly increasing your contribution amount is one way you can increase your retirement savings. Starting sooner rather than later is also highly recommended. “The longer you wait to invest in your career, the less time you have for higher earnings,” says Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President Brian Kuhn. Read more about how Gen Z can save for retirement in this Fortune Recommends article, Gen Z Has an Average of $33,000 Saved for Retirement. 4 Ways They Can Boost Savings and Plan for the Future
• How much can you spend in retirement? When it comes to retirement advice books, Kris Carroll, Wealth Enhancement Group Managing Director, believes Dr. Pfau’s How Much Can I Spend In Retirement? A Guide to Investment-Based Retirement Income Strategies is the way to go. Take a look at the other retirement advice book recommendations in this Think Advisor slideshow, 8 Retirement Books Financial Advisors Recommend.
• Got student loans, but want to save for retirement? Wealth Enhancement Group Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor Brian Dudley outlines a savvy way to reframe the question by looking at your interest rates in U.S. News Money, Should You Pay Off Student Loans or Invest for Retirement?

Schedule Your Financial Advising Session Today

If you're wondering how to tailor your financial plan to the new reality of market uncertainty, consider scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our advisors. If you're an existing client, the start of a new year is a great reminder to check in with your advisor. We hope to see you soon!