Bedel Blog

Chairman Powell, for the first time, discussed the possibility of lowering interest rates in 2024 to avoid harming the economy. This was a substantial change from the Fed's previous stance, which was effectively "it's too soon to talk about lowering rates.

Over the last several months, the Bedel Financial team has taken small steps to lengthen the duration of our clients' fixed-income portfolios to lock in intermediate-term yields while remaining diversified on the shorter end of the curve.

As we continue to monitor the inflation and economic data coming in, it is important to make sure your portfolio can withstand a bumpy ride should interest rates need to go higher than anticipated and tip the economy into a recession.

While the 1974 "WIN" campaign may have ended with a whimper for President Gerald Ford, its central message remains true today. When inflation starts to creep up, take a look at your budget and finances and make the necessary moves to offset rising costs.

While a strengthening dollar has provided relief for US consumers against inflation, if the dollar were to fall against other currencies, this benefit would dissipate and expose Americans to further inflation from increasing import costs.

Your investment strategy should consider the likelihood of experiencing the occasional recession. If it does, you have already factored slowdowns into your long-term plans.

The Fed has tremendous influence over the economy and the markets. After years of stimulus, it must navigate an unenviable balancing act of combating inflation without rattling confidence in the markets.

The current score for the Bedel Barometer is +3. While we all know “past performance is not a guarantee of future results,” our economic metrics continue to improve with the slow reopening of the economy.

This inflation rate far surpasses the Federal Reserve's target of achieving an average inflation rate of 2% per year. Yet, despite this data, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has dismissed inflation concerns throughout much of the year because he believed higher prices were 'transitory.'

We may be in the middle of the largest supply chain disruption since World War II. But what is the "supply chain," and how did we get into this mess?

Used vehicle price increases are frustrating to consumers who need a vehicle now. However, remember the negotiating power you hold for those who already have a used vehicle to trade-in/sell.

The cloudy picture presented by historical data from the impact of inflation and tax increases on the market underscores the importance of developing a long-term investment strategy and maintaining your diversified allocation to the proper mix of stock and bonds

Inflation is a complicated topic that economists have debated for centuries. While the Federal Reserve has indicated that it will begin to increase interest rates, if necessary, to combat high inflation, its ability to do so without negatively impacting the stock market is unclear.

While gas prices in Indiana are often below the national average, experts predict that the U.S.'s average price could exceed $4.00 per gallon later this summer. As prices at the pump increase, other transportation modes are also likely to see meaningful increases in their prices.

The role central banks across the world played in orchestrating an economic recovery cannot be understated. While their efforts succeeded in pushing the stock market to fresh record highs, the prospect of meaningful future price inflation as a consequence is very real.

After this year of volatility, some investors may want to reduce their portfolio risk and shift toward less risk or risk-free investments. These types of shifts provide protection with a small positive return. Right? Well, not always.

Chances are you’ve crossed paths with Amazon at some point recently – purchasing a Christmas gift, ordering groceries for the home, or even researching products and their customer reviews. But Amazon's impact extends far beyond the way you shop - but just how far remains to be seen.