Insights | Harbor Wealth Management

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: GDP Surges After Stimulus, Fed Reiterates Low Interest Rates

U.S. GDP surged an annualized 6.4% in the first quarter (Figure 1). Two rounds of government stimulus helped the economy climb within 0.9% of its all-time high. If expected growth is included, the economy remains 3.7% below pre-COVID trends. Personal income jumped 21.1% from February as a second round of stimulus checks pushed money out to most Americans. Spending increased as well, but not as much as income. Personal consumption rose 4.2%, and services consumption, hindered by COVID concerns, rose only 2.2%.

Blog

How to Fit the Kids’ College into Your Financial Plan

There is a strong premium on earning a college degree, perhaps driven by previous generations who witnessed the power of education. But you may find yourself receiving a student loan bill every month, even now as you contemplate sending your kids to college. Though an education continues to pay dividends, the amount owed can seem insurmountable.

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: S&P Shows Strong Growth as Housing Prices Continue to Climb

S&P 500 earnings are exceeding elevated expectations. Before earnings season began, S&P 500 earnings were expected to grow 23.6% as businesses rallied from lower earnings during the COVID shutdowns from one year ago. Based on the first quarter of companies reporting, earnings are now expected to grow more than 33.8%, and revenue is now expected to rise 7.5%.

Videos

Quarterly Market Outlook Highlights: Q2 2021

Carson Partners’ Scott Kubie shares key events we saw in the past quarter and how we think they’ll affect markets in the upcoming quarter. Contact us to speak with a financial advisor.

Videos

Quarterly Market Outlook – Q2 2021

Carson’s Senior Investment Strategist Scott Kubie hosts our quarterly market outlook webinar for the second quarter of 2021. Click Here to Watch the Webinar

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Initial Jobless Claims at the Lowest in a Year, Retail Sales Surged

The U.S. economy seems to be returning to firmer footing based on economic data released last week. Initial jobless claims fell to 576,000 and are the lowest they have been since mid-March 2020. The number of people receiving some form of government jobless support dropped from 18.2 million to 16.9 million, based on data from three weeks ago.

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The Promise of the Biotech Industry and What It Could Mean to Investors

I bet you’ve never heard of Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB). It’s a rare disease where a person’s skin falls off! Areas that are often rubbed, like your elbow from sitting at a table or your thighs from wearing pants, become a constant battle. It’s painful, and patients suffer from frequent infections. The US spends about $400,000 per patient each year trying to repair the damaged skin, only to see a new patch fall off. Doctors can turn to antibiotics, steroids and skin grafts, but because this is a genetic disease, the underlying issue remains.

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Inflation Could Be On the Horizon, Service Businesses Make a Comeback

Producer prices climbed 4.2% last week (Figure 1). Energy prices contributed to the largest gain since the index rose 4.5% in September 2011. The jobs market continues to see a high level of initial jobless claims while steady progress is being made in reducing the number of unemployed receiving continuing benefits. Last week initial claims rose 16,000 to 744,000 and continuing claims dipped by 16,000 to 3.7 million.

Videos

Getting the Most Out of Your College Savings Plan

Carson’s Senior Wealth Planner Beth Schanou and Director of Retirement Research Jamie Hopkins hosted a webinar about how to get the most out of your college savings strategy. Click Here to Watch the Webinar

Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Jobs Market Shatters Expectations, Housing Prices on the Rise

The U.S. jobs market roared back to life in March. The economy added or reclaimed 916,000 jobs, shattering expectations of a 150,000 increase. Workers being recalled or hired to fill openings at restaurants and bars contributed 176,000 jobs to March’s gains. Previous months were revised higher by 156,000.