401(k) Millionaires

Your workplace retirement account can play a critical role in your overall retirement strategy. However, some have gone further with the accounts than others, especially recently.

CNBC reported on findings that place 401(k) accounts at all-time highs, with some even joining the much-desired “two comma club” of 401(k) millionaires. Average 401(k) balances jumped 24% from the previous year to $129,300. Also on the rise were overall contributions, with 12% increasing their contributions since last year and 37% of employers placing new employees into workplace plans. The study discovered a record 412,000 401(k) plans with million-dollar balances; overall Individual Retirement Account (IRA) millionaires reached 342,000, another record.¹

Some of this represents a correction from 2020 as well as the economic uncertainty faced during the early days of the global pandemic. People are rethinking their retirement needs and taking advantage of employer matches, if available. It also reflects businesses working to entice employees; even some restaurants are offering 401(k) plans to their workers these days, in a bid to maintain staffing levels year-round.¹

What does this mean for your overall retirement strategy? I’d be happy to talk to you about this and the many other choices open to you at your earliest convenience.

The Fed Can’t Keep a Secret

If you have a secret, don’t tell anyone at the Federal Reserve Bank. They may leak the story before you’d like.

In early August, multiple regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents hit the speaking tour. They made headlines by suggesting that the economy is strong enough to justify tapering the Fed’s monthly bond purchases. As you may remember, the Fed began buying $120 billion in Treasury and mortgage-backed securities in July 2020 to help support the economy.¹

But now it appears the Fed presidents were just telling tales out of school. At its July 27-28 meeting, most Fed members agreed that “Looking ahead… provided that the economy were to evolve broadly as they anticipated … it could be appropriate to start reducing the pace of asset purchases this year.” These minutes are from the meeting on August 18.²

The financial markets appeared to take the news in stride, thanks in no small part to the Fed presidents hinting at the policy change.

In the coming weeks, we’re likely to hear a lot more from the Federal Reserve. On Thursday, August 26, central bankers will meet virtually for their annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, where Fed officials expect to guide when they could begin to pare back bond purchases.³

If all the Fed talk is interrupting your sleep, please give us a call. We’d welcome the chance to hear your perspective.

Mixed Signals on Inflation

Are you having a tough time keeping track of inflation’s mixed signals? You’re not alone.

Consumer prices in July climbed at their fastest rate since August 2008. Worse, producer prices, which can be an indicator of future price changes at the consumer level, rose at the highest rate since tracking began.¹

However, in recent weeks, the stock market has shrugged off the inflation news, believing that the worst is over and rising prices will moderate in the
future.

It’s important to remember that the stock market is a discounting mechanism, which means it’s always looking forward. Put another way, the stock market’s price today represents all available information about current and future events. How far forward is the stock market looking? Most would agree it’s “discounting” activity six to nine months into the future.²

Does that mean inflation will be lower in six to nine months? That’s what the stock market is suggesting. But the stock market also has a less-than-perfect record as a discounting mechanism, largely because the future is somewhat unknowable.²

Inflation is just one factor to consider when making adjustments to a portfolio. But if you’re unsure, thanks to the mixed messaging I’ve seen lately, please reach out. We’d welcome the chance to hear your perspective.

A Wall of Worry

Have you ever heard the Wall Street expression, “markets climb a wall of worry?”

It’s the idea that financial markets are constantly on edge. Traders fret about how long a market rally can continue before it runs into trouble.

Worry shifts from one news event to the next as traders attempt to build a case whether it’s time to go “risk-off” with a portfolio strategy.¹

If you’re looking for something to worry about, you’ve got plenty of choices these days: the Delta variant, inflation, jobs, vaccines, Fed policy, taxes, unemployment, and so on. There’s no shortage of headlines to help boost investors up the wall.

But by early August, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index notched its 42nd record closing of 2021. And while past performance is no guarantee of future results, it’s important to keep in mind the S&P 500 has moved higher despite the wide range of economic and financial concerns.²

Our role as financial professionals is to help guide and equip clients with the tools they need regardless of what news “worries” the financial markets. We work with professionals who monitor the economy and interpret how the recent news may influence the overall trends.

If you find yourself worried about the financial markets, please reach out. We’d welcome the chance to hear your thoughts.

Chinese Stocks Under Pressure

With overseas investments, we remind people that, “international markets carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risk, foreign taxes and regulations.”

The “political risks” and “regulations” portions of this common disclosure have been on full display in recent weeks in China.

Chinese technology and education stocks have been under pressure as Chinese regulators continue their push to rein in large companies for reasons that include data security, corporate behavior, financial stability, and curtailing private-sector power.¹

The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index (HXC), which tracks 98 of the biggest U.S.-listed Chinese stocks, dropped 19% in the three days ended Tuesday, July 27.² Prices have since rebounded somewhat but overall investor sentiment remains cautious.

Actions by China’s regulators are raising new concerns among investors about whether other Chinese industries in the weeks and months ahead may fall in the crosshairs of regulators.

If you have some investments in foreign markets, we know you’ll be watching these developments closely. Please reach out if you have questions or thoughts to discuss.