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Economic Commentary - Q1 2019

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
January 07, 2019 Category: Economic Commentary, 2019, Q1

Global financial markets experienced heightened volatility during the fourth quarter of 2018 as concerns surrounding higher interest rates here in the U.S., and uncertain trade and tariff relations worldwide, weighed heavily on investor sentiment. We present a few highlights from the 4Q18 below: •    U.S. equity markets sold off sharply during the fourth quarter in volatile and choppy trade, with large intra-day moves the norm. In this “risk-off” environment, the S & P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite traded sharply lower. On the economic front, U.S. economic data remained strong. However, there are potential international and domestic headwinds that could dampen growth, particularly uncertainty surrounding trade policy for U.S. businesses.  •    Developed international equity markets posted steep declines in tandem with those here in the U.S. Financial markets in the Eurozone generally lagged those in the Pacific ex-Japan region as Brexit worries persisted. On the political front, Prime Minister May faced resistance from her EU counterparts in a bid for new Brexit concessions, sparking concerns of a chaotic no-deal outcome that could potentially be damaging for the European and British economies. In the emerging markets, returns were held back by weak performances from several large Asian economies.  •    Within fixed income, results were

HealthWatch: Healthy Cooking Habits

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
January 07, 2019 Category: Healthwatch, Healthy, Cooking, Tips

3 Easy Tips for Healthier Cooking When it comes to healthy cooking, a lot of focus goes into choosing good ingredients loaded with the nutrients you and your family need. But the truth is, the way you prepare food can be just as important as what you buy. Certain cooking techniques will help maximize your food’s nutrition, while others will minimize the intake of less healthy elements like added sodium and unhealthy fats. Here are three simple ways you can easily adjust your cooking for a healthier lifestyle! 1.    Treat Your Vegetables Right Boiling and overcooking certain vegetables robs them of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By steaming them instead, you will preserve more nutrients in vegetables than boiling, stir-frying, or even blanching. For canned vegetables, you can lower their sodium content by up to 40% by rinsing them in water. However, rinsing can also remove some of the Vitamin C from some canned vegetables. Using no- or low-sodium canned foods is an even easier way to keep your sodium intake in check. 2.    Taste Your Food Before You Salt It Just one teaspoon of table salt has about 2,300 milligrams of sodium, which is the maximum amount you should have in a day. For people who are 51 or older, have high blood pressure or diabetes, the recommended maximum intake is 1,500 milligrams a day. To cut down on sodium, remove the salt shaker from your table and take heart—some research has shown that your taste buds w

Letter From the President Q1 2019

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
January 07, 2019 Category: Letter From The President, Jim Lineweaver, New Years Resolutions

5 Financial Resolutions to Make in the New Year Most major new years resolutions are pretty common, and often many of them are financial. 1. First things frst--the base of any good financial plan is insurance. You want to make sure all your insurance policies are in proper order. This includes life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care insurance (if you are retired), making sure your property and casualty limits are appropriate, and even an umbrella policy – especially if you have kids or young drivers in the house. 2. The second is to pay yourself first. We generally recommend saving 15-20% of your gross income. First make sure some of this goes into an emergency reserve for you, which is usually 3-6 months of your after-tax income. Then try and maximize your pre-tax or ROTH contributions to get money tax deferred or tax free for retirement. 3. Number three is to ask yourself - are your financial goals on track? This can range from funding your kids’ education to buying that vacation home, or planning for retirement. Tracking and regularly revisiting your financial goals is important, as well as understanding and using the best strategies available to realize them. 4. The fourth resolution is about tax planning. Many people fnd they’re being penny-wise and pound-foolish; saving small amounts during the year, and then getting hit with huge capital gains distributions or other unnecessary taxes. Now is the time to look at your year-end statemen

Market Outlook 2019

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
January 07, 2019 Category: Market Outlook, 2019, Market, Financial Goals

By Chad Roope CFA®, Lead Portfolio Manager - Fundamentum The recent equity market correction has no doubt been uncomfortable.  As of the end of year close, the S&P 500 ended the year to date down 6.24%. Concerns about slowing global economic growth, worries that the Federal Reserve is pushing interest rates too far too quickly, fears around the US/China trade war and uncertainties about a US Government shut down have all combined to create downside volatility that we’ve not experienced in a few years.   While we agree this is all concerning and that we are likely to continue to see more volatility in the shorter-run, we do not see an economic recession in 2019 based on the data we see today.  US corporate earnings growth is likely to be reasonably strong in the first half of 2019, manufacturing data remains in expansionary readings in the US, US unemployment continues to be at historically low levels, and consumer confidence remains relatively high as well. Those are all good signs as well as the fact that many companies are flush with cash, and the recent tax package gives incentives for them to invest this cash in the economy. When taken as a whole, that leads us to believe that the present sell-off is a necessary flushing of the system and growth stocks that may have gotten a bit ahead of themselves.   In addition, we are coming off a mid-term election, which has historically been good news for markets.  According to Ned Davis Res