Earnings continue to move stock prices higher as April generated the highest monthly return for the S&P 500 since 2020. With almost 90% of the S&P 500 companies reporting first quarter earnings, results were 18% higher than consensus expectations and are 25% higher than a year ago. Sales were up 10% year-over-year, and profit margins remain at record levels. As a result, analysts continue to raise their estimates for each quarter and for 2027. Meanwhile, the Fed left short

Markets have been highly volatile recently, with sharp swings driven by uncertainty around geopolitical developments. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to weigh on investor sentiment, particularly through its impact on energy prices, global trade routes, and overall economic stability. As long as tensions persist and the outlook remains unclear, markets are likely to experience continued volatility in the near term. The global chokepoint is the Strait of Hor

Highlights of this Special Edition Newsletter: Introducing: Clients Giving Back Congrats to Our Colleague: 25 Years with LVM! Financial Spring Cleaning: Organize Your Documents Review Your Budget and Cash Flow Check Your Insurance Coverage Revisit Your Investment Allocation Update Your Estate Plan Your Spring Cleaning Checklist Introducing: Clients Giving Back A new recurring feature in our quarterly newsletter At LVM, we’ve always believed that thoughtful financial planning

The story of the American consumer begins with their financial buffer, and recent trends in the personal savings rate show that cushion steadily thinning. As the chart below illustrates, households have moved from an elevated post-pandemic savings environment into a period marked by persistently lower savings behavior. Consumers are therefore increasingly reliant on credit, wage growth, or asset appreciation to maintain spending momentum—leaving them more exposed to shocks in

Highlights of this Special Edition Newsletter: Year-End Tax Planning Update: Key Changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill What Changed for 2025 Taxes Planning Implications for Clients Looking Ahead to 2026 Supporting Our Communities Tax Season Reminder for IRA and Roth IRA Holders Year-End Tax Planning Update: Key Changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill AS TAX SEASON APPROACHES and year-end planning concludes, a major piece of federal tax legislation warrants your attention. T