Blog

Markets took a step back in August as sentiment shifted surrounding Fed policy Key Observations Fitch downgraded the United States’ credit rating to AA+ from AAA at the start of the month. Market volatility continued through the month and most major asset classes experienced negative returns. Higher interest rates due […]

It is no secret that we do not always act in our own rational best interests, we often let our emotions and biases get the best of us when it comes to everyday decisions. Who among us has not resolved at some point in our lives to improve diet or […]

Favorable economic data fuels risk assets as markets post solid gains during July. Key Observations Markets posted favorable returns in July as investors found renewed optimism in economic data being reported, even in the face of year-over-year earnings declines. The Federal Reserve raised rates in July, now targeting 5.25-5.5% for […]

In 2022, consumer financial fraud reached alarming levels. Reported losses totaled nearly $8.8 billion,[1] which represented an increase of more than 30% over the previous year. Unfortunately, this frightening increase in fraud has been a consistent trend over the last five years.  Source:  Federal Trade Commission.  As of February 2018 […]

All eyes remain on Congress as the June “x-date” approaches. Key Observations Market volatility persisted in May as investors tried to digest potential Fed policy action in June and the possibility of a U.S. default which was averted with a last minute deal. Most market indexes posted negative returns, with […]

Key Observations Muted returns of broad market indexes for the month of April hide the churn underneath as the lagged and variable impact from higher rates take hold. Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) show more ardent anticipation of economic contraction. History would suggest four months or more of declining indicators is […]

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin Yes, you’ve probably heard this quote before, and no, we don’t think that you don’t understand the importance of preparation. However, context is key. For example, consider someone who’s studying for an exam. As long as it’s not […]

While markets retreat, the shift in rate expectations show signs the end of rate hikes is near. Key Observations Strong economic data pushed market expectations to 0.5% more rate hikes by year end. While perhaps overdone, this speaks to the end is near on rising rates. With 94% of S&P […]

Filter out the noise and stay the course. Key Observations Broad asset classes rose higher off 2022 lows on cooling pricing pressures and the possibility of a Fed pause Equities abroad outperformed amid a declining U.S. dollar and higher than expected growth The U.S. debt ceiling has sparked conversation, however […]

As we begin the new year, you have may seen rumblings of financial planning changes related to the new Secure Act 2.0 which was passed with the most recent spending bill. We have received enough questions where it made sense for us to start to disseminate some of our internal […]

Signs of peaking inflation and the potential for central bank moderation in 2023 pushed equity markets higher in November. Key Observations Risk assets rallied on the back of softening inflation data and “Fed pause” mentality The Federal Reserve reiterated its commitment to combat inflation, but a pivoting tone hinted at […]

Year-end is fast approaching, with the December holidays just around the corner. While the market malaise may be front-and-center on the minds of many, individuals should not overlook year-end planning opportunities which may provide meaningful benefits. We invite you to skim the topics below to see if any may be […]

… To Know What You’re Looking For.   Key Observations Equity markets broadly enjoyed a reprieve from September lows, but fixed income and China continue to struggle in the face of a hawkish Fed and investor concerns as President Xi consolidates power. As investors seek answers as to when markets […]

Does running a marathon have any correlation with being an investor? As a recent marathon finisher, I believe it does. On October 2nd, 2022, I crossed an item off my bucket list while crossing the finish line of the Twin Cities Marathon in St. Paul, Minnesota. The training and discipline […]

A firm stance on fighting inflation from Jackson Hole pushed markets lower as investors wrestle with the impact on the global economy. Key Observations Markets turned negative for the month following the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. The Federal Reserve reiterated its commitment to combat inflation “until the job is done.” […]

Markets eye earnings reports for forward guidance in a challenging environment Key Observations July provided solid respite after a difficult first half of 2022, with investors buying the dip. Investors looked to corporate earnings and guidance to set expectations for the second half of 2022 and beyond, assessing the position […]

For anyone in need of yet another example of the benefits of routine, consistent saving and investing, this is it. Retirement plan participants who did so accumulated sizable 401k plan account balances in the last decade, according to a new joint study from ICI and the Employee Benefit Research Institute […]

With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection and are backed by the U.S. government. I Bonds are pretty […]

We recently shared a newsletter with clients titled “Recession vs. Inflation: The Main Event”. The content supported the causes of the S&P 500 approaching bear market territory being ‘severe inflation, and the extent to which the economy might be driven into recession by the Federal Reserve’s somewhat belated efforts to […]

The primary function of financial journalism seems to be terrifying us out of ever achieving our financial goals by shrieking about the market’s volatility. We’ve been reminded of this almost hourly as the S&P 500 approached “official bear market territory,” defined as closing 20% below its January all-time high. Every […]

We have been receiving questions regarding Series I Savings Bonds from clients so would like to share this communication to answer FAQs regarding the bonds. What are Series I Savings Bonds? Series I bonds are basically a way to profit from rising inflation. The “I” in Series I bonds stands […]

According to the calendar, spring is here! Not unlike the weather changes that we’re experiencing, legislative and market changes appear to be following suit. To keep you up to date with the most relevant information, we have highlighted two areas of focus. The first is a brief overview of pending […]

Key Observations Positive macroeconomic news in early February was overshadowed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during the last week of the month. Markets were broadly lower, with real assets being the exception. Economic sanctions on Russia continue to pressure commodity prices and inflation globally which, paired with escalating uncertainty, will […]

As we share insights on the markets due to the Ukraine and Russia conflict, we do not want to minimize the humanitarian impact of what is happening.  Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this and we hope for a swift and peaceful resolution. At this point, it is impossible […]

KEY OBSERVATIONS Many markets entered a technical correction (defined as a 10 percent pull back or more) in January as headline inflation reached levels not seen since the 1980s[1] and the Federal Reserve continued to shift its stance, becoming less accommodative. It is worth noting the level and pace of […]

“The Two Most Powerful Warriors are Patience and Time”     -Leo Tolstoy   We hope everyone is enjoying a terrific start to the new year! First off, we wanted to thank you, our clients and trusted business partners, for your referrals and introductions that led us to the most successful […]

Recently, there has been an abundance of news circulating, which may be having an impact on financial markets and you. To reduce the number of email we send, we compiled a comprehensive update and will monitor these situations moving forward. Should there be any large financial planning or market impacts, […]

Year-end planning could prove more challenging for our FFP clients in 2021, given continued uncertainty over tax reform. The social safety net and climate bill known as the “Build Back Better Act” (BBBA) has been tied up in negotiations for months, given competing priorities on when to pass the infrastructure […]

Equities overcome inflationary pressures and prospects of tighter monetary policy Key Observations Equity markets rebounded in October to new all-time highs. Treasury yields trended higher, leading to modest declines across most fixed income asset classes. US. and global central banks took initial steps toward tightening monetary policy (for historical perspective, […]

IR-2021-216, November 4, 2021 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2022 has increased to $20,500, up from $19,500 for 2021 and 2020. The IRS today also issued technical guidance regarding all of the cost‑of‑living adjustments affecting dollar […]

We have been receiving a lot of questions here at Freedom Financial regarding China and changes to the regulatory environment. Many of you have been reading articles about the Chinese company, Evergrande, as they navigate a potential debt restructuring. While the situation with Evergrande is still playing out, we wanted […]

SUMMER RAIN FEEDS THE EQUITY MARKET Key Observations Equity markets largely shrugged off headline risks through the month and posted positive The S&P 500 Index has returned over 20 percent year-to-date The Federal Reserve will likely begin tapering its asset purchase program later this year or early in 2022 with […]

‘Normalcy’ Moves Markets Higher, but Concerns Rise Key Observations Many broad market indexes posted positive returns for the month of July with some U.S. indexes hitting all-time highs. However, recent trends favoring the ‘vaccine trade’ areas of the market have reversed for the month with energy taking a step back, […]

By Lisa P Staron of Murtha Cullina   One of the main purposes of estate planning is to determine who receives your property when you die, and when and how they can access that inheritance. For many families, the answer involves a written plan for the benefit of their children […]

FAQs Relating to Fiducient Who is Fiducient? Fiducient is an independent consulting firm that provides investment consulting to a select group of firms within our industry. Their focus, similar to Freedom Financial Partners, is to provide conflict free, client first advice. They have no relationships with large financial institutions, custodians […]

As Freedom Financial Partners (FFP) has rapidly grown over the past few years, we continue to look for resources that allow us to provide a higher level of service to our clients. The bar is extremely high for us as to who we will partner with. We value what we […]

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Tambra Ray to Office & Marketing Manager. Since she started with FFP, Tambra has worked tirelessly behind the scenes in a variety of different capacities as the business has grown. Most recently, she has been instrumental in the launch of our newsletter, […]

Economic recovery, updated vaccine and portfolio considerations Key Observations Financial market returns year-to-date coincide closely with the premise of an expanding global economic recovery. Economic momentum and a robust earnings backdrop have fostered uniformly positive global equity returns while this same strength has been the impetus for elevated interest rates, […]

An analysis of the cryptocurrency’s merits and risks following its recent rally Key Observations Recent returns, greater accessibility and broader backing of Bitcoin have led to broader adoption by investors, custodians and developers. While recent returns, low correlations and significant network growth are promising, significant risks from other cryptocurrencies, regulators […]

Key Observations Global capital markets generally posted modest gains during May with value stocks outpacing their growth counterparts and international markets topping U.S. stocks. Declining interest rates and persistent appetite for yield supported fixed income. Coming off a low base in 2020, U.S. inflation (CPI) jumped noticeably in April. Supply […]

A big focus for Freedom Financial this year has been following potential estate tax law changes under the new Biden administration and anticipating how they could impact our clients. We will continue to focus on this topic with clients as we follow potential estate tax legislation and changes. Estate tax […]

By Jon Holmgren and Sam Swift “Perhaps we could have timed our move a bit better from a weather perspective,” is what my wife said to me the other day looking back on our move from Atlanta, Georgia, to the Twin Cities in late December of last year. After the […]

Wow! Where has the time gone?! Today, February 25, marks the 8th anniversary of Freedom Financial Partners and what a journey it has been. We have been humbled by the response over the past 8 years and wanted to send a quick note thanking you, our clients, for allowing us […]