The current landscape of the stock market presents a challenging environment for investors, who often lament the scarcity of affordable stocks amid rising valuations. With stocks trading at approximately 24 times earnings, this is notably above the historical average of around 15. Despite the perception of a high-priced market, opportunities…

As the year closes, several sector-specific exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are popular among investors—specifically those tied to healthcare, energy, materials, and real estate—exhibit troubling signs of underperformance. Recent market dynamics, particularly the Federal Reserve’s decision to halt interest rate cuts, have contributed significantly to this trend. Investors typically look to…

Retirement planning often elicits differing opinions regarding what constitutes a sufficient nest egg, particularly among financial experts on Wall Street. For instance, the conventional view may suggest that a retirement fund of $460,000 is insufficient. However, by wisely investing this amount in a carefully curated portfolio of closed-end funds (CEFs),…

The current state of the Trump brand is exhibiting worrying signs of decline, as a combination of political realities and fundamental financial weaknesses casts a shadow over its prospects. Although Donald Trump has secured the position of President-elect, the dynamics of a three-branch government are proving to complicate and potentially…

Navigating the complexities of a 401(k) plan can be challenging for employees, especially when confronted with various notices related to their retirement savings. These notifications, particularly prevalent towards the end of the year, provide critical information about the plan and its requirements. Understanding the significance of these notices can empower…

Inflation concerns have returned to the forefront of economic discussions, potentially impacting the Federal Reserve’s approach to monetary easing. The recent Summary of Economic Projections from the Fed indicated that officials anticipate inflation to reach 2.5% by 2025, a figure that surpasses both the prior forecast of 2.1% and the…

The financial landscape in New York City and beyond is undergoing significant transformation as speculative bubbles burst and reality sets in. Investors should brace for these changes, especially with tax-driven selling likely to ramp up in January. The shift from an era of inflating prices driven by easy money to…

The stock market has seen remarkable returns in recent years, with the S&P 500 poised for a projected annual return of approximately 25% in 2024, following a phenomenal 26% return in 2023. Naturally, this leads investors to ponder whether this upward trend will persist into 2025 or if the market…

As of 2024, the S&P 500 has delivered an impressive 28% total return, raising expectations that this figure could climb even higher with the anticipated ‘Santa Claus rally’ that often occurs at year-end. Such gains present a favorable outlook for equity funds in the CEF Insider portfolio. These funds not…

In the world of investing, successful strategies often outweigh the emotional facets that can derail an investor’s decisions. As a seasoned investor and writer for Forbes, I attribute much of my understanding to mentors who imparted invaluable financial wisdom early in my career. The tumultuous investment landscape of today reinforces…

As the U.S. government approaches a potential shutdown slated for December 21, 2024, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has been engaging with reporters about the ongoing deliberations to avert such a situation. Predictions from the forecasting site Kalshi suggest there is a 40% chance the government could shut down,…