🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readThe U.S. job market gained 2.5 million jobs during the month of May, dropping the unemployment rate to 13.3 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There’s likely been a lot of rehiring, with more to come as the economy continues reopening. However, until social distancing becomes a thing … Continue reading “Hiring in the Age of Coronavirus”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readPaycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (HR 7010) – Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) introduced this legislation on May 26. This Act modifies provisions related to small business loans issued under the original Paycheck Protection Program. Specifically, the bill permits forgiveness of loans used to pay expenses incurred over a 24-week … Continue reading “Helping Small Business Owners, Seniors and U.S. Hostages, and Limiting Intrusive Domestic Surveillance”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readIf the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t a big enough strain on businesses trying to engage in commerce, whether it’s retailers, restaurants, manufacturers, or those in the service sector, civil unrest puts another strain on surviving the downturn. Based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Small Business … Continue reading “How Businesses Can Help Protect Themselves Against Civil Unrest”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readAs Johns Hopkins University of Medicine’s Coronavirus Resource Center revealed a recent increase of coronavirus cases in the Southern and Southwestern United States, the VIX ticked up. With fears of the outbreak curve not flattening, how will this impact markets? The Volatility Index (VIX) was established by the Chicago Board Options … Continue reading “How Likely Would a Second Coronavirus Wave Negatively Impact the Stock Market?”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readThe CARES Act stimulus package substantially relaxed the rules around certain retirement account loan and distribution requirements, but with much confusion. As a result, the IRS recently put out a FAQ document to address the COVID-19 rule relaxation around IRA and 401(k) loans and distributions. This important information should come as … Continue reading “IRS Questions and Answers on COVID-19 IRA and 401(k) Loans & Distributions”
🖨 Print⏱ 5 min readAccording to the futures market, Chicago Mercantile Exchange contracts are forecasting a drop of 27 percent in dividends over 24 months for the S&P 500 index. Dividends are projected to fall to $42.05 in 2021, a drop from 2020’s dividend of $47.55 and 2019’s high of $58.24. Looking forward to 2026, … Continue reading “Are Dividends Becoming a Luxury During the Coronavirus Pandemic?”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readAfter seeing a peak and then a sustained decline in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths resulting from COVID-19, the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rolled out a three-tier approach to get the nation back to its pre-coronavirus economic activities. While this program is led by … Continue reading “Understanding the Federal Government’s Proposal for Opening Up Again”
🖨 Print⏱ 2 min read The first Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans were made over eight weeks ago, which means they may be forgivable if the guidelines set forth by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the United States Treasury Department are met. In order to have a loan forgiven, borrowers need to complete the … Continue reading “Payroll Protection Program Loan Forgiveness is Here”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readThat year or two when you are closing in on your retirement date, followed by a year or two after you retire, are the worst times for a sustained market decline. Market analysts call this scenario the sequence of returns (SOR) risk – because once your principal has been significantly reduced, … Continue reading “Why Sequence of Returns Risk Matters Now”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readMost states are starting to relax stay-at-home restrictions. As such, businesses are developing plans for bringing employees back to work. Many businesses are already affected by the pandemic and their future looks grim. Specifically, we are going to look at the IT sector and examine what spending might look like in … Continue reading “How IT Spending Will Change When Business Resumes”
