According to Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is currently 3.41%, while the average rate on a 15-year fixed mortgage is 2.74%. Both of these numbers are close to all-time lows, after the ‘Brexit’ vote caused a flight to U.S. Treasury bonds in the face of global uncertainty. When investors flock … Continued
Adjusting prices to reflect shifts in demand is hardly a new concept. However, the concept seems to have gained an increase in visibility with Uber’s introduction of “surge pricing”, an effort to match demand with the availability of drivers. Unlike traditional enterprises, Uber depends on their driver’s making themselves available. Presumably, surge pricing would encourage … Continued
How much does it cost you to live? This is one of the first and most important questions that I ask a potential client when we start to build out a financial plan together. Surprisingly, many people don’t really know their all-in cost of living. For most people, their top priority when it comes to … Continued
Historically, uncertainty has led to increased market volatility. Even though the Brexit vote is now behind us, the uncertainty surrounding the exit process is likely to continue to contribute to market volatility. If that’s not enough, remember, the US has a presidential election coming this November that may prove to be one of the most … Continued
When gathering information from new clients one of my first topics of discussion is their IRA beneficiaries. In general, most couples name each other as primary beneficiaries and then their children as contingent beneficiaries with an equal split. If a spouse inherits an IRA they can roll it over and treat it as their own, … Continued
The most recent jobs report was clearly disappointing, with a dismal 38,000 net new jobs in May. Never-the-less, the unemployment rate fell again to 4.7%. At the same time, labor force participation fell to 62.6%. Throughout the “recovery”, the unemployment rate has been declining, as has labor force participation. In December 2007, labor force participation … Continued
I received an inquiry from a local business reporter today, asking about the “Brexit” vote, whether clients were panicking, if this would prove a major market turning point, and what, if anything, we were doing in portfolios. I provided the following response and share it here with our blog readers. I’ve had just one call … Continued
A famous line used in the inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt may provide some insight as to the background for the recent vote against Britain remaining in the European Union and the ascendance of politicians, on both sides of the aisle, that speak to disgruntlement. The common thread appears to be an ascendance of … Continued
For many of our clients, a well thought out estate plan is a key component of their overall financial plan. A typical estate plan consists of a will, durable powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney, and sometimes one or more trusts. For clients who are focused on protecting their assets after they are gone, … Continued
On May 24, 2016, we posted a blog discussing some of the issues relating to the generation of electricity. We opined that, “based on current technology, nuclear appears to be the only scalable alternative to fossil fuels.” According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, some of the country’s most influential environmental groups are softening … Continued
Generally, this blog has been reserved for all things tied to Sigma’s line of work – financial planning and investments. The rare exceptions have generally had to do with sports, most especially my colleagues’ beloved Detroit Tigers. Today the blog is about the pride of being a Clevelander. Northeast Ohio has had the privilege and … Continued
At age 65, if you are a U.S. citizen, you qualify for Medicare. Given the continual rising costs of healthcare this is a welcomed benefit. However, it does not arrive in the mail neatly wrapped in a bow – it can be very confusing. Recently the financial television show CNBC included a segment on its … Continued
Copyright © 2026 - Sigma Investment Counselors