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Market Commentary
Q2|2018 Market Commentary
- Following a disappointing first quarter, US equity markets turned around and posted solid gains during the second quarter. The S&P 500 Index of large cap stocks rose 3.4% while small cap stocks returned 7.8%. The FAANG stocks continue to be the darlings of Wall Street and are now responsible for over 80% of the S&P 500’s year-to-date return. Amazon has climbed 45% so far this year and Netflix has soared 104% year-to-date. Growth leadership is common in the later stages of an economic expansion, but the disproportionate returns of the mega-cap growth stocks suggest the average stock may not be performing as well as the benchmark.
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White Papers
Redefining the Retirement Plan
- Redefining the Retirement Plan is Axia’s guide to trends and strategies that will help employers get the most out of their retirement programs. Defined Benefit plans and Social Security have been the simple answer to retirement for the past century. Life expectancy has improved though and an added strain has been placed on plan sponsors to help their employees replace their incomes in retirement. Fortunately, employers are equipped with more tools than ever before to help their employees retire with dignity.
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Perspectives on Retirement
Axia Perspectives on Retirement Vol 1.2
Axia Perspectives on Retirement Vol 1.1
Understanding the HSA: Frequently Asked Questions
One tax-efficient way to save for retirement healthcare expenses is through a Health Savings Account (HSA) coupled with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Even though the HSA savings vehicle was created in 2003, it has generally been misunderstood and is just beginning to gain legitimate acceptance. With the recent interest, many people have questions pertaining to these accounts. Below are some of the more common questions.
read moreWhen Should You Claim Your Social Security Benefit?
The SSA highlights some sobering statistics that confirm what studies have shown: most people have not saved enough for retirement. As a result, people are not determining their Social Security benefit timing. Instead, benefits usually begin immediately after gainful employment ends as their savings buffer is limited. For prepared investors, the goal is to make an active decision on benefit commencement.
read moreDOL Fiduciary Rule Takes Effect
On June 9, 2017, the Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule went into effect. The rule, also known as the Conflict of Interest Rule, expands the fiduciary definition under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). In the simplest terms, the DOL Fiduciary Rule will require advisors to put their client’s interests ahead of their own when giving advice to retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. Further, any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed along with a clear statement of the fees and commissions received in exchange for the advice.
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