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Global equities were little changed for the week with the S&P 500 essentially flat while the Nasdaq, Russell 2000, and international stocks were slightly negative.

Should you pay off your student loans or save for your retirement first? This question poses the trade-off: having less money to pay toward student loans or not contributing as much to your retirement account. Especially for young professionals who have less disposable income, the challenge is determining how best to designate those funds.

The S&P 500 Index was just 0.13% away from making its fourth consecutive weekly record high. Trading was choppy during the week despite strong economic data and stellar earning results with more S&P 500 companies beating EPS estimates than average, and beating those EPS estimates by a wider margin than average.

For the third week and a row the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both closed at new record highs. Earnings and economic data continues to come in stronger‐than‐expected.

This time last year, we were all forced to make drastic changes to our everyday lives — working from home, acting as educators to our children and grandchildren, and settling in for the unknown long-term. Fortunately, there is finally optimism and a shred of pre-pandemic normalcy.

The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both ended the week at set new record highs. The gains came as markets got more hotter‐than‐expected data on producer price inflation, and as Treasuries saw some pressure, with yields paring back from recent highs.

March by the numbers. U.S. stocks were up nicely in in March. The headline S&P 500 index returned + 4.4% (with dividends), its fourth positive month in the last five. All 11 sectors posted positive results, led by Energy (+29.3%). Large Value topped equity styles with a +5.9% gain following +6.0% last month.

We’ve learned a lot about retirement plan participants and fiduciaries over the last year. The upcoming April 21st Qualified Plan Fiduciary Summit presents an opportunity for plan fiduciaries to take stock in the last year’s lessons and to think about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The S&P 500 continued to set new record highs, this time above the 4,000 level for the first time to start the second quarter. Technology stocks sustained their renewed strength and led the Nasdaq and growth indices to the top of the charts over the holiday‐shortened week.

Many people underestimate the importance of having a retirement advisor. According to an Investopedia article, about 33% had no defined contribution plan of any kind in 2019.