Latest news with #FocusPartnersWealth
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The two rules investors need to follow right now as the S&P 500 eyes a return to 6,000
The stock market has almost regained a foothold at the 6,000 level, recovering over a tumultuous eight weeks in which it fell almost 20% into a bear market. Big round numbers don't necessarily signal anything special for stocks, but they can serve as a psychological hurdle that, once overcome, could add to an existing rally — or serve as a gut check. My daughter's boyfriend, a guest in my home, offered to powerwash part of my house — then demanded money 'The situation is extreme': I'm 65 and leaving my estate to only one grandchild. Can the others contest my will? The two rules investors need to follow right now as the S&P 500 eyes a return to 6,000 10 nuclear stocks expected to rise as much as 94% after Meta-Constellation deal 10 stocks in this year's strongest sector expected to grow fastest through 2027 Investors and 401(k)s have recovered significant ground since President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs announced April 2 dealt a blow to the S&P 500 index SPX and other major U.S. equity gauges. Stocks have continued climbing even as U.S. courts have entered the mix, adding yet another potential wrinkle to the on-again-off-again tariff dynamic. For the most part, however, tariff jitters were being offset by a view on Wall Street that the worst-case tariff scenario appears to be off the table. That's been credited with helping the S&P 500 climb back to 5,970 as of Wednesday's close, 19.8% above its April 8 low, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Yet a firm grip on the 6,000 level could prove hard to achieve. 'The number itself doesn't matter,' Donald Calcagni, chief investment officer at Mercer Advisors, said in a phone call Wednesday. What ultimately matters is corporate earnings, interest rates and valuations, he said. In that regard, the S&P 500's recent price-to-earnings estimate of around 21 suggests equity valuations look 'pretty high,' Calcagni said, especially given all the uncertainty on the horizon. Richard Steinberg, chief market strategist at Focus Partners Wealth, also sees potential stumbling blocks to holding on to the 6,000 milestone, especially with the Federal Reserve, big companies and investors stuck in wait-and-see mode on several fronts. 'I think it's a tough road for the president,' Steinberg said, referring to the Republican tax and spending megabill awaiting action in the Senate, but we are in 'a healthy part of the phase' in terms of pushback on the sweeping proposal. It might end up being a case where, for Republicans, you 'can't always get what you want,' he said. 'I think the markets are OK with that.' Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla Inc. TSLA and until recently a top adviser to Trump, added to the uncertainty around the bill's fate Tuesday, calling it an 'abomination.' Concerns about the economy also were in focus Wednesday after data suggested surprising weakness in private-sector jobs in May and signs of other potential cracks emerging in what's known as the hard data. See: Car buyers drove sales to a 4-year high to beat tariffs. Now sales are running out of gas. Calcagni at Mercer said he sees the stock market as 10% to 15% overpriced at the moment and expects 'the next shoe to drop' likely 'on or around July 9.' That's when a 90-day pause on some of Trump's tariffs is due to expire. Meanwhile, Wall Street equity strategists have been busy increasing their year-end targets for the stock market. Barclays bumped its S&P 500 target up slightly to 6,050 from 5,900, becoming the latest big bank to make upward adjustments. As of Wednesday, the S&P 500 was still 2.8% below its Feb. 19 record close. Calcagni expects fallout over tariffs and the U.S. deficit to loom large over stocks in the weeks ahead, making it important for investors to diversify their holdings beyond U.S. stocks and bonds. 'It's the bond market that's going to finance all this debt,' he told MarketWatch, which gives it the 'ultimate power.' The Congressional Budget Office estimated on Wednesday that the Republican bill would add $2.4 trillion to the federal deficit. A review of CBO forecasts showed they have consistently underestimated actual U.S. deficits over the past 25 years. 'The No. 1 rule is this is not a hero's market,' Calcagni said, adding that investors shouldn't own just one stock or even one single asset class. And Rule No. 2? 'Yesterday's safe-haven assets will not be tomorrow's safe-haven assets,' he said. 'I am getting very frustrated': My mother's adviser has not returned my calls. He manages $1 million. Is this normal? Options traders pile into bearish bets on Tesla at fastest pace on record as Musk-Trump feud escalates Buy-the-dip retail investors are getting bolder, just when the risks are getting bigger, say analysts What on Earth is going on with the American consumer? How do I make sure my son-in-law doesn't get his hands on my daughter's inheritance? Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Student loan moves to make for the fall 2025 semester
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you're planning to enroll in the upcoming fall college semester, you may want to make these moves sooner rather than school year has ended and summer vacation is here. While it can be a time to relax and enjoy a break from your studies, getting your student loan financing in order now to prepare for the fall 2025 college semester can be a smart move. Whether you're entering college for the first time or enrolling for another year, paying for your tuition costs and fees is crucial to continuing your education without any interruptions or hurdles. And, paying out of pocket may not be an option for many college students and their families, given the steep costs. According to data from the College Board, the average tuition and fees in 2024-25 for full-time undergraduate students range from $11,610 to $43,350, depending on whether the college is public or private and if the student is paying in-state or out-of-state tuition. To ensure you have the necessary financing to cover those costs, we've outlined below the steps to take now for the fall 2025 semester, what can be delayed and the important student loan mistakes to avoid. Start comparing your private student loan options online now. Student loan moves to make for the fall 2025 semester Though the fall semester may be months away, you can take steps to prepare now. Here are student loan moves to make for the upcoming semester: Maximize your financial aid options Before turning to any student loans, see if you qualify for any grants or scholarships. These options are gift aid, meaning you don't have to pay them back. You can find scholarship opportunities on CareerOneStop and You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for a federal Pell Grant. The FAFSA can also help you qualify for work-study and federal student loans. Gift aid and federal student loans are typically recommended as the first options to turn to, due to the generous benefits. Unfortunately, though, federal student loans do have loan limits. These vary by your year in school and depend on your status as a dependent or independent student. "Once someone exhausts federal aid or receives a smaller package than expected, turning to private student loans can feel like the next logical step, but it is so important to pause and really understand what you are signing up for. Private loans often come with higher interest rates and fewer protections, like income-driven repayment or forgiveness options," says Becca Craig, certified student loan professional and certified financial planner at Focus Partners Wealth. If you do need to turn to private student loans to cover any gaps, there are steps you can take now to set yourself up for success. Find out how affordable the right student loans could be today. Get a cosigner Federal loans generally don't require a credit check, but most private student loans do. This can present a problem for undergraduate students when it comes to private student loan eligibility. "Because private student loan applications are approved based on the creditworthiness of the borrower, many would-be borrowers are unable to qualify, especially undergraduates who may have a thin credit profile or no credit profile at all," says Glenn Sanger-Hodgson, certified student loan professional and financial planner at Shonan Gold Financial LLC. A cosigner is someone, like a parent, who agrees to take on the legal liability of the loan. So if there are issues with the loan repayment, the lender can turn to the cosigner to recoup what's owed. "A cosigner acts as a financial backstop, as they are equally responsible for the repayment of the loans in the event the student borrower can not make adequate student loan payments, which provides greater assurance that the loan will be repaid," says Sanger-Hodgson. Getting a qualified cosigner is an important step if you need private student loans and are unable to qualify on your own. Start having discussions now and talk about rights and responsibilities so you're on the same page. Improve your credit and debt-to-income ratio Whether you're applying for a private student loan on your own or with a cosigner, lenders will look at various factors when determining your eligibility. To put you in the best position possible, both students and cosigners "should focus on getting their credit score up, and paying off other debt to lower the debt-to-income ratio that lenders will look at to determine whether a student loan will be approved," says Jack Wang, college financial aid and wealth advisor at Innovative Advisory Group and host of the Smart College Buyer podcast. Your payment history and credit utilization make up a significant part of your FICO credit score. On-time payments and using less of your available credit can help. Paying down your balances and boosting your income can also help lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Taking these steps can help your approval odds when applying for a private student loan. Start applying with private student loan lenders now If you need additional financing for the fall 2025 semester, now is a good time to submit a private student loan application. Some private lenders allow student loan borrowers to get prequalified, so you can check your prospective rate and eligibility. You may also stand to save if you submit a private student loan application now. For example, some lenders offer small discounts for applying early (before a certain deadline). And, aside from getting prequalified and raking in potential rate discounts to reduce student loan costs, getting started now can ensure you get the funding you need on time. "If you think you're going to have a funding shortfall and that you will need private student loans in order to continue your education, then it's important to start the application process at least two months before you will need the funds disbursed," says Sanger-Hodgson. "So if your school's tuition is due in August, for example, then you would want to start the application in early June at the latest." Sanger-Hodgson notes that once you're approved, your lender will need to confirm your enrollment and the cost of attendance through something called loan certification. This can take several weeks, so starting now can ensure you get the financing you need for the upcoming college semester. Student loan moves to make later this summer (but not now) Getting your student loan financing in order now is key so you're ready for the fall 2025 semester without any hiccups. While the aforementioned steps should be done now, here are some student loan moves to make later this summer: Confirm your loan disbursement dates. You can reach out to the financial aid office at your college to confirm when your student loans will be disbursed. You can reach out to the financial aid office at your college to confirm when your student loans will be disbursed. Create a budget. Once you know your loan amount and have a better idea of your school expenses, create a budget for the fall 2025 semester. Once you know your loan amount and have a better idea of your school expenses, create a budget for the fall 2025 semester. Make interest-only payments (if possible). If you take out private student loans, you may be able to make interest-only payments while in school. If that's possible with your budget, it could lower the cost of borrowing and save money on interest charges. Student loan mistakes to avoid for the fall 2025 semester Going to college can be an investment in your future, but taking out student loans is still a major responsibility, so there are certain mistakes you want to avoid, including: Not shopping around While private student loans don't offer student loan forgiveness or income-based repayment options, there are multiple lenders to choose from. That means you have more agency to choose a lender that meets your needs. A major student loan mistake to avoid is not shopping around. "Different lenders have different underwriting criteria and offer different terms, such as forbearance periods allowed. Borrowers need to shop around for the best terms, not just the lowest rate," says Wang. Consider comparing three to five private student loan lenders and reviewing the various offerings. Make sure to check the student loan qualifications so you meet the requirements. "Look at interest rates, fees, repayment flexibility and whether you'll need a cosigner. I'd also make sure you understand whether the interest is fixed or variable, and how that could change over time," says Craig. Borrowing more than you need Every dollar you borrow is a dollar you must repay, plus interest. Even if it's an investment in your college education, it's important to be smart about the amount you're borrowing. You may get an offer for a higher loan amount than you need. Sticking to only what you need can lower borrowing costs and put you in a better position for the future. Skipping the FAFSA You must fill out the FAFSA every school year to see if you qualify for grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans — but not every student takes the time to do so. "One of the biggest mistakes I see is when families think they earn too much money and assume they won't qualify for financial aid, and choose to not file their FAFSA form. This is a big mistake, especially considering there is no cost to file the form," says Sanger-Hodgson. Regardless of your financial situation, it's a good idea to fill out the FAFSA and see what type of aid you may qualify for. You'll want to check your college, state and federal deadlines so you don't miss your opportunity. The bottom line Summertime may not be the time you want to focus on the upcoming school year, but preparing early for the fall 2025 semester can help you secure the student loans you need to pay for school. The last thing you want to do is find out you have a gap in funding or need to rush — or worse, miss a deadline. When looking at your options, compare student loan interest rates, terms, discounts and any borrower benefits. Even if you lock in a rate now, you can always refinance private student loans later on after you graduate. The most important thing is to get started, do your research and maximize your financial aid options. Once you do that, you can be a well-informed student loan borrower and know what you're getting into.
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Focus Partners Wealth Expands with First External Acquisition Since Rebrand
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Focus Financial Partners Inc., an interdependent partnership of wealth management, business management, and related financial services firms, today announced that Focus Partners Wealth, LLC will acquire Churchill Management Corporation in a transaction expected to close in the third quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Upon completion of this transaction, Churchill will be the first external firm that Focus Partners Wealth has acquired since its rebrand in January 2025. Churchill is expected to add approximately $9.4 billion, measured as of March 31, 2025, to Focus Partners Wealth's existing regulatory assets under management. 'M&A remains an avenue for us to add high-quality firms that are committed to evolving for the benefit of their clients,' said Michael Nathanson, CEO of Focus Financial Partners. 'Firms like Churchill, with its commitment to outstanding client service and industry-leading success, are ideal for the integrated model we are building. From our first conversation, it was clear that we shared a vision, making this a natural fit and a special opportunity for both firms.' Founded in 1963, Los Angeles-based Churchill provides investment management and financial planning services to clients nationwide. The firm's employees include a national team of advisors and business development professionals. This transaction will bring together two businesses with a shared client-first philosophy. The Churchill team will gain access to a more expansive suite of client services, while Focus Partners Wealth will gain a national, growth-oriented team that complements Focus Partners Wealth's presence and service offering. The Churchill business will operate as a division of Focus Partners Wealth for a period of time following completion of the acquisition before transitioning to Focus Partners Wealth in the future. 'As we continue to build Focus Partners, there is nothing that thrills me more than joining forces with a great firm that enhances what we do,' said Adam Birenbaum, CEO of Focus Partners Wealth. 'The Churchill team is highly talented and complementary. They combine a very rare mindset of high growth and progress forward with a high standard of care. I cannot wait to welcome them.' This alignment of values and complementary strengths sets the stage for a smooth integration—one that benefits Focus Partners Wealth, the Churchill team, and, most importantly, the clients they serve. Leadership from both organizations shared their enthusiasm for what this transaction makes possible. 'Throughout our more than 60 years of serving clients, our core principle has been to meet and exceed our clients' financial goals using a comprehensive, multi-strategy approach to investing,' said Randy Conner, President of Churchill. 'We are excited to begin providing an even greater depth of services to our valued clients with the resources of Focus Partners Wealth.' Travis Danysh, Chief Corporate Development Officer of Focus Financial Partners, added, 'We view a successful transaction as one that strengthens our business and furthers our capabilities for clients. The addition of Churchill supports our goals to add talented and client-oriented businesses to Focus Partners Wealth.' Berkshire Global Advisors LP served as the exclusive financial advisor to Churchill. RBC Capital Markets served as the exclusive financial advisors to Focus on the transaction. About Focus Financial Partners Inc. Focus is an interdependent partnership of wealth management, business management, and related financial services firms, rooted in a client-first approach and powered by the collective energy and capabilities of its many advisors and professionals. The Focus partnership includes firms operated under the Focus Partners brand that reflect the company's key business lines. Through a blend of innovative solutions, strong capital backing, and deep business expertise, Focus empowers its firms to achieve their business objectives by helping them better serve their clients and advisors. Discover more about how Focus is evolving the wealth and business management landscape by visiting or by following the company on LinkedIn. About Focus Partners Wealth, LLC Focus Partners Wealth is an organization of wealth, asset, and business management resources that brings strength, innovation, and partnership to client relationships. Through a comprehensive range of services, Focus Partners Wealth works with clients at every stage, helping them manage their financial future. Their team of advisors works collectively to deliver personalized wealth planning strategies across local communities, placing clients' values, goals, motivations, and priorities at the heart of what they do. With nearly 100 locations across the country, Focus Partners Wealth serves clients in all 50 states. For more information visit About Churchill Management Group Founded in 1963, Churchill Management serves over 7,000 clients with combined regulatory assets under management of over $9.4 billion as of March 31, 2025. The firm credits its success to a combination of its commitment to communication, dedicated service teams, and a blend of tactical and fully invested strategies tailored around comprehensive financial planning. © 2025 Focus Financial Partners. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's ‘World War III' warning to Zelensky rattled stocks. Why they quickly recovered.
U.S. stocks largely looked past a heated discussion on Friday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, which saw Trump claim Ukraine was gambling with 'World War III.' After an initial dip for stocks and a brief spike in Wall Street's 'fear gauge,' U.S. equities ended the day sharply higher — reacting to the exchange as more 'theater' from Trump amid hopes that a Ukraine-Russia peace deal could still move forward, said Keith Lerner, co-chief investment officer at Truist Advisory Services, on Friday afternoon. Trump's 'World War III' warning to Zelensky rattled stocks. Why they quickly recovered. 'Why am I so afraid to retire?' I'm 60 and lost $1.2 million in a divorce. Can I rebuild my life? 'She's bleeding her retirement dry': My friend earns $9 an hour, but wastes money on vacations and massages. What can I do? Friday's 'economic blackout' is a fool's errand — and gives 'woke' a bad name 'I believe myself to be an honorable person': Do I have the right to ask my husband if I'll inherit his house after he dies? 'Rightly or wrongly,' Lerner said, the reaction from U.S. and European stocks suggests that 'ultimately a deal still gets done.' Stocks briefly fell after the Trump-Zelensky exchange, which occured during a meeting aimed to further a Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal and to promote a Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Tempers flared, instead, and the meeting was cut short. Yet stocks then turned higher in the afternoon session. 'This is a very emotional time,' said Richard Steinberg, chief market strategist at Focus Partners Wealth, who cautioned investors against making any rash moves in the market. It has been an ugly February for the stock market, as some of the popular 'Trump trades' from November's election have faded, consumer sentiment has soured, bitcoin BTCUSD and megacap tech stocks MAGS have stumbled and talk of a potential correction in equities has taken hold. For the month, the S&P 500 SPX fell 1.4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA moved 1.6% lower and the Nasdaq Composite COMP lost 4%, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Earlier this week, Lerner's team downgraded equities to 'neutral' from 'attractive,' on a more mixed outlook for the U.S. economy and forward corporate earnings that have 'flatlined' — losing momentum while valuations remain high. The 10-year Treasury yield BX:TMUBMUSD10Y has dramatically eased back from its recent 4.8% peak, trading at 4.23% on Friday and potentially signaling concerns about the U.S. economy. Fed official delivers a blunt message to the stock market — which ignores it 'I've nothing left for retirement': My husband and I have 9 kids and $70,000 in student debt. How do we pay it off? My husband and I have been married for 18 years. We share a son — and my husband has a daughter. Why should they get an equal inheritance? My dying cousin 'fell in love' with his hospice nurse after 4 months. She inherited his entire estate. What can I do? People are worried about their jobs. Here's why that matters for stocks and bonds. Sign in to access your portfolio
