As market strategists and pundits attempt to predict the end of this economic cycle, a commonly mentioned indicator is the term spread of U.S. Treasuries – or the difference between short-term yields and long-term yields.

If you haven’t taken an in-depth look recently at how your company’s retirement plan is doing, now might be a good time to check its “vital signs,” especially if your plan is more than 10 years old.

A strong U.S. economy, continued global growth improvement, a concerted effort by global central banks to remain accommodative as long as possible, and a general sense of complacency about valuations in the equity markets provided the backdrop for 2017’s wins.

If there is one thing that all investors can agree on from the first quarter of 2018, it is that volatility in the markets is most certainly back. But what does that mean, and why is it such a critical data point for market participants?

Whatever the reason you’re seeking to buy a second or permanent home in Florida, how do you choose the one that’s best for your situation? “Consider the practical and emotional value of the property—as well as its cost and location—before you take the plunge,” says Charles Nilsen, at Boston Private.

While the 24-hour news cycle careened from one potential political crisis to the next, from North Korea, to the Affordable Care Act repeal, to Supreme Court changes, and finally to tax reform, volatility in the equity markets remained subdued, and the pace of the upward climb continued throughout 2017...

The thirst for yield in the low interest rate environment of the last several years has created persistent demand for dividend paying stocks. Indeed, with investment grade bonds struggling to pay an attractive yield, dividends have taken on the role of cash flow generation for many investors...