Blog

The Inflation Reduction Act, which has been signed by the president and has passed the House, has been heralded as a major legislative victory for the Democratic party. But will it really matter for the economy or the markets?

Last week we got word that the U.S. economy had contracted for the second quarter in a row. With a weaker economy, the next question is, what will happen to earnings? In this week’s Money with Murphy, I talk about corporate earnings.

As economic growth cools and inflation heats up, we are hearing more about recessions. Let’s talk recession and what’s happening with the latest GDP report.

So far, 2022 has brought surges in inflation fueled by war in Europe, monetary tightening and slower economic growth. Our 2022 theme of downshifting, or slowing of growth, is certainly coming to fruition. Read the latest Markets in a Minute

Our 2022 theme of downshifting, or slowing of growth, is certainly coming to fruition as we close out the first half of the year. Watch the latest Money with Murphy for some insight into what we are watching and what to keep in mind...

Markets have had a damaging start to the year, with stocks and bonds both down year-to-date. What has driven this latest bout of negativity? In a word: inflation. Watch my latest Money with Murphy for more.

Lofty prices and higher mortgage rates are beginning to shake the foundation of the single-family housing market. Are we headed for a 2008-style correction? Read the latest Markets in a Minute for our take on what’s next.

The S&P 500 is now officially in a bear market. Listen to the latest Money with Murphy about what not to do.

What’s there to like about a down market? Several things, actually. Read the latest to learn about opportunities to potentially enhance long-term returns, reduce portfolio risk and lower your tax bill when markets take a turn for the worse.

After a long stretch of torrid price appreciation, the U.S. market is at a crossroads. Where does it go from here? Watch the latest Money with Murphy for our take on that question.

Trying to make sense of cryptos? Listen to the latest Money With Murphy for thoughts on volatility in the crypto world and why investors might want to take a “back to basics” approach to their portfolios.

Markets in a Minute: Market Volatility Stock and bond markets have had a wild ride. What’s driving this recent volatility and what’s an investor to do? Read the latest Markets in a Minute for a back-to-basics playbook for volatile markets.

As economic growth cools and inflation heats up, we are hearing more comparisons with the 1970s and 80s. Let’s talk stagflation and why today’s economy and market are different in this week’s Money with Murphy.

A bruising first quarter for stocks and bonds begs the question: Are markets signaling a recession in 2022, or a downshifting from the torrid growth of 2021? We continue to be in the downshifting camp. Read the latest Markets in a Minute...

The first quarter’s rocky start certainly aligned with our 2022 outlook-themed “downshifting.” Watch this week’s Money with Murphy to learn more about where we go from here and what we are currently seeing.

The yield curve is a term frequently used in the financial press. In this week’s video, I talk about what it is and what it’s telling us.

After two years of rock-bottom rates, the Federal Reserve has commenced lift off. So, what does this mean for the economy, and, more importantly, for your portfolio?

New Employee Announcement!

Laura Steinbeck, CFP®, ChFC®, CDFA®

Friday, March 18, 2022

We are excited to announce the hiring of Glenn Bittner.  Glenn will be joining our Financial Advisor Team and we believe his role at Pacific Wealth Planning, Inc. will enhance our continued commitment to our clients’ success.

With the war in Ukraine approaching its one-month mark and inflationary pressures rising, many investors are asking: What’s there to feel good about? The Fed is mulling the same question as it contemplates its next steps. My latest Markets

Money with Murphy – Ukraine The war in Ukraine is in its second week. In my latest Money with Murphy, I talk about the most pronounced market impacts and share some suggestions for how you can help from a humanitarian perspective.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has humanitarian and geopolitical consequences but what are the implications for the global economy and equities? My latest Markets in a Minute explores this question and more

The Ukraine-Russia crisis has recently taken over the headlines. In today’s Money with Murphy, I take a look back to what brought us here and why investors should care.  

With inflation hotter than expected and spreading beyond pandemic-affected industries, the Fed appears poised to take more aggressive steps to rein in price increases. What does that mean for stocks? Read my latest Markets in a Minute for a

Our 2022 theme of downshifting, or slowing of growth, is certainly coming to fruition less than a month into the new year. Watch the latest Money with Murphy for some insight into what we are watching and what to keep in mind when making in

Get out and grab a copy of the November Issue of Diablo magazine! The 2021 list of Five Star Wealth Managers is out and includes Laura Steinbeck! That makes NINE consecutive years Laura has received this honor! You can learn more about...

We are pleased to announce that our very own Laura Steinbeck is being recognized by the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce as their 2021 Business Person of the Year given her significant contribution to the community. See press release...

Money with Murphy – Octoberphobia: Seasonal Market Patterns What do Octoberphobia, bear killer, and Santa Claus all mean for your portfolio? Watch this short video to learn more about the seasonal patterns of the fourth quarter.

Markets in a Minute: Crypocurrency Is it wise to invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies? The question has been hotly debated across kitchen tables, institutional boardrooms, and even among financial advisors and their clients. As...

Markets in a Minute: Debt Ceiling The current showdown in Congress over raising the debt ceiling has high economic stakes. But it’s worth recalling that we’ve been down this road before, and the federal government has...

Money with Murphy: Are We in the Midst of a Housing Bubble? Watch the latest Money with Murphy video for insight on what caused the increase in home prices and what we can expect.

We are pleased to announce Five Star award winner Laura Steinbeck’s appearance in a Women in Wealth special section in the October/November 2021 issue of Fortune magazine. Laura was named a Five Star award winner in 2021 for the...

Even with its September slump, the equity market has staged a remarkable comeback from its pandemic lows. But, with equity valuations near historic highs, many investors are asking: Is this as good as it gets? Not likely, given the...

Money with Murphy: Labor Market & the Fed A flurry of data on the labor market has people wondering what impact it will have on Federal Reserve policy. Tune into the latest edition of Money with Murphy for more on the topic.

Markets in a Minute from Kara Murphy, CFA® The economy grew at a torrid pace in the first half of the year. While the second half will likely see some slowing, earnings should continue to grow, partly offset by a contraction in...

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Laura Steinbeck

Saturday, May 1, 2021

We are excited to announce our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on our 1 Year Anniversary. So Please Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion.

Stay Tuned....