Insights

With businesses across the U.S. beginning to reopen their doors, the stock market continued to rally in May, ending the month up more than 35% from its low for the year. The S&P 500® closed May at 3,044.31, which was 36.06% above its March 23 closing level of 2,237.40.

With businesses across the U.S. beginning to reopen their doors, the stock market continued to rally in May, ending the month up more than 35% from its low for the year. The S&P 500® closed May at 3,044.31, which was 36.06% above its March 23 closing level of 2,237.40.

Like carmakers and fashion designers, mutual fund companies offer their products in a wide variety of styles to meet the varying needs of investors. When deciding which mutual fund or funds would be best for you, it’s important to learn about all of the types of funds available.

Like carmakers and fashion designers, mutual fund companies offer their products in a wide variety of styles to meet the varying needs of investors. When deciding which mutual fund or funds would be best for you, it’s important to learn about all of the types of funds available.

Many churches have found ways to continue to connect with their followers and serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic in spite of social-distancing challenges that prevent congregating in person. In some cases, churches are even finding that reaching out in new and virtual ways is expanding their outreach in positive ways.

Many churches have found ways to continue to connect with their followers and serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic in spite of social-distancing challenges that prevent congregating in person. In some cases, churches are even finding that reaching out in new and virtual ways is expanding their outreach in positive ways.

A listing of all articles and market perspectives on the coronavirus and its impact on the global economy.

A listing of all articles and market perspectives on the coronavirus and its impact on the global economy.

Managing your finances when you’re fresh out of college can be intimidating—and the situation is tougher than it used to be.

Managing your finances when you’re fresh out of college can be intimidating—and the situation is tougher than it used to be.

There’s a lot going on for new college graduates. They may be moving into a new place, starting a new job, and pocketing a real paycheck for the first time—in addition to dealing with all the subsequent bills that come with post-college life.

There’s a lot going on for new college graduates. They may be moving into a new place, starting a new job, and pocketing a real paycheck for the first time—in addition to dealing with all the subsequent bills that come with post-college life.

Banking on hopes that the economy will ultimately make a strong recovery, the stock market staged a robust rebound in April, with the S&P 500® surging 12.68% for the month.

Banking on hopes that the economy will ultimately make a strong recovery, the stock market staged a robust rebound in April, with the S&P 500® surging 12.68% for the month.

There is a saying in the oil industry that “the cure for low prices is low prices.” Behavior in the domestic oil industry is changing dramatically as capital budgets are slashed, employment is reduced, and a focus on servicing, if not cutting debt, becomes a priority.

There is a saying in the oil industry that “the cure for low prices is low prices.” Behavior in the domestic oil industry is changing dramatically as capital budgets are slashed, employment is reduced, and a focus on servicing, if not cutting debt, becomes a priority.

As the economy quakes in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, stock market investors are bracing for an extended period of volatility. Could this be the time to consider actively-managed funds?

As the economy quakes in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, stock market investors are bracing for an extended period of volatility. Could this be the time to consider actively-managed funds?

Oil prices recently dropped to below zero. You might ask how that is possible?

Oil prices recently dropped to below zero. You might ask how that is possible?

The $2 trillion stimulus package recently enacted by Congress is designed to extend a helping hand to Americans and U.S. companies who may be struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $2 trillion stimulus package recently enacted by Congress is designed to extend a helping hand to Americans and U.S. companies who may be struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most advisors and investors probably know that a mutual fund’s “style” has nothing to do with being fashionable. But what they may not know is how important it is for the funds they pick to stick to their style over the long term to help them reach their goals.

Most advisors and investors probably know that a mutual fund’s “style” has nothing to do with being fashionable. But what they may not know is how important it is for the funds they pick to stick to their style over the long term to help them reach their goals.

It would be an understatement to say that the U.S. economy has never seen a quarter quite like the 1st quarter of 2020. The stock market posted one of its worst quarters in history, oil prices plunged by more than 60%, and the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries dropped to an all-time low. Gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to sink deep into negative territory after years of steady growth. And weekly unemployment claims spiked to more than 6 million – a jump of about 3,000%. But while the numbers paint a dire picture, a little perspective may be in order.

It would be an understatement to say that the U.S. economy has never seen a quarter quite like the 1st quarter of 2020. The stock market posted one of its worst quarters in history, oil prices plunged by more than 60%, and the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries dropped to an all-time low. Gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to sink deep into negative territory after years of steady growth. And weekly unemployment claims spiked to more than 6 million – a jump of about 3,000%. But while the numbers paint a dire picture, a little perspective may be in order.

As volatility ramps up in the markets, many investors are searching for a way to participate in the market without experiencing the extreme swings that have become common during the COVID-19 crisis. The Thrivent Low Volatility Equity Fund was conceived in 2017 with that purpose in mind. While the fund cannot eliminate losses in a down market, the portfolio is designed with the goal of lower volatility.

As volatility ramps up in the markets, many investors are searching for a way to participate in the market without experiencing the extreme swings that have become common during the COVID-19 crisis. The Thrivent Low Volatility Equity Fund was conceived in 2017 with that purpose in mind. While the fund cannot eliminate losses in a down market, the portfolio is designed with the goal of lower volatility.

If your investments are no longer aligned with your current situation, your portfolio may be overdue for an overhaul.

If your investments are no longer aligned with your current situation, your portfolio may be overdue for an overhaul.

Fee and expense structures are a key consideration when looking for a mutual fund. But what are they and why do they vary across mutual funds? Get to know the most common types of fees and expenses in order to make an informed choice.

Fee and expense structures are a key consideration when looking for a mutual fund. But what are they and why do they vary across mutual funds? Get to know the most common types of fees and expenses in order to make an informed choice.