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Welcome to the February edition of Top of Mind! Winds of change are blowing on Wall Street. Large U.S. Growth stocks—which have been prevailing market leadership for more than a decade—are suddenly lagging. Meanwhile, areas of the...

Welcome to the February edition of FAQs and RAQs! Here we tackle client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely. FAQ: Some of the challenges facing the economy – namely the U.S. debt – seem insurmountable. Should I change my...

Welcome to a New Year’s edition of Top of Mind!It’s the time of year when investors look at markets with a fresh set of eyes. To start 2026, we’re sharing “10 Market Insights You Didn’t Know You Needed.” These are important things...

Welcome to a New Year edition of FAQs and RAQs!Here we tackle client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely.FAQ – What’s the Market Outlook for 2026?This question is asked so frequently that we're repeating it from last month,...

Welcome to the December Edition of Top of Mind! One of the privileges of being a financial advisor is accompanying clients through every stage of life’s journey. In a single day, we might speak with a newly married couple, new parents,...

Welcome to the December edition of FAQs and RAQs! Here we tackle client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely. FAQ: What’s the market outlook for 2026? Predicting the future is always tricky business! However, understanding...

Please click below to watch the latest installment in our quarterly webinar series, "What to Know & What to Do".

Welcome to the November edition of Top of Mind! One trillion. It’s a big number! So big that it’s hard to wrap one’s head around. One million dollar bills stacked would be as tall as a building. One trillion bills stacked would circle...

Welcome to the October edition of FAQs and RAQs! Here we tackle client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely. FAQ: What year-end portfolio tax strategies might make sense for my situation? It’s that time of year when “tax...

Welcome to the October installment of Top of Mind! AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. But you could also say it stands for All Important, because that’s how investors have been treating it. It may even be getting more headlines...

Welcome to September Edition of Top of Mind! We’re hearing it more and more from clients, usually those well into their golden years: “I have more money than I’ll ever spend.” And no, they didn’t hit the Powerball jackpot. What...

Welcome to a Back to School edition of FAQs and RAQs! Here we tackle client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely. FAQ: What are my options for unused money in a 529 Plan? Despite the high cost of college tuition, this...

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “You can’t take it with you.”These money clichés have been passed down for generations. They stick because they capture timeless wisdom in a few words (even if pennies...

Please click below to watch the latest installment in our quarterly webinar series, "What to Know & What to Do".

Welcome to the May edition of FAQs and RAQs! Here we tackle client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely.FAQ: Will higher tariffs lead to a recession and bear market? Short answer: Nobody knows for sure. This is the first time...

Welcome to the June installment of Top of Mind. What’s top of mind this month? Tensions in the Middle East. When it comes to war, there’s an old saying: “No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” In other words: war is...

Welcome to the June edition of FAQs and RAQs! Each month, we answer client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely.FAQ: Is the U.S. economy headed for a recession?A timely question, especially as investors navigate trade policy...

Welcome to the May Edition of Top of Mind!What’s top of mind this month? Now that markets have rebounded following April’s tariff-driven panic, we’re looking back at what we can learn from the volatility. Plus, we look ahead to the...

Welcome to the May edition of FAQs and RAQs! Here we answer client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely. FAQ: Inflation was coming down, but now seems likely to stay high. Is there something we should do? That depends on...

Click to watch the latest installment of our What to Know & What to Do webinar series.

Welcome to the April edition of Top of Mind! When it comes to investing, the enemy isn’t fear—it’s catastrophizing. A healthy fear of running out of money can motivate you to save and invest. But when fear spirals into worst-case...

Welcome to the February edition of FAQs and RAQs! Where we answer client questions—some asked Frequently, others Rarely (but still worth addressing).FAQ: Should I “buy the dip” in the stock market? That depends on your time horizon....

Welcome to the March edition of Top of Mind!Politics is emotional. As financial advisors, it’s not always an easy conversation. But when Washington impacts your money, it’s our job to address it!Right now, Wall Street is adjusting to...

Welcome to the February edition of FAQs and RAQs! Each month, we tackle client questions—some frequently asked, others rarely asked. FAQ: How should investors react to headlines about tariffs, the Department of Government Efficiency...

Welcome to the February Edition of Top of Mind! We all want to avoid a “family feud.” One way to do it? Get your estate plan in order. From deciding who gets what to clarifying who’s in charge, a well-structured estate plan eliminates...

FAQ: Are Some States Better for Retirement Than Others? RAQ: Are Municipal Bonds at Risk in the Event of a Natural Disaster?

Welcome to the January edition of Top of Mind! To mark a special occasion, we’ve compiled a list of 10 investing lessons for grown-ups from classic children’s literature.

Welcome to the December edition of Top of Mind! Can you believe it? We’re already a quarter of the way through the 21st century. How time flies when the market is up! This month, we’re reflecting on the first 25 years...

Welcome to the December edition of FAQs and RAQs! Will international stocks ever outperform again? What’s better: A Donor Advised Fund or a Private Foundation? Click to learn more!

Please watch the latest installment in our quarterly webinar series, "What to Know & What to Do".

Welcome to the November Edition of Top of Mind! Politics is an emotional topic, and as financial advisors, it’s not always the easiest conversation! But when Washington affects your money, it’s our job to address it..

Welcome to the November edition of FAQs and RAQs! This month, we address client questions—some Frequently Asked, and others Rarely Asked. FAQ: With federal government deficits so high, how close is America to a debt crisis? America is...

Welcome to the October edition of Top of Mind! This month, we look at how retirees can shift from a savings to a spending mindset...

Brian co-hosted an October edition of Baird's Your Wealth and You podcast. Click play below to listen to the entire episode:

What if you used a map of Pittsburgh to navigate Philadelphia? It sounds like a silly question, but investors do the equivalent every single day. Find out how in our latest 60 second video: This video is intended for informational and...

Welcome to the October edition of FAQs and RAQs! This month, we address client questions—some Frequently Asked, and others Rarely Asked. FAQ: How will the Presidential Election affect the stock market? This may be the most frequently...

Welcome to the September Edition of Top of Mind! Hang-Ups: We all have them. (Like Brian checking three times to make sure his phone is in his pocket.) This month, we dive into the emotional hurdles people face when making financial...

Welcome to the September’s FAQs and RAQs! Here we address client questions—some Frequently Asked, and others Rarely Asked. FAQ: Is the U.S. stock market expensive? Yes, at least compared to its history since World War 2. But we believe...

Welcome to the August edition of FAQs and RAQs! In this issue, we address client questions—some Frequently Asked, and others Rarely Asked. FAQ: How will the Presidential Election affect the stock market? To say this question is...

Welcome to the August edition of Top of Mind! Investing is a long-term journey, but it’s how you navigate those brief, panicky moments in the market that can determine your success. This month offered yet another reminder—kicking off...

Please click below to watch the latest installment in our quarterly webinar series, "What to Know & What to Do". 

Welcome to the July Edition of Top of Mind! This month, we discuss the "One Thing" to know about the market outlook.

FAQ: What investments are hidden beneficiaries of Artificial Intelligence? Imagine that you wanted to cash in on the invention of air conditioning. What’s the best move: buying shares in air conditioning companies or snapping up land...

Welcome to the June edition of Top of Mind! Why is it so challenging to succeed with money? It’s because the road to financial success often defies common sense, requiring us to make decisions that go against our gut instincts. This...

Kurt and Brian co-hosted a June edition of Baird's Your Wealth and You podcast. Click play below to listen to the entire episode:

Recession Phobia: What is it? Do you have it? What's the cure? Find out in our latest 60 second video: This video is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an...

Welcome to the May edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! FAQ: I’m a Millennial and can’t afford to buy a home. While home prices ever fall?

Welcome to the May edition of Top of Mind! This month, Kurt and Brian challenged each other to create with a list of “Surprise Financial Tips”—lesser known facts about financial planning and investment markets that are not only...

Please click below to watch the latest installment in our quarterly webinar series, "What to Know & What to Do". This video is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not an offer to buy or sell, or a...

Kurt and Brian co-hosted the April 14th edition of Baird's Your Wealth and You podcast. Click to watch a discussion of a surprising development with auto-renewed Bank CDs. Scroll down for the entire episode. This video is intended for...

Are you nervous about the stock market? You may not be as nervous as you think! Find out more in this "April Fools'" One Minute Market Insight: This video is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not an offer...

Welcome to the March edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions -- some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely. FAQ: How long can the bull market last? Short answer: Nobody knows! However, we can offer a framework...

Welcome to the March edition of Top of Mind! Twenty years ago, the world was running out of oil -- or so it seemed. Declining well production caused Wall Street to brace for “Peak Oil.”  Then, unexpectedly, a...

Click to watch a special "Leap Day" One Minute Market Insight.  Important disclosures below.  PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS. The S&P 500 is an index of 500 large U.S. companies. It is not possible to invest...

Welcome to the February edition of Top of Mind! Happy President’s Day! To celebrate this national holiday, we’ve assembled a list of five timeless presidential quotes, each offering a unique perspective on investing and...

Welcome to the February edition of FAQs and RAQs! Here we answer client questions, some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely...

The stock market is at all-time highs. Does that make you nervous? If so, watch our latest 60 second video.

Welcome to the January edition of Top of Mind! New York Yankees great Yogi Berra said it best: “It’s difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.” Yogi may have been handicapping a pennant race, but his...

Click to watch the latest installment in our quarterly webinar series, "What to Know & What to Do".

Welcome to the December edition of Top of Mind! It’s been a great year for markets, but you wouldn’t know it from the downbeat tone of financial news. While U.S. stocks soared, the media’s focus has been on the risk...

FAQ: Why do mutual fund pay capital gains distributions, and how can I minimize the tax impact?

Welcome to the November edition of Top of Mind! Election season can be a dangerous time for investors. It’s not that markets inherently perform poorly – in fact, the stock market tends to rise in election years! Instead,...

We’re twelve months out from a presidential election. For a politician, that’s a lifetime. For investors, it’s a short window when it’s all too easy to make emotion-led mistakes. In this month's One Minute...

How should investors treat the latest decline in the stock market? How much higher will interest rates go? How should investors respond to events in the Middle East? Click to find out...

Investors: frustrated by this market? It's time for a mental reset. We aim to provide just that in our latest One Minute Market Insight. 

Welcome to the October Installment of Top of Mind! “It’s like clouds on the horizon: something to watch, but not yet something to act on.” That’s been our advice when clients express concern about the fiscal...

Watch the latest installment of our webinar series. We give updates on market developments, portfolio positioning, and financial planning strategies

It's autumn in Western PA, and we're reflecting on lessons from the past in our latest One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

Welcome to the September edition of Top of Mind! This month, we give our top money-saving tips to cope with today's high cost of living. Plus, we used artificial intelligence to create unique inflation-inspired artwork.

Welcome to the September edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions, some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely. FAQ: How has the economy avoided a recession in the face of Fed rate hikes, an inverted...

Click to watch our August installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

How far can a bear run into the woods? Only halfway; after that, he is running out of the woods.

 Welcome to the August edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions, some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely. FAQ: After this year’s big market rebound, is it time to rebalance between...

Please click below for a replay of the latest installment in our quarterly webinar series, "What to Know & What to Do". 

Click to watch July's installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

Welcome to the July Edition of Top of Mind! What’s Top of Mind this month?   Sometimes you don’t need the sun to shine for the stock market to rally.  You just need the rain not to fall...

Click to watch June's installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird. 

Welcome to the June edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions, some asked Frequently and others asked Rarely....

In the wake of the pandemic, investors today are grappling with uncertainty. As the economic landscape undergoes unprecedented shifts, seeking guidance from unconventional sources becomes crucial.  Today, we bring you the insights...

Click to watch May's installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

Welcome to the May edition of Top of Mind, brought to you by the Carlson Group!  This month, we examine the debt ceiling standoff and how investors should respond...

Welcome to the May edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions -- some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely. FAQ:  What would a recession mean for the stock market? A recession might...

Click to watch April's installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

Welcome to the April installment of Top of Mind!What’s Top of Mind this month?The steady drumbeat of worrisome news headlines and whether it’s causing investors to be too downbeat on the outlook. Plus we look at first quarter...

Welcome to the April edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions -- some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely. 

Click to watch Kurt and Brian discuss What to Know & What to Do, the first in a quarterly webinar series bought to you by The Carlson Group. 

Click to watch March's installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

Welcome to the March Edition of Top of Mind with the Carlson Group!   What’s Top of Mind this Month? Please join us in welcoming Jacque Croissant to the team. Plus the rise of ChatGPT and what it could mean for investors...

Welcome to the March edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions -- some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely. FAQ: Is the bear market over? The answer to this question is easy: nobody knows...

Click to watch February's installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

Welcome the February edition of Top of Mind with the Carlson Group! What’s Top of Mind this month? Click to find out!

Welcome to the February edition of FAQ’s and RAQ’s! Here we answer client questions -- some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely.

Click to watch the first installment of One Minute Market Insight, brought to you by the Carlson Group at Baird.

Happy New Year from the Carlson Group!  What’s Top of Mind for 2023?  A review of last year’s market results and thoughts on what the New Year may bring.  The word “historic” has...

Welcome to the first installment of FAQ’s and RAQ’s!  Here we answer client questions -- some asked Frequently, and others asked Rarely!  FAQ:  Is the U.S. economy in a recession – or...

Welcome to the first installment of Top of Mind, a publication of the Carlson Group at Baird.  Each month, we’ll discuss investment and financial planning topics that are top of mind for you, our clients. So, what’s Top of Mind...

Dear Valued Clients: I am more than excited to join the Carlson Group at Baird! Kurt and I have worked hand-in-hand for more than twenty years, including during my time as Chief Investment Officer at Hefren-Tillotson. ...