http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick? The Retired Investor/@theMarket Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:46:17 EST en-us http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4615 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4615 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:55:00 EST Kevin Warsh, formerly of the Federal Reserve, was chosen to lead the U.S. central bank in May. At around the same time, U.S. forces gathered in the Middle East, as the president again threatened Iran. Together, these developments triggered traders to adopt a risk-off stance.   At... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4614 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4614 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:08:00 EST Jawboning, bluster, threats, and court actions have yet to force the Federal Reserve Bank to do the president's bidding. Undeterred, Donald Trump thinks he has found a way to lower consumer borrowing costs without further Fed action.   Given his background in real estate, where... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4613 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4613 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:50:00 EST A Greenland invasion, the end of NATO, another tariff war, Iranian riots, threats, and counterthreats. This week saw it all. It could have been the end of the world, but it wasn’t. Savvy investors took advantage of the noise. Talk about TACO (Trump always chickens out)! This week... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4612 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4612 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:26:00 EST Priced out of the housing markets, younger generations must look further afield to save for retirement. While the barriers to entry in the housing market keep rising, access to financial markets has gotten cheaper. This is a vastly different attitude and behavior from previous generations.... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4611 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4611 Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:52:00 EST It was a week where the White House provided a steady stream of "what ifs." Iran, Greenland, credit card caps, Fed subpoenas, and aid for home buyers were just some of the topics floated. Take it all with a grain of salt.   The overall market indexes traded in a tight... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4610 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4610 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:44:00 EST The college-age generation is grappling with inflation, increasing housing prices, climate change, and now mass corporate layoffs. In a world where geopolitical turmoil is increasing, the ground beneath their feet is shifting. Many believe their future is bleak.   My nephew, Joey,... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4609 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4609 Fri, 09 Jan 2026 14:17:00 EST It was a tumultuous week on the geopolitical front for the country, but markets took it in stride. The good news is that markets continue to climb, but for how long?   Since the beginning of the year, I have seen a fair amount of rotation, something I have suggested could happen.... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4608 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4608 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:49:00 EST For elderly Americans suffering through this affordability crisis, every little bit helps. Inflation and tariffs have made everything more expensive, so a boost to your Social Security monthly checks is welcome, but it's no cure for what ails us.   Given that inflation is... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4607 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4607 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:57:00 EST For those who have been wondering whether the Santa Claus Rally would occur this year, it appears that Santa is already on the roof. The stock market gained almost all of this holiday-shortened week on lighter volume. Can we expect the same next week?   Normally, investors can... http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4606 http://www.iberkshires.com/blogs/Bill_Schmick?bid=4606 Thu, 25 Dec 2025 16:12:00 EST In 2025, more than 1 million workers saved $2 billion-plus toward retirement through state-sponsored automated savings plans. Now, legislation introduced by a Massachusetts congressman would expand this program nationwide. Could this help solve the American savings crisis?   It is...