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Posted on November 5, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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“The Medicare physician payment schedule released today is an unfortunate continuation of a two-decade march in making Medicare unsustainable for patients and physicians.
For 2024, the new rule indicates there will be another downward adjustment of 3.4 percent, on top of the 2 percent payment reduction in 2023. At the same time, the payment schedule confirms the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) increase at 4.6 percent, the highest this century and on top of last year’s 3.8 percent. MEI is the government measure of inflation in medical practice costs. “
“When adjusted for inflation, Medicare physician payment already has effectively declined 26% from 2001 to 2023 before additional inflation and these cuts are factored in.”
Posted on November 3, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Even though the Federal Reserve announced its interest rate decision yesterday, Jerome Powell wasn’t the government official investors were most anxious to hear from.
Instead, he was upstaged by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who gave an update on the size of upcoming bond auctions. Although many were concerned about the US selling new debt into a market where interest rates are high and demand for bonds has flagged (pushing yields way up), the market liked what she had to say.
Yellenexplained that the government would focus on shorter-term notes rather than longer-term ones, which prompted a rally for 10 and 30 year bonds.
Posted on November 3, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The IRS has increased the 401(k) plan contribution limits for 2024, allowing employees to defer up to $23,000 into workplace plans, up from $22,500 in 2023. The agency boosted contributions for individual retirement accounts to $7,000 for 2024, up from $6,500. The employee contribution limit for 401(k) plans is also increasing to $23,000 in 2024, up from $22,500 in 2023, and catch-up contributions for savers age 50 and older will remain unchanged at $7,500. The new amounts also apply to 403(b) plans, most 457 plans and Thrift Savings Plans.
IBM just informed its US workers that starting on January 1st, 2024, the corporation will no longer match employee contributions to their 401(k) retirement plans. Instead, it will offer a new benefit called a Retirement Benefit Account (RBA).
“Each eligible employee’s RBA will be credited monthly with an amount equal to five percent of their eligible pay – no employee contribution required,” a leaked internal memo reads, the content of which was confirmed by The Register’s sourcing. “IBMers will also receive a one-time salary increase to offset the difference between the IBM contributions they are currently eligible to receive in the 401(k) plan and the new five percent RBA pay credit. This is separate from the annual salary plan later in the year.”
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A jury on Thursday convicted FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, the culmination of a month-long trial that saw the former crypto mogul take the stand in his own defense after his inner circle of friends-turned-deputies provided damning testimony against him.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was up 79.92 points (1.9%) at 4,317.78; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 564.50 points (1.7%) at 33,839.08; the NASDAQ Composite was up 232.72 points (1.8%) at 13,294.19.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was down about 13 basis points at 4.663%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 1.21 at 15.66.
Nearly every sector participated in Thursday’s rally, with banks and other financial companies leading gainers. The KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) surged more than 5%. Energy and retail shares were also strong. Small-cap stocks outpaced their larger counterparts, with the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) jumping 2.5%.
Merck reported $640 million in sales for its Covid-19 drug, Lagevrio, in Q3 earnings, blowing past analyst expectations of $140.8 million. Covid drug sales have dropped for most big pharma companies this year, with Pfizer lowering its total expected 2023 earnings by about $9 billion due mostly to declining Paxlovid sales. Merck attributed the boost to increasing demand for Lagevrio in Japan.
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California’s largest health system agreed to a $200 million settlement on October 12th following an investigation that found the system has failed to provide timely behavioral health appointments for patients and has canceled more than 100,000 appointments.
Kaiser Permanente, which also runs a health plan, will “undertake a systemic overhaul” of its behavioral health services, Mary Watanabe, director of the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), the regulatory body that oversees managed care plans in California, said in a statement. The DMHC began investigating Kaiser in May 2022 after the Oakland-based health system saw a 20% increase in behavioral health patient complaints in 2021, the DMHC said in a statement.
President President Biden spoke Tuesday afternoon on what the White House has called a crackdown on “junk fees” in retirement planning. Such fees chip away at account balances over time, leading to lifetime savings that are up to 20% less than if advisors were held to the highest standards, according to a White House statement.
Under current regulations, advisors who provide advice to workers rolling their 401(k) or related plan into an individual retirement account are generally not considered a fiduciary—that is, a professional who must put clients’ interests ahead of their own. This means that an advisor could steer an investor into, say, an annuity that pays the advisor a big commission, even if it’s not the best option for the investor. In some cases, commission costs and other fees are baked into the product, as opposed to paid outright, and investors don’t realize that they are silently eating into returns over time.
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The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday as it continues to track inflation and the health of the economy. The central bank voted unanimously to leave its primary interest rate in the range of 5.25% to 5.50%. U.S. interest rates are the highest they’ve been in 23 years. That means interest rates on loans such as mortgages have gone up sharply, and so have payments on Treasury bonds and interest-bearing accounts.
Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was up 44.06 points (1.1%) at 4,237.86; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 221.71 points (0.7%) at 33,274.58; the NASDAQ Composite was up 210.23 points (1.6%) at 13,061.47.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 11 basis points at 4.761%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 1.30 at 16.84.
In addition to technology, communication services and utilities were among the strongest sectors Wednesday. Energy shares were under pressure as crude oil futures extended this week’s slump and ended at a two-month low. The U.S. dollar index (DXY) tumbled from an earlier rally to a one-month high, potentially reflecting expectations that domestic interest rates may be near a peak.
The average cost of a health insurance plan offered through an employer rose 7% this year, to $23,968 for family plans and $8,435 for individuals, according to a new survey from the private health foundation KFF.
The jump—the highest since 2011—was driven by inflation, as well as higher wages for healthcare workers and hospital system mergers, health policy experts say. Here’s what it means for employers and the 150+ million Americans who get insurance through work:
The increase amounted to ~$500 more out of pocket for family plan-holders, and $75 more for solo riders—further squeezing consumer spending power, which is already constrained by wages that haven’t caught up to high inflation.
Employers often bear the brunt of increased health spending because, in the interest of staying competitive, they’re wary of offloading too much of the rising costs onto their workers. That’s likely why deductibles haven’t grown much in the past five years.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—A federal jury just found the National Association of Realtors and large residential brokerages liable for about $1.8 billion in damages after determining they conspired to keep commissions for home sales artificially high. The verdict could lead to industry wide upheaval by changing decades-old rules that have helped lock in commission rates even as home prices have skyrocketed—which has allowed real-estate agents to collect ever-larger sums. It comes in the first of two antitrust lawsuits arguing that unlawful industry practices have left consumers unable to lower their costs even though internet-era innovations have allowed many buyers to find homes themselves online.
The Sitzer/Burnett class action lawsuit alleged that some of the nation’s largest real estate companies, including NAR, Keller Williams, Anywhere (formerly, Realogy), RE/MAX, Berkshire Hathaway’s HomeServices of America and two of its subsidiaries conspired to inflate commissions.
Over 12% of American families, or over 16 million, are millionaires, per the WSJ.
Median net worth for the 80th-90th income percentile saw net worth gains of 69% from 2019 to 2022.
The upper-middle class is growing and becoming wealthier, particularly among those aged 55-74.
It’s not just the top 1% that’s getting richer — over 16 million American families now have a net worth over $1 million. That’s over 12% of American families, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances of over 4,600 American households. This compares to just 9.8 million families who were millionaires in 2019, the WSJ found.
The analysis further noted how nearly eight million families have wealth over $2 million, compared to 4.7 million in 2019. This was particularly pronounced among families in the 55-74 age range. On the whole, median net worth — which measures household assets like houses and vehicles, minus debts like mortgages and student loans — rose an inflation-adjusted 37% between 2019 and 2022 up to around $193,000. Meanwhile, the average net worth rose to over $1 million, though this is skewed by extremely wealthy Americans.
Net worth has increased for all income percentiles even amid rising interest rates, though while the top 10% jumped from $1.84 million to $2.65 million, the bottom 20% rose from $10,780 to $16,900.
Finally, here is where the major US stock market benchmarks ended:
Economists expect the Fed to leave interest rates unchanged today, allowing previous rate increases to take greater hold of the economy and granting the central bank time to assess whether another hike will be necessary. Investors and policymakers will closely scour comments made by Fed Chair Jerome Powell for clues about the central bank’s path over the remainder of the year.
The S&P 500 Index was up 26.98 points (0.7%) at 4,193.80, down 2.2% for the month; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 123.91 points (0.4%) at 33,052.87, down 1.4% for the month; the NASDAQ Composite was up 61.76 points (0.5%) at 12,851.24, down 2.8% for the month.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 3 basis points at 4.909%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 1.61 at 18.14.
Real estate and financial shares were among the strongest performers Tuesday. Semiconductor companies were also higher. Energy shares lagged as crude oil futures extended their slide, dropping to near $81 a barrel to end at a two-month low. The U.S. dollar index (DXY) strengthened to near 11-month highs in the wake of a Bank of Japan (BoJ) policy shift.
The official website of the New York Stock Exchange does not list Halloween 2023 (or 2024 or 2025, for that matter) as a stock market holiday. In fact, no holidays are listed for the month of October. So, get ready for a full day of stock trading and investing today. And, we’ll be here, reporting the major events of the day, and year, as usual.
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Stocks markets shook off any scary notions yesterday, with the S&P 500 climbing out of correction territory and the DJIA notching its best day since June as companies like Nike and Verizon jumped. Investors will be watching tomorrow to see whether the good vibes can continue after the Fed announces its latest decision on interest rates.
But, worry remains as Adam Crisafulli of Vital Knowledge noted there are several technical factors fueling Monday’s pop in stock futures, “including extremely oversold prices.” The S&P 500 fell more than 2% for a second straight week.
“In addition, catalyst anticipation is playing a role too as investors hope the end of the month coupled with benign central bank decisions (BOJ, FOMC, BOE) and desired economic developments (cooler EU CPI, US JOLTs, and US jobs) will help stabilize the tape,” “However, after three consecutive months of losses … confidence has evaporated, and there’s very little genuine interest in buying the tape,” Crisafulli added.
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Finally, X is now worth less than half of what Elon Musk paid to buy Twitter last year. A memo to employees said the company was valued at $19 billion—55% less than the $44 billion that Musk paid out.
Posted on October 28, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
Today, October 28th, has been the best day of the entire year for stocks since 1950, according to Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA of http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com. Black Monday (also known as Black Tuesday in some parts of the world due to timezone differences) was the global, severe and largely unexpected stock market crash on Monday, October 19th, 1987. Worldwide losses were estimated at US$1.71 trillion. The severity of the crash sparked fears of extended economic instability or even a reprise of the Great Depression.
Of course it’s a Saturday this year; today.
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One large health system with hospitals in Virginia and Ohio this year cut off in-network access to consumers enrolled in some Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare and Medicaid health insurance plans. Two doctors groups with Scripps Health in San Diego are terminating contracts with private Medicare plans over concerns about payments and routine denials.
Inflation’s summer decline slowed last month. Still, inflation has improved enough recently for Federal Reserve officials to hold interest rates steady at their meeting next week.
The personal-consumption expenditures price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.4% in September from the prior month, the same pace as in August, the Commerce Department said Friday. But so-called core prices, which exclude volatile food and energy categories, increased 0.3% in September from the prior month, compared with a 0.1% rise in August. Higher prices for services drove the increase.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 19.86 points (0.5%) at 4,117.37, down 2.5% for the week and down 10.6% from a July peak; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 366.71 points (1.1%) at 32,417.59, down 2.1% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was up 47.41 points (0.4%) at 12,643.01, down 2.6% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 1 basis point at 4.835%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.61 at 21.29.
Banking and energy were among the weakest sectors Friday, with the latter under pressure despite strength in crude oil futures. Another leg down in small-cap stocks suggested investors are growing increasingly concerned about the economy, as the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) closed at its lowest level in nearly three years and dropped 2.6% for the week.
Posted on October 25, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
ByStaff Reporters
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Google and Microsoft, the two tech giants, reported big jumps in earnings revenue, another sign that Big Tech’s growth has rebounded following last year’s downturn?
Google parent Alphabet reported 11% revenue growth to about $77 billion for the third quarter, thanks mainly to increased advertising sales.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s revenue jumped 13% to $56.5 billion as AI created more demand for its products. Still, it wasn’t all rosy: Alphabet shares fell in extended trading after it missed on revenue estimates for its cloud division.
Meta reports its third-quarter earnings today, and Amazon posts tomorrow.
Posted on October 24, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
And … Bill Gross Speaks
By Staff Reporters
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The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond shot above 5% in early trading yesterday—hitting its highest since 2007 and rattling investors—before retreating a bit so everyone could chill out. While a high return on long-term government debt sounds like something only a Wall Street wonk would fret about, it can raise borrowing costs for everyone from homebuyers to small businesses.
Treasury yields have been rising steadily for almost two years as investors kept anticipating (correctly) that Jerome Powell would raise interest rates to combat persistent inflation.
Bond yields are used as the measure against which lots of other interest rates are set, so recent sky-high yields have contributed to the current eye-popping mortgage rates, which have made homeownership 52% more expensive than renting, and they’re part of the reason why the number of Americans struggling to make car payments is at its highest since at least 1994.
Yields crossed the symbolically significant 5% mark yesterday because investors rushed to sell off 10-year bonds, making them cheaper, per supply and demand—that boosted the bond yields, since yields move in the opposite direction from price.So, why did Wall Street press “sell” on Treasurys?
It’s usually a sign of confidence in the economy, but some analysts are concerned that this time, investors are shedding government debt because they perceive the US as being a spendthrift as the deficit grows. However, the traditional psychology may also be at play: The influential billionaire investor Bill Ackman is believed to have single-handedly stopped yesterday’s bond market sell-off by saying he’d ended his bet on 30-year Treasury bond prices falling because he thinks there is “too much risk in the world” and the economy isn’t as strong as it seems. The 10-year bonds dropped back to 4.85% yesterday afternoon.
Posted on October 24, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended today:
The S&P 500® Index (SPX) was down seven points (0.2%) at 4,217.04; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 191 points (0.6%) at 32,936.41; the NASDAQ Composite was up 35 points (0.3%) at 13,018.33.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was down about nine basis points at 4.845%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 1.4 points at 20.35.
The communication services, technology, and consumer discretionary were the best sector performers, thanks in part to gains in big tech companies.
Energy was the laggard Monday, as WTI crude dropped 2.6% to below $86 a barrel.
Posted on October 23, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The 2023 federal budget deficitsurged by 23% to $1.7 trillion, leaving the US in its deepest yearly fiscal hole outside of the Covid era, according to the Treasury Department, which released the data on Friday.
But a closer look reveals the financial picture is even worse than the headline #s suggest.
The Treasury recorded the Biden administration’s ~$300 billion student loan forgiveness program as a cost last year, but it was struck down by the Supreme Court and never took effect, resulting in the Treasury considering it a savings this year.
That means the year over year increase effectively doubled from $1 trillion in 2022 to $2 trillion in 2023.
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The benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield rose above 5% and to its highest since 2007 on Monday, as a roaring U.S. economy led investors to expect interest rates to stay high for an extended period. The combination of those higher yields and risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East soured sentiment at the start of a week full of mega-cap earnings and key data, and pushed global shares down to seven-month lows.
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Chevron said it would buy Hess in an all-stock deal worth $53 billion, the second major oil tie-up this month following Exxon Mobil’s deal to buy Pioneer Natural Resources. The U.S. energy company said buying Hess would upgrade and diversify its portfolio, marking Chevron’s entrance into an Exxon-led partnership overseeing a generational oil find in Guyana, while picking up additional U.S. shale assets largely in North Dakota. Chevron also highlighted the attraction of Hess’s assets in the Gulf of Mexico and its natural-gas business in Southeast Asia.
At D.E. Marcinko & Associates our clients traditionally includephysicians [MD, MBBS and DO], dentists [DDS and DMD], podiatrists [DPM], Registered Nurses [RNs], Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists [CRNA], Physician Assistants [PA] and Nurse Practitioners [NP]. A growing cohort of clients include medical technologists, physical, speech and occupational therapists, etc.
The above are naturally segregated into three career tranches: 1. New practitioners, 2] Mid-Career practitioners and 3] Mature practitioners. We serve them all and are fully prepared for any special needs situation that may arise in any tranche [death, divorce, adverse risk event and/or bankruptcy, etc].
D.E.Marcinko & Associates understands the complexity of financial and non-financial deal terms because we are also doctors. Our “hard” knowledge of your business comes from being actual healthcare facility owners, operators and medical practitioners [with additional professional licenses and expertise] enabling us to effectively analyze your business, take corrective measures and present your healthcare entity in the best possible and accurate light.
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TOD deeds are legal documents that can be filed in local land records offices, and do not require the notice of the beneficiary, though it’s probably a good idea to inform them. Each state has its own requirements as to what the deed entails. TOD deeds are offered in 27 states (and D.C.).
These deeds are revocable once filed. Beneficiaries have no ownership claim to your property while you’re still alive. You maintain full control of the property, including responsibility for any mortgage debt, taxes, liens and the like. Once you pass away, the property will transfer to your named beneficiary, along with any debts attached to it.
Before signing a transfer on death deed, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Pros
You retain ownership while you’re still alive. Your beneficiary only takes over once you pass away; until then, you make all decisions about your property, and can even sell it if you choose. This makes a TOD deed a better choice than, say, adding someone as a joint owner on your property. (In that case, you would need their permission before selling, refinancing, mortgaging or even improving the home.)
It is revocable. If you choose to withdraw or revoke your transfer on death deed, you can do so at any time. You can also replace an existing TOD deed with a new one, if desired.
It’s simple. Establishing a transfer on death deed is easy. It just requires signing the document and filing with your county land records office. You don’t even need to let the beneficiary know you’ve done it.
Anyone can be named you beneficiary. You can use a transfer on death deed to pass property to anyone when you die. This includes family members, friends, other loved ones or even charitable causes.
Cons
Joint ownership takes precedence. If the property is jointly owned with someone else, that ownership supersedes a TOD deed. The property will instead transfer to the other owner if you pass away. Once they also pass away, the TOD deed will go into effect (if still valid).
If your beneficiary dies first, your property goes to probate anyway. If you pass away along with or after your beneficiary, and don’t have a backup beneficiary named, your property will go through probate with the rest of your estate.
Posted on October 21, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The U.S. government on Friday posted a $1.695 trillion budget deficit in fiscal 2023, a 23% jump from the prior year as revenues fell and outlays for Social Security, Medicare and interest costs on the federal debt rose significantly.
The Treasury Department said the deficit was the largest since a COVID-fueled $2.78 trillion gap in 2021 and marks a major return to ballooning deficits after back-to-back declines during President Joe Biden’s first two years in office. The deficit comes as Biden is asking Congress for $100 billion in new foreign aid and security spending, including $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel, along with funding for U.S. border security and the Indo-Pacific region.
The S&P 500® Index was down 53.84 points (1.3%) at 4,224.16, down 2.4% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 286.89 points (0.9%) at 33,127.28, down 1.6% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was down 202.37 points (1.5%) at 12,983.81, down 3.2% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 8 basis points at 4.907%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.26 at 21.71.
Small-cap stocks, which are considered to be more exposed to economic uncertainty, were also soft, as the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) dropped to a 12-month low and was 2.2% lower for the week.
Gold futures rose 2.3% for the week and ended near a three-month high, as the fighting in the Middle East fueled demand for assets considered to be safe havens. Volatility based on the VIX spiked to its highest level since March.
In the last 20 months, the US Federal Reserve has jacked up interest rates to a 22-year high to tame soaring inflation. And inflation has come down to about half of its June 2022 peak. But the economy is still strong.
The Fed’s rate-hiking jamboree was expected to slow hiring, spending, and broader economic growth as unfortunate side effects of popping the inflation balloon. However, a series of recent reports shows that the US economy is still roaring in the ’20s:
Jobs: Employers smashed expectations by adding 336,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate remains at a low level of 3.8%.
Spending: Retail sales also blew past estimates in September, a sign that American consumers remain the undisputed shopping world champs. This probably helped: Americans’ household wealth surged 37% from 2019 to 2022, according to Fed data released on Wednesday. That’s more than double the second-highest increase on record.
Economy: After the strong retail sales numbers came out this week, Morgan Stanley raised its Q3 economic growth outlook to 4.9% from 4.5%. Context: One year ago this week, Bloomberg economists predicted a 100% chance of a recession…within a year.
Posted on October 20, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Bond yields, which impact borrowing costs for all kinds of loan products, moved higher this week as investors fretted over higher-for-longer interest rates. After notching a 16-year-record earlier this month, the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond continued to surge on Thursday, rising to 4.958%.
The S&P 500 Index was down 36.60 points (0.9%) at 4,278.00; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 250.91 points (0.8%) at 33,414.17; the NASDAQ Composite was down 128.13 points (1.0%) at 13,186.18.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 9 basis points at 4.988%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 2.09 at 21.31.
Powell’s speech and Treasury yields at least partly overshadowed earnings reports from a few major companies, including Netflix (NFLX), whose shares soared 16% after the company reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results.
Otherwise, most areas of the market eroded, with consumer discretionary and real estate among the weakest-performing sectors. Energy shares held up somewhat better as crude oil futures rose for the fifth day in the past six and ended near a three-week high above $89 a barrel.
Gold futures jumped 1% and closed near a three-month high.
Posted on October 19, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Though high interest rates have consumers and businesses feeling the pinch, they’ve been a boon to the US’s largest banks. JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo all had stronger-than-expected third-quarter results. In total, the banks earned $22 billion in profit, more than a third higher than in Q3 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported. Their combined revenue was $81 billion, or 14% higher than last year.
Bank stocks dipped last month following the Fed’s meeting, where it held interest rates steady. But though high rates have hurt some smaller banks, they’ve helped keep the large banks’ net interest margins healthy according to CNBC. JPMorgan’s Net Interest Income (NII) was up 30% year over year, rising to $22.9 billion. Wells Fargo’s declined slightly from last quarter, but was still 8% higher than it was last year.
The US economy remains strong, but shows some signs of slowing, bank executives said during recent earnings calls. JPMorgan and Citi took note of consumer spending, with JPMorgan CFO Jeremy Barnum saying, “we are coming on off a very low base. And so there’s a hope and an expectation that we are on the path to normalization and improvement.”
The average cost for a family health insurance plan offered through an employer jumped 7% this year to $23,968 − the highest rate increase in a decade, according to the annual employer health benefits survey released yesterday by KFF, a nonprofit health policy organization. Prices are far higher than they were a year ago, when premiums increased by 1%.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 58.60 points (1.3%) at 4,314.60; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 332.57 points (1.0%) at 33,665.08; the NASDAQ Composite was down 219.44 points (1.6%) at 13,314.30.The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 6 basis points at 4.906%.CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 1.42 at 19.30.
Weaker-than-expected quarterly results from some airlines and shipping companies weighed on the transport sector, with the Dow Jones Transportation Average (DJT) sinking 3.4% to end near a four-month low. Financial shares were also lower, with the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) dropping nearly 3%. Energy was one of the few areas of strength after WTI Crude Oil futures (CLZ3) jumped above $87 a barrel to a two-week high following a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. supplies. Gold futures rose 1.4% near a two-month high.
Posted on October 18, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The IRS recently announced some welcome news for higher-income workers with 401-k[s] and similar retirement plans. The agency delayed implementing a new rule that would have required catch-up contributions made by people earning over $145,000 to be directed into an after-tax Roth account.
The S&P 500 Index was down 0.43 point at 4,373.20; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 13.11 points at 33,997.65; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was down 34.24 points (0.3%) at 13,533.75.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 13 basis points at 4.84%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.68 at 17.89.
Technology shares were among the market’s weakest performers Tuesday, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) dropping more than 1%. Banks and retailers did better.
The KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) rose 2% to end near a four-week high. Small-cap stocks were also higher, with the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) gaining more than 1%.
Posted on October 17, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Neuberger Berman is submitting a shareholder proposal to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., advocating for an end to the dual-class voting structure at the company ahead of a spinoff of its studio business.
The investment manager owns 0.02% of the company’s class A shares and 4.4% of the non-voting class B shares, according to a statement and Bloomberg calculations. Neuberger Berman, which has been a shareholder since 2016, submitted a proposal after having sent a letter to Lions Gate’s board last month.
Neuberger Berman said “one share, one vote” is a foundational principle of corporate governance and that dual-class structures are inconsistent with market practice with a 7% adoption among S&P 500 companies. It also said the structure may impair value and increase risk as it complicates capital structure and gives certain shareholder outsized influence.
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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said higher interest rates may persist, while insisting the US economy is “in a good place.” The interest on US debt, which stands at 98% of economic output, “remains manageable,” Yellen said on Monday in an interview with Sky News. “Higher interest rates may persist although that’s not clear,” she said. “Our fiscal situation is by no means unsolvable. We have to be attentive to it.”
LinkedIn said Monday it is laying off hundreds of employees amounting to about 3% of the social media company’s workforce. The Microsoft-owned career network is cutting about 668 roles across its engineering, product, talent and finance teams. “Talent changes are a difficult, but necessary and regular part of managing our business,” the company said in a statement.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was up 45.85 points (1.1%) at 4,373.63; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 314.25 points (0.9%) at 33,984.54; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 160.75 points (1.2%) at 13,567.98.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 8 basis points at 4.71%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 2.06 at 17.26.
All 11 S&P 500 sectors posted gains in Monday’s broad-based upswing, led by the S&P Retail Select Industry Index (SPSIRE), which surged 2.7%.
Regional banks and transportation shares were also among the strongest performers. Energy stocks held firm even as WTI crude oil futures slipped over 1%.
Posted on October 14, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Citigroup chief Jane Fraser has unveiled a plan to eliminate five layers of management in what is poised to become the bank’s largest restructuring in two decades, according to a presentation unveiled Friday. Since major reorganization changes were announced last month, Citigroup has scrapped its two core operating units — which had focused on institutional and consumer clients — and reorganized into five key business units including trading, banking, services, wealth management, and US consumer offerings. The stock price was up 3%.
JPMorgan Chase’s third-quarter profit soared 35% from last year, fueled by a rapid rise in interest rates, but the bank’s CEO, Jamie Dimon, issued a sobering statement about the current state of world affairs and economic instability.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 21.83 points (0.5%) at 4,327.78, up 0.4% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 39.15 points (0.1%) at 33,670.29, up 0.8% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was down 166.98 points (1.2%) at 13,407.23, down 0.2% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 9 basis points at 4.623%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 2.63 at 19.32.
Technology shares were among the market’s weakest sectors Friday, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) tumbling more than 2%. Regional banks and transportation were also lower.
The small-cap focused Russell 2000 Index (RUT) extended a recent slide and was down 1.5% for the week. Energy shares led sector gainers as WTI crude oil futures soared more than 5%, capping a gain of nearly 6% for the week, after reports the U.S. had tightened sanctions against Russian crude exports.
Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
***
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But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
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Conclusion
Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.
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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:
Posted on October 13, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended today:
The S&P 500 Index was down 27.34 points (0.6%) at 4,349.61; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 173.73 points (0.5%) at 33,631.14; the NASDAQ Composite was down 85.46 points (0.6%) at 13,574.22.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up nearly 11 basis points at 4.703%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.58 at 16.67.
Small-cap stocks led the way lower Thursday, as the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) sank more than 2% to a one-week low.
Retailers and utilities were also lower. Semiconductors and energy producers were among the few areas of strength, the latter posting modest gains even after a larger-than-expected increase in U.S. crude stockpiles sent oil futures lower.
Posted on October 12, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Markets: Stocks notched their fourth winning day in a row yesterday as investors digested the news that the Fed was split about future rate hikes at its last meeting while waiting for this morning’s report on how much consumer prices rose last month.
Ozempic continues eating into investors’ appetites for other industries. Its maker, Novo Nordisk, rose on the news that the diabetes drug may help treat kidney failure, but dialysis providers DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care plunged.
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Earnings season is back: PepsiCo, Delta, Dominos, and big banks headline the start of earnings season, one that will have investors looking at how slowing inflation has affected the ability of companies to pad their profit margins. Pepsi’s report will be closely watched as its snack division, Frito-Lay, could be tested by the increasing popularity of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy. Major banks like JPMorgan are expected to post strong results.
US consumer spending: Has remained surprisingly strong despite rising interest rates, and a senior spending spree could explain it. According to the Department of Labor, Americans aged 65 and older accounted for 22% of consumer spending last year, the highest percentage since records began in 1972. It also helps that 17.7% of the US population is 65 and older, the highest on record dating to 1920. Better health, longer lifespans, and changes in attitude toward saving for a rainy day after the pandemic have boomers feeling OK about their finances.
The markets are down again and stocks continued their September slump with tech companies getting hit especially hard as investors fretted about another possible Fed rate hike because of data showing prices for manufacturing and services trending upward. It was a mixed bag for the meme stock faithful, with AMC hitting an all-time low after releasing a plan to sell new shares and GameStop rising after-hours thanks to better-than-expected sales last quarter.
This all may demonstrate that private companies looking to fund growth in this high-interest rate environment are facing a tough time raising capital amidst falling valuations, according to a new Deloitte survey.
The problem is particularly acute for smaller companies. Many of the companies challenged by capital raising saw themselves putting out the “For Sale” sign within the next six months, which could lead to an M&A boom later this year.
“The No. 1 largest factor that people saw as a challenge or a barrier was a decrease in valuations of their business,” Wolfe Tone, vice chair and US and Global Deloitte Private leader, told CFO Brew. “Clearly, increasing interest rates and pricing was closely behind that. Liquidity challenges not far behind that.”
Private companies have been looking to raise capital to fund a range of growth initiatives; meeting talent needs and expanding tech capabilities are at the top of the list, Tone said. Not far behind was “increasing productivity and improving cost structures.”
Posted on October 12, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Resilient economic and earnings data, an expected end to Fed rate hikes, lower market volatility, and a broader recovery in the equity markets are favorable signs for IPO activity. With 8 of the 10 largest tech IPOs ever, the NYSE is ready when you are. Learn more.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was up 18.71 points (0.4%) at 4,376.95; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 65.57 points (0.2%) at 33,804.87; the NASDAQ Composite was up 96.83 points (0.7%) at 13,659.68.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down nearly 10 basis points at 4.558%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.93 at 16.10.
Real estate and utilities were among the market’s strongest sectors Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Utility Index (DJU) jumping more than 1% to a two-week high. Communication services and technology shares were also higher.
Energy stocks led sector decliners as crude oil futures fell more than 2%, pressured by reports Saudi Arabia will support efforts to stabilize oil markets to account for uncertainty caused by the fighting in Israel.
Posted on October 11, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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After months of speculation, Birkenstock made its first move to go public in September, sending its prospectus document to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In the filing, Birkenstock stated it would sell close to 32.26 million shares priced between $44 and $49 per ordinary share to raise about $1.58 billion for the company and its private equity owner L Catterton, which is backed by the French luxury fashion house LVMH. At the low end, the valuation would hover around $8.3 billion, and at the high end about $9.2 billion, according to the numbers revealed in the filing. The prospectus also stated that LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault’s family holding company Financière Agache is interested in buying up to $325 million in shares. Alexandre Arnault, Bernard’ son, will join Birkenstock’s board of directors after the offering. While no date has been confirmed for when the company will officially go public, Birkenstock’s debut on the stock exchange could come as soon as Wednesday, Oct. 11th, 2023.
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A sustained rise in long-term Treasury yields could be bringing the Federal Reserve’s historic rate hiking cycle to an anticlimactic end. Top central bank officials have signaled in recent days that they could be done raising short-term interest rates if long-term rates remain near their recent highs and inflation continues to cool.
The S&P 500 Index was up 22.58 points (0.5%) at 4,358.24; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 134.65 points (0.4%) at 33,739.30; the NASDAQ Composite was up 78.60 points (0.6%) at 13,562.84.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was down about 13 basis points at 4.653%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.66 at 17.04.
Shares of retailers, regional banks, and technology companies were among the market’s strongest performers Tuesday, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) up more than 1% to a three-week high.
Small-caps also strengthened, with the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) up about 1.5%, outpacing their large-cap counterparts. WTI crude oil futures fell for the first day in three, while the U.S. dollar index (DXY) eroded for the fifth day in a row to touch its lowest level in more than a week.
Posted on October 10, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Walgreens’ corporate management have announced that they would be closing 150 of its nearly 9,000 stores in the United States by the end of August 2024 as profits have declined. In an earnings call the Chief Financial Officer James Kehoe said that earnings sunk from $289 million to $118 million from the year prior in the third quarter, CEO Rosalind Brewer said.
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Hospitalizations from COVID-19 pose a “continued public health threat”, particularly to those adults aged 65 and above. This is the warning of a study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), which analyzed hospitalizations between January and August this year.
Markets: Investors will be focused on the outbreak of war in Israel and Gaza, which could lead to volatility in global stock markets and oil prices, depending on the escalation of the conflict. US oil futures jumped. Later in the week, the consumer price index report will give an update on the Fed’s fight against inflation.
Here is where the major benchmarks ended (the bond market was closed for Columbus Day):
The S&P 500 Index was up 27.16 points (0.6%) at 4,335.66; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 197.07 points (0.6%) at 33,604.65; the NASDAQ Composite was up 52.90 points (0.4%) at 13,484.24.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.25 at 17.70.
Posted on October 9, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
The Institute of Medical Business Advisors is a leading national scope provider of healthcare economics, finance, investing, managerial accounting, policy, management and business administration education and medical practice management textbooks, reports, hand-books, dictionaries, journals, white-papers, fair-market valuations [FMV] and legal advisory opinions using multi-platform and traditional seminars and channels of knowledge distribution. iMBA helps the nation’s financial, healthcare and education professionals make decisive improvements in their direction and performance by empowering them through unbiased information, consultants and proprietary tools, books, templates and B-school styled case models.A virtuous “win-win” situation for all concerned.
The firm serves universities, medical, business, graduate and nursing schools; physicians, dentists, attorneys and legal societies – accountants, financial service providers, stock brokers, RIAs, wealth and hedge fund managers – emerging entities, hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, CXOs and their BODs – the press, media and related academic entities.
Posted on October 9, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Be alert and ready for the S&P 500 to crash by 50%, house prices to slide, and a recession to strike, Jeremy Grantham says.
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It has been a difficult couple of years for BlackRock, the world’s biggest money manager. The firm is still enormously profitable, though it has recently taken some big hits because of its promotion of ESG investments.
Under a new proposal from the Post Office, the cost of a First Class stamp would rise to $.68 from $.66. The price was increased from $.63 to $.66 in July. Last January, the price rose from $.60 to $.63. If the new plan is accepted, First Class mail prices will rise 13% over the period.
Posted on October 8, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer print or issue COVID-19 vaccination cards, the agency said in guidance updated this week. The agency also said it does not maintain vaccination records. According to the CDC, your state health department immunization information system can provide you a digital or paper copy of your full vaccination record, including your COVID-19 vaccinations, but cannot issue you a new vaccination card.
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The more than 6 million-barrel weekly rise in U.S. gasoline supplies reported by the Energy Information Administration wasn’t just a surprise, but the strongest sign yet that prices for oil and its products have reached the breaking point for consumers.
Posted on October 7, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended this week:
The S&P 500 Index rose 50 points (1.2%) to 4,308.52 and gained 0.5% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 288 points (0.87%) at 33,407.58 but was down 0.3% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was up 211 points (1.6%) at 13,431.34 and gained 1.6% for the week.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up eight basis points at 4.788%.
CBOEs Volatility Index (VIX) fell one point to 17.47.
Energy shares were among the market’s strongest sectors behind a rebound in crude oil futures, though oil prices still ended down more than 8% for the week. Technology and industrial stocks were also strong.
Small-caps joined the upswing as the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) gained over 1% Friday but still ended the week with a loss of nearly 2%.
Posted on October 6, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Citigroupannounced a major reorganization aimed at eliminating unnecessary management layers. It will involve layoffs, but the bank didn’t say how many.
One day after the CDC recommended that everyone above six months old get the new Covid booster,Moderna stock shot up. But it was mostly because the company showed it’s got a future beyond the virus with encouraging flu-shot trial results.
Elon Muskcalled for a regulator to ensure that AI development proceeds safely following a closed-door meeting with US lawmakers that also included Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg—which was probably an awkward run-in for Musk.
Posted on October 5, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended Thursday:
The S&P 500® Index (SPX) was down 5.56 points (0.1.%) at 4,258.19; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 9.98 points at 33,119.57; the ASDAQ Composite (COMP)was down 16.18 points (0.1%) at 13,219.83.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 2 basis points at 4.716%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.14 at 18.44.
Consumer staples and retail shares were among the market’s weakest sectors Thursday. Energy shares were also under pressure as WTI crude oil futures extended a sharp selloff, sinking more than 2% to a five-week low. Since topping $95 a week ago, oil futures have tumbled 13% amid concerns that global demand may slow.
Financial stocks were among the strongest performers, with the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) gaining more than 2%.
Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
***
***
But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
Channel Surfing the ME-P
Have you visited our other topic channels? Established to facilitate idea exchange and link our community together, the value of these topics is dependent upon your input. Please take a minute to visit. And, to prevent that annoying spam, we ask that you register. It is fast, free and secure.
Conclusion
Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.
***
***
Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:
Posted on October 4, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
President Joe Biden announced yesterday that the manufacturers of all of the first 10 prescription drugs selected for Medicare’s first price negotiations have agreed to participate, clearing the way for talks that could lower their costs in coming years and give him a potential political win heading into next year’s election.
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Wall Street SANK Tuesday as it focuses on the downside of a surprisingly strong job market.The S&P 500 was 1.5% lower in late trading and nearly back to where it was in May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 475 points, or 1.4%, at 32,957 and wiped out the last of its gains made for the year so far. The NASDAQ composite was leading the market lower with a 2% drop as Big Tech stocks were among the market’s biggest losers.
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The 16-year high on 10-year yields is probably the biggest factor weighing on equities. So, here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 58.94 points (1.4%) at 4,229.45; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 430.97 points (1.3%) at 33,002.38; the NASDAQ Composite was down 248.31 points (1.9%) at 13,059.47.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 11 basis points at 4.791%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index was up 2.17 at 19.78.
Energy shares were among the few gainers, as WTI crude oil futures rose for the first time in four sessions after dropping sharply from a 13-month high above $95 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index (DXY) strengthened for a third-straight day, touching its highest level since November, reflecting expectations that rates will remain high.
Posted on October 3, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Thecost of oil continues on an upward trend, and Americans are seeing yet another increase in the average cost to fill up at the gasoline pump. The average cost across the nation is up twenty cents per gallon year-over-year, at around $3.88 as of yesterday’s data release.
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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said Monday that unfair tactics used by Google led to its dominance as a search engine, tactics that in turn have thwarted his company’s rival program, Bing.
Nadella testified in packed Washington, D.C., courtroom as part of the government’s landmark antitrust trial against Google’s parent company, Alphabet. The Justice Department alleges Google has abused the dominance of its ubiquitous search engine to throttle competition and innovation at the expense of consumers, allegations that echo a similar case brought against Microsoft in the late 1990s.
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index ® (SPX) was up 0.34 point at 4,288.39; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 74.15 points (0.2%) at 33,433.35; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 88.45 points (0.7%) at 13,307.77.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up about 12 basis points at 4.691%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.07 at 17.59.
Energy stocks were among the market’s weakest performers as crude oil futures dropped for a third-consecutive session to $90 a barrel. Financial shares were also lower, with the KBW Regional Bank Index (KRX) dropping more than 2% to a three-month low. Technology shares were among the few areas of strength.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) strengthened to a 10-month high thanks to expectations that interest rates are likely to remain high for some time.
As a new physician investor, it’s important to know the distinctions between like measurements because the market allows firms to advertise their numbers in ways not otherwise regulated. Often companies will publicize their numbers using either GAAP or non-GAAP measures. GAAP, or generally accepted accounting principles, outlines rules and conventions for reporting financial information. It is a means to standardize financial statements and ensure consistency in reporting.
When a company publicizes its earnings and includes non-GAAP figures, it means it wants to provide investors with an arguably more accurate depiction of the company’s health (for instance, by removing one-time items to smooth out earnings). However, the further a company deviates from GAAP standards, the more room is allocated for some creative accounting and manipulation.
When looking at a company that is publishing non-GAAP numbers, new physician investors should be wary of these pro forma statements, because they may differ greatly from what GAAP deems acceptable.
GAAP is set forth in 10 primary principles, as follows:
Principle of consistency: This principle ensures that consistent standards are followed in financial reporting from period to period.
Principle of permanent methods: Closely related to the previous principle is that of consistent procedures and practices being applied in accounting and financial reporting to allow comparison.
Principle of non-compensation: This principle states that all aspects of an organization’s performance, whether positive or negative, are to be reported. In other words, it should not compensate (offset) a debt with an asset.
Principle of prudence: All reporting of financial data is to be factual, reasonable, and not speculative.
Principle of regularity: This principle means that all accountants are to consistently abide by the GAAP.
Principle of sincerity: Accountants should perform and report with basic honesty and accuracy.
Principle of good faith: Similar to the previous principle, this principle asserts that anyone involved in financial reporting is expected to be acting honestly and in good faith.
Principle of materiality: All financial reporting should clearly disclose the organization’s genuine financial position.
Principle of continuity: This principle states that all asset valuations in financial reporting are based on the assumption that the business or other entity will continue to operate going forward.
Principle of periodicity: This principle refers to entities abiding by commonly accepted financial reporting periods, such as quarterly or annually.
Posted on October 2, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
The stock markets ended Q3 last week with a whimper despite new data showing that the Fed’s favorite CPI inflation measure cooled in August. September was the worst month of the year for the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ. But Blue Apron soared on the news that it’s being bought by Wonder Group, a food delivery startup helmed by a former Walmart exec.
America’s debt today stands at $33 trillion, a figure some politicians, finance mavens and everyday citizens find astonishingly high.
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Carmot Therapeutics, which is developing drugs for diabetes and weight-loss, is reportedly mulling an IPO or possible sale to a large pharmaceutical company at a valuation of at least $1B. The biotech company has two injectable GLP-1 drug candidates in Phase 2 development for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, according to the company’s website.
Carmot enlisted JP Morgan and Bank of America as underwriters on an IPO, which could come as early as this year if market conditions are favorable. The company has also received “takeover interest” from large drug makers at a valuation of over $1B, according to a Bloomberg report. Carmot had a post-money valuation of $1.25B following a $150M funding round in May, Bloomberg added.
DEFINITION: An initial public offering (IPO) or stock launch is a public offering in which shares of a company are sold to institutional investors and usually also to retail (individual) investors An IPO is typically underwritten by one or more investment banks who also arrange for the shares to be listed on one or more stock exchanges. Through this process, colloquially known as floating, or going public, a privately held company is transformed into a public company. Initial public offerings can be used to raise new equity capital for companies, to monetize the investments of private shareholders such as company founders or private equity investors, and to enable easy trading of existing holdings or future capital raising by becoming publicly traded.
After the IPO, shares are traded freely in the open market at what is known as the free float. Stock exchanges stipulate a minimum free float both in absolute terms (the total value as determined by the share price multiplied by the number of shares sold to the public) and as a proportion of the total share capital (i.e., the number of shares sold to the public divided by the total shares outstanding). Although IPO offers many benefits, there are also significant costs involved, chiefly those associated with the process such as banking and legal fees, and the ongoing requirement to disclose important and sometimes sensitive information.
Cite: Wikipedia
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Now, the NYSE is the world’s largest stock exchange, and for good reason. From thrilling new entries into the public market to a relentless commitment to transformative tech, the NYSE is constantly upping their game.
Posted on October 1, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The SEC’s new cybersecurity regulations went into effect last week. Most companies are “largely ready” to comply, Matt Gorham, senior managing director and leader of PwC’s Cyber & Privacy InnovationInstitute, told CFO Brew, “but that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to do.”
As their companies’ finance leaders, CFOs are instrumental in determining whether a cybersecurity incident is material, but they have other roles to play as well. Gorham shared his advice for how CFOs can help their organizations comply with the new regs. Now, aAs a reminder, the regulations consist of what Gorham refers to as three “buckets.” Companies that file with the SEC are required to:
Declare any material cybersecurity incidents to the SEC on Item 1.05 of Form 8-K within four business days of determining materiality
Disclose information about their cyber risk management and strategy on a new section of the 10-K called Item 1C
Disclose information about their boards’ and management’s role in overseeing cybersecurity risk
The first two “buckets,” Gorham said, will likely require the most work to comply with.
Posted on October 1, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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CPI: Here’s a breakdown of how different aisles and departments rose over the past 12 months:
Cereals and bakery: increase 6%
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs: unchanged
Remaining products (ranging from dairy to beverages): increase 0.3% to 4.8%
Food in general is up 4.3%
Food away from home: increase 6.8%
Used cars and trucks fell 1.2% year-over-year, but new cars and trucks rose 0.3%. Those may not seem like much, but a new car still costs an average of more than $48,000 — as of May 2023 only three models were available in the U.S. market for $20,000 or less.
Transportation similarly rose 10.3% over the same period but shelter, which rose 7.3%, “was the largest factor in the monthly increase in the index for all items less food and energy,” according to the August CPI.
Not to put a damper on your Sunday morning (the relentless rain is already doing that to the North East USA), but the government still appears headed for a shutdown. Among the immediate impacts: Many federal employees will be furloughed, the IRS will stop picking up your calls, you won’t be able to get married in DC courts, and most national parks—and their social media handles—will go dark.
And even more rain as New York City was hit with its heaviest rain in decades, which flooded roads and subway stations and delayed air travel. Both the mayor and New York’s governor declared states of emergency as images of the waterlogged city filled social media.
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It appears that Mark Zuckerberg’s new “Threads” social media platform is struggling with a massive decline. The social media platform called “Threads” was launched by Facebook (now called Meta). The platform is essentially a clone of Elon Musk’s Twitter, which is now called X. Threads struggling to maintain momentum and gain new users.
Among major social platforms, Threads is reportedly only ahead of Tumblr in the race for user acquisition. Forecasts by Insider Intelligence predict a U.S. user base of 23.7 million for Threads in 2023. The company reportedly anticipated 56.1 million U.S. users. In comparison, X has roughly 528.3 million monthly users.
Posted on September 30, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Here is where the major benchmarks ended today:
The S&P 500 Index was down 11.65 points (0.3%) at 4,288.05, down 0.7% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down 158.84 points (0.5%) at 33,507.50, down 1.3% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 18.05 points (0.1%) at 13,219.32, up slightly for the week but down 5.8% for the month.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 1 basis point at 4.583%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.18 at 17.52.
Energy stocks were among the market’s weakest performers as crude oil futures extended a pullback from a rally earlier in the week that sent prices to 13-month highs above $93 a barrel.
Health care and financial sectors were also soft. Regional banks, retailers, and consumer discretionary shares were among the strongest performers.
Posted on September 29, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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The Stock Markets are bouncing back after days of pronounced volatility, aided by the slowdown in Treasury yields and Thursday’s dip in the value of the dollar. Newly released data confirmed that U.S. economic growth was at an annualized rate of 2.1% in Q2, while initial jobless claims have held near their over-eight-month low, defying expectations of a more significant increase.
The surge in risk appetite is fueling solid gains in tech stocks and Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) during the trading sessions. The cryptocurrency has gained 2.9% by midday, marking its strongest session in September.
The S&P 500 Index was up 25.19 points (0.6%) at 4,299.70; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 116.07 points (0.4%) at 33,666.34; the NASDAQ Composite was up 108.43 points (0.8%) at 13,201.28.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 5 basis points at 4.577%.
CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.88 at 17.34.
Crude oil futures,meanwhile, retreated from 13-month highs to fall more than 2% to less than $92 a barrel.
Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
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But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
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Posted on September 28, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Consulting firm McKinsey & Co has agreed to pay $230 million to resolve lawsuits by hundreds of U.S. local governments and school districts alleging it fueled an epidemic of opioid addiction through its work for bankrupt OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and other drug companies.
The S&P 500 Index was up about 1 point (0.02%) at 4,274.51; the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 69 points (0.20%) to 33,550.27; the NASDAQ gained 29 points (0.22%) to 13,092.85.
The 10-year Treasury note yield was up 7 basis points at 4.613%.
CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) fell half a point to 18.42.
Energy stocks were among the best performers Wednesday, with the S&P 500 Energy Sector rising 2.5%. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY), which has been rising since July as investors digested the likelihood of “higher-for-longer” interest rates, remained at its highest level so far this year.
Posted on September 27, 2023 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™
By Staff Reporters
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Instacart shares recently fell below its $30 IPO price.
After FTX crashed, the world of crypto seemed to belong to the largest exchange, Binance. Less than a year later, Binance is the one in distress. Under threat of enforcement actions by U.S. agencies, Binance’s empire is quaking. Over the past three months, more than a dozen senior executives have left, and the exchange has laid off at least 1,500 employees this year to cut costs and prepare for a decline in business. And while Binance still looms large in crypto, its dominance is dwindling.
Here is where the major benchmarks ended:
The S&P 500 Index was down 63.91 points (1.5%) at 4,273.53; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down 388.00 points (1.1%) at 33,618.88; the NASDAQ Composite was down 207.71 points (1.6%) at 13,063.61.
The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 1 basis point at 4.548%.
CBOEs Volatility Index (VIX) was up 1.98 at 18.89.
Utilities were the weakest sector Tuesday. The Philadelphia Utility Index (UTY) dropped almost 3% to near a 12-month low. Utility stocks, traditionally favored by some investors because of their relatively high dividend yields, have fallen out of favor as bond yields surged this year. Consumer discretionary shares were also down sharply, perhaps reflecting concern that a slowing economy will prompt consumers to cut back on big-ticket purchases.
The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) extended a nearly three-month rally and touched a 10-month high. Volatility based on the VIX hit a four-month high.
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Finally, Moody’s, the only major credit rating agency that still gives the US government a triple-A rating, warned that a federal government shutdown would negatively impact the country’s credit.
There are only three possibilities if you want to go into practice for yourself; buy a practice; franchise a business, or start one. However, if you have an existing practice, merging it to form a larger entity can be a satisfying experience. The pace of practice mergers is accelerating, but it is often difficult to make an informed judgment about synergy. Mergers make sense only if the resulting value is more than additive to the original; not duplicative.
Unfortunately, far too many mergers fail to create, or actually destroy existing value. So, look for complimentary processes, personalities and ideas. In a merger of two existing practices, there is no substitute for personal interaction between employees and physician-management. This creates cross-pollination and new ideas in everything from service-lines and the patient production process, to marketing and finance, and to proprietary and intellectual rights. Most importantly, it allows diversity of ideas.
And so, the following are questions to consider when contemplating a medical practice merger:
What are the risks of this transaction and how are they mitigated? Will talented employees be retained on both sides and can an exodus be prevented? Are the specific liabilities of each practice known? Remember, the farther outside your area of specialty or expertise, the greater the risk of being wrong. Will I appraise each practice independently, and correctly? Where will employee allegiance rest? What is the name, and logo, of the new entity? Who will be the CEO?
Did you know that desperate doctors of all ages are turning to knowledgeable financial advisors and medical management consultants for help? Symbiotically too, generalist advisors are finding that the mutual need for knowledge and extreme niche synergy is obvious.
***
***
But, there was no established curriculum or educational program; no corpus of knowledge or codifying terms-of-art; no academic gravitas or fiduciary accountability; and certainly no identifying professional designation that demonstrated integrated subject matter expertise for the increasingly unique healthcare focused financial advisory niche … Until Now!
So, if you are looking to supplement your knowledge, income and designations; and find other qualified professionals you may want to consider the CMP® program.
Enter the Certified Medical Planner™ charter professional designation. And, CMPs™ are FIDUCIARIES, 24/7.
Channel Surfing the ME-P
Have you visited our other topic channels? Established to facilitate idea exchange and link our community together, the value of these topics is dependent upon your input. Please take a minute to visit. And, to prevent that annoying spam, we ask that you register. It is fast, free and secure.
Conclusion
Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.
***
***
Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com
OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES: