Greetings!
On Saturday October 22nd, families from as far away as Alabama and Idaho converged on Denver's North High School for the Second Annual Denver Financial Planning Day. Over 50 Financial Planners answered money questions, providing guidance to families looking to buy a home, balance their debt, and to get a second opinion on their saving and investment plans. A & I Financial Services is proud to have helped speerhead the effort. As a Board member for the Colorado Financial Planning Association, Karl Frank led the way, coordinating over 50 volunteers for this city-wide event. This is the first year that Financial Planning Day offered information in Spanish and English, and North High School was the perfect location to reach a diverse audience. With over 90% of the students receiving free or reduced cost lunches, and a drop-out rate that (although improving) is among the highest in Denver Public Schools, North High puts a face on the heart of some of our most pressing economic problems. Many folks from the neighborhood, who came with baby strollers, were couples looking for help with college savings. "I helped over 20 people today," says Katy Powell, volunteer with College Invest. "We offer a matching dollar-for-dollar grant that many people don't know about." Another plus for attendees who spoke English as their second language, the college planners had practical up-to-date advice! The cafeteria at North High was filled with Certified Financial Planners, Financial Planning Association Members, and college counselors, housing counselors and credit counselors from Community Credit Counseling Service who were all ready to offer free advice to those seeking help. Three presenters in separate classrooms offered hour-long educational workshops on budgeting, credit and financial planning. Many of those attending then used that information to meet with a financial planner in a one-on-one session to pull it all together. One attendee jubilantly said, "I came last year and I'll come again next year. The advice is great and helps me sleep at night." |
| Weekly Economic Update | |
ANNUALIZED INFLATION HITS 3.9% So noted the Bureau of Labor Statistics last week. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% during the month of September, with core CPI rising 0.1%, the smallest such increase in six months. (Annualized core consumer inflation was at 2.0%.) The Producer Price Index climbed 0.8% for September after a flat August.(1)
HOMEBUYING TAPERS OFF IN SEPTEMBER
Existing home sales decreased by 3.0% last month, according to the National Association of Realtors. At this rate, about 4.91 million previously occupied homes will be sold in 2011, matching the total for 2010. In a normal year, about 6 million residential resales occur in the real estate sector.(2)
HOUSING STARTS UP 15%
Here's a good sign for residential real estate: a sign of demand. Most of the 15.0% monthly increase in September came from apartment construction; the Commerce Department reported a 53% monthly jump in that category. Single-family construction improved by 1.7%. Overall, there were 658,000 housing starts last month, the best number in any month since April 2010.(3)
DOW EXTENDS WINNING STREAK
Wall Street rallied Friday on the eve of the crucial summit meeting to address the Eurozone debt crisis, helped by news that a new aid package for Greece had been approved by EU finance ministers. The DJIA gained ground for the fourth week in a row; the S&P 500 also advanced. The weekly numbers: S&P 500, +1.12% to 1,238.25; DJIA, +1.41% to 11,808.79; NASDAQ, -1.14% to 2,637.46.(4,5) |
| Trust Company of America Announcement | |
Trust Company of America announces a new web site with new, easier-to-understand graphics and features. I think you will appreciate it. They did research with advisors like us and clients like you to find out how to improve, and they've done a great job. Here is a short video explaining the new software, codenamed "Liberty." Check it out! (6)
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| Market Summary |
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% Change |
Y-T-D |
1Yr Chg |
5-Year Avg | |
DJIA |
+2.00 |
+5.94 |
-0.32 | |
NASDAQ |
-0.58 |
+7.23 |
+2.52 | |
S&P 500 |
-1.54 |
+4.91 |
-1.90 |
(Source: cnbc.com, bigcharts.com, treasury.gov, treasurydirect.gov - 10/21/11). Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged, and investors cannot invest in them directly. |
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Create a beautiful week!
Karl Frank, MBA, MSF
Certified Financial Planner (R)
A & I Financial Services LLC
303.690.5070
Citations:
(1) - nytimes.com/2011/10/20/business/economy/us-consumer-inflation-subdued-housing-starts-up.html [10/19/11]
(2) - ajc.com/business/sales-of-previously-occupied-1206303.html [10/20/11]
(3) - thestreet.com/story/11283665/1/raise-the-roof-housing-starts-up-15-in-september.html [10/20/11]
(4) - montoyaregistry.com/Financial-Market.aspx?financial-market=an-introduction-to-the-stock-market&category=29 [10/21/11]
(5) - cnbc.com/id/44988273 [10/21/11]
(6) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y031CrTZBAo
(7) http://www.kdvr.com/videobeta/fadc8217-7011-4c5b
-91dc-1a7232e50b7e/News/Financial-Planning-Day
This material has been prepared and is distributed solely for information purposes only. It is not a solicitation or an offer buy any securities or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy. There is no assurance that a particular trading strategy will achieve investment success.
Securities offered through Geneos Wealth Management, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through A & I Financial Services LLC, registered investment advisor.
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 | | Save the Date! | |
A&I's annual Holiday Party will be held on Friday December 2nd. Please watch for your invitation! |
| Words for Thought |
"Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius." Fulton J. Sheen |
| Watch Karl Frank's interview on MoneyLine9 9NEWS on May 9, 2011 | |
Click Here
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| Watch Karl Frank on Channel 9 News & Read his article "Where to Invest in Times of Turmoil" | |
Click Here
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| Read about us in the Denver Post | |
Karl Frank & Cameron Morgan were featured in the Denver Post. They talked about how to have a happy holiday while sticking to a budget.
Click here to read the article. |
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Riddle of the Week |
I am in the center of gravity, and part of every victory. I am clearly seen in the midst of a river. I could name three who are in love with me and have three associates in vice. What am I?
Last week's riddle:
Trains travel from one town to another town all day, always on the same track, always going nonstop and at the same speed. The noon train took 80 minutes to complete the trip, but the 4 PM train took an hour and 20 minutes. Why?
Last week's answer:
80 minutes is the same as an hour and 20 minutes
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