The Penn Valente Group at Baird

09/02/2026

Mike Antonelli shares a list of things he believes about the world.

08/31/2026

What should you look for in a personal finance app?

An increasing number have been developed to help individuals with their personal finances.

08/28/2026

52% of young adults still live with their parents. Here are five steps you can take to move out.

Here are five steps you can take to pursue your own independence.

08/27/2026

The bond market has been wild last couple of weeks.

Long-term Treasury yields had climbed above 5.25%, and the debate is over why. Some blame inflation fears, others point to massive government deficits, while another camp believes stronger economic growth and AI-driven capital spending are pushing rates higher as demand for capital increases.

While I admit that America absolutely has a long-term debt and deficit problem, the recent rise in yields doesn't necessarily signal a fiscal crisis. Instead, higher rates may be reflecting a combination of resilient growth, huge AI infrastructure investment, and a bond market demanding more compensation to lend money long term.

AV Bottom line: Higher yields are creating headwinds for housing and borrowing, but they may also be signaling a stronger economy rather than an impending collapse.

Time will tell.

08/26/2026

I have a lot friends who are realtors so this might hit close to home (no pun intended)....but the new home sales data from yesterday was eye opening.

Housing remains one of the weakest areas of the economy. New home sales fell more than 10% in July as higher mortgage rates and affordability challenges continue to keep buyers on the sidelines. The encouraging news is that builders have plenty of inventory and prices have come down from their 2022 peaks, with incentives helping move homes.

AV Bottom line: housing is still struggling, but improving affordability and rising inventory could provide some support if rates stabilize.

08/26/2026

Personal Income rose .4% in July.. my thoughts:

Consumer is hanging in there, but not thriving. Income growth came in better than expected, and spending is still rising, but after accounting for inflation, real consumer spending was essentially flat in July.

The bigger issue is inflation. The Fed's preferred measure (Core PCE) rose 0.2% in July and is now running at 3.3% year-over-year, well above the Fed's 2% target and actually higher than a year ago. At the same time, consumers are saving only 3.0% of disposable income, near historically low levels, which suggests spending may be getting supported by a shrinking financial cushion.

AV Bottom Line: The economy isn't rolling over, but it's not accelerating either. Consumers are still spending, incomes are still growing, and recession fears remain low. However, inflation remains stubborn, which likely keeps the Fed on pause and rates higher for longer, rather than opening the door to aggressive rate cuts.

08/26/2026

The headline 1.5% GDP growth looks soft, but the underlying economy was stronger than it appears. Consumer spending, business investment, and housing (the economists' "core GDP") grew at a robust 4.2% annualized pace, suggesting private-sector demand remains healthy.

The bigger story is that corporate profits surged 9.1% in Q2 and 22.8% year-over-year, the strongest growth in years, led by technology and energy companies. That's a positive signal for the economy, although stock valuations look rich.

The concern is inflation. GDP inflation was revised up to 6.4%, well above the Fed's 2% target. Even so, much of the inflation spike appears tied to energy shocks from the Iran/Hormuz disruption, so feels like the Fed to remain on hold rather than resume rate hikes immediately.

08/26/2026

Ready to retire? Prepare with these key questions for those ready to take the big step.

08/26/2026

The report was good enough to avoid alarm, but not good enough to declare victory. Inflation didn't come in hotter than expected, which should help calm markets, but at 3.3% core PCE the Fed is still a long way from its 2% target. The data supports a 'higher for longer' interest-rate environment rather than imminent rate cuts.

The personal consumption expenditures price index was expected to rise 0.1% monthly and 3.6% on a 12-month basis, according to economists surveyed by Dow Jones.

08/24/2026

Returning to work after a career break? Explore thoughtful ways to align your career, finances and personal priorities as you prepare to take the next step.

Coming back from a career break? It may seem overwhelming, but these simple tips can help.