The third quarter of 2017 was in many ways a tale of three markets for fixed income investors. When comparing the 10-year yield at the beginning of the quarter (2.35% on July 3, 2017) to the end of the quarter (2.33% on September 29, 2017), it doesn’t look like much changed. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth, as Figure 1 shows. Yields were moving higher when the third quarter began, as markets digested better than expected economic data and a hawkish tone from European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi. The 10-year yield was basically flat for July, before falling in August and recovering in September.

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A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits.

Determining when to take Social Security benefits is a complicated financial decision. Here are a few things to think about and discuss with your financial professional.

How long do you think you will live? If you have a family history that suggests you might live into your 90s, you may want to consider claiming Social Security later. If you start receiving Social Security benefits at or after full retirement age (FRA, which varies from age 66 to 67 for those born in 1943 or later), your monthly benefit will be larger than if you had claimed at 62.¹

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October 2017 ushers in shorter days and cooler weather, but the global bull market shows few signs of slowing down. The S&P 500 Index logged another gain last month, marking 6 consecutive monthly gains on a price basis and 11 in a row on a total return basis (including dividends). Incredibly, the S&P 500 has now finished green eight quarters in a row for only the fifth time ever. The global economy continues to expand, supporting the equity gains, but October is notorious for some of the largest moves in market history. Since 1950*, no month has sported more 1% daily changes than October. With earnings season starting, the initial thi

After years of diminished earnings ended in the third quarter of 2016, European companies have begun seeing sustained growth in their bottom lines. Ultimately, earnings drive stock prices, but the market is always trying to look forward; having strong earnings is not enough if the growth is fully priced in. That is the fundamental question with regard to stock market valuation — what are you paying for future earnings? Solid earnings in Europe are keeping price-to-earnings ratios (PE) static, while PEs on domestic stocks have been rising. This makes European equities increasingly attractive; however, currency remains a concern, as much