Popular Stock Symbols 2024
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DIA - Dow 30
SPY - S&P 500
QQQ - NASDAQ 100
GBTC - Bitcoin
GLD - Gold
AMD
AMZN
GOOG
META
MSFT
NVDA
PLTR
SOUN
TSM -
Expectations in 2025?
My expectations for this year will be markets full of volatility, however, by the end of 2025, the markets will be higher from where they ended in 2024. Both 2023 & 2024 were very good to the S&P 500 Index, a third year of 20+% gains is unlikely.This growth will continue with Large Cap Tech Stocks leading the way, and all signs are showing they will continue to do so.
I also think money will periodically leave the Tech sector and move to Large Cap Value stocks, stocks such as Boeing, Target, Nike & UPS, stocks that have strong consumer brands and have stumbled throughout 2024.
I do not see Health Care stocks doing well in 2025, with RFK Jr. and President Trump talking about getting rid of the Middle Man in Health Care, and to eliminate Pharmaceutical companies from running ads on TV, this sector will be one of the prime targets for DOGE to eliminate US Govt. costs.
Health Care is an area where reducing costs could help what DOGE is trying to accomplish, reducing Medicare Costs, and getting the US Govt. spending under control.
Reducing Drug Costs for Medicare would be an excellent way to reduce costs while not cutting tens of thousands of jobs in a very short period of time.
If that did end up happening, it certainly would impact the consumer spending numbers and impact the economy, not something the Trump administration is looking to hurt.
In 2025, the volatility will come from Mediocre Economic Data causing markets to rise with anticipation Federal Reserve will keep cutting rates as they did throughout 2024, followed by Mediocre Earnings Announcements with Lowered Forward Guidance by companies, causing the market declines.
When companies announce they are Lowering Future Expectations, that generally means their stock price drops.
Stocks are forward pricing, and Lowering Future Expectations tells investors to reduce expectations for accelerated growth rates enjoyed in the past, which most likely pushed the stock price higher.
My Greatest Concern for 2025
I am watching the 10 year Treasury yield to see if it reaches or exceeds 5%. If that even does happen, the Stock Market could see a healthy decline, as we have seen a couple times in the past couple years.
In 2025, there are Trillions of dollars in US Debt needing refinancing, and the new rate will be much higher than in recent years.
These US Debt concerns could weigh heavily on the Stock Market in 2025, however, I am still predicting the Stock market will be higher at the end of 2025 than it was at the end of 2024.
So, WHAT DO I DO YOU ASK, keep investing in Pre-Tax accounts, especially if you are in a 30%-40% Tax Bracket, like 401Ks, Solo 401Ks, SEP & Simple IRAs, sit in Cash / Money Market Funds & collect your 4.25%+ yield, and Very Slowly Buy Stocks Fitting Within Your Risk Profile on market declines.
Negative Markets create Opportunity, although at the time, it seems very uncomfortable to Buy!
If you are looking to Earn Additional Income from your portfolio this year, look into a strategy called "Selling Covered Call Options".
This strategy can be a great source used to create Income from Stocks you already own.
For Stock ideas, Contact Me and I Will Evaluate Your Risk Profile.
- 401K & Solo 401K / IRA / Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025
If you are under the age of 50, max contribution is $7,000 & if over 50 it's $8,000 for your IRA & Roth IRA.Your 401K limit is $23,700 if under 50, $31,000 if over 50 years old.
For individual business owners, Solo 401K contributions in 2024 increased to $70,000 or $77,500 if age 50 or over.
Solo 401K contributions are based net- income from Self-Employment (i.e. you can't contribute more than you make).
- How Much Should I Pay my Financial Advisor or Portfolio Manager?
The fees you will pay a Financial Advisor generally depend on how much money you are asking the Advisor to manage & whether part of those investment dollars include your 401K.Try to avoid dealing with Financial Sales People who only want to charge you Commissions or try and Sell you A-share Mutual Funds.
Independent Financial Management, LLC
IFM Can Help You Achieve Your Financial Goals & Now Offers FREE 30 Minute TelaMeeting Consultations & Monthly Financial TelaMeeting Workshops via Zoom!
We have helped clients get into & through retirement by providing essential investment & planning services including:
- Offering FREE Financial & Retirement Plans – analyzing Annual Contribution amounts, Annual Investment Returns, Social Security, Medicare, Estate Planning, Tax Efficiencies, Insurance Needs and more,
- Custom Portfolio Management – once we establish what annual investment return you need to meet your investment objectives, we proactively customize a portfolio for you,
- 401K Investment Guidance – we can help by analyzing your investment options and determining which funds are the best option based on your investment risk profile, Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually or Annually,
- Life Insurance & Long-Term Care Insurance Needs Analysis – we will show you how much insurance you need to help reduce chances your Financial Plan results become unrealistic, due to a medical or health related issue,
- Business Retirement Plans – if you operate a small business of any size, we can help set up a retirement plan through your business, allowing you to set aside pre-tax contributions and reduce your taxable income,
- NOT Selling Commission Based Investment Products – we do not offer commission based stock trades or sell A, B or C share mutual funds, which force you to pay upfront or back-ended commissions, annual trailer fees & internal expense fees,
- Fiduciary Responsibilities – by always putting our clients’ interests first, offering a transparent annual fee to manage our clients’ investment accounts, allowing IFM to do better when our client’s do better.
About IFM
Independent Financial Management, LLC, or IFM, is now an Investment Advisor Representative or IAR firm, and was initially founded as a Registered Investment Advisor or RIA, in 2005 by James R. Wigen. Prior to starting IFM, James worked for two international investment firms, and started in the financial services business in 1996.
IFM is now one of 300 partners working for a Registered Investment Advisor firm or RIA, with headquarters in Tampa, FL. As of 1-1-2024, IFM & RIA partners manage over $12.5 billion in client assets.
IFM offers Custodial Services for holding client assets through Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments & Pershing, LLC.
Market Performance During Fed Funds Rate Increases & Decreases Since 1989
This is for educational purposes only and is Not Research or a Recommendation regarding any security or investment strategy. These Graphs & Charts Should Not Be Used Alone When Deciding What Stocks, Bonds, ETFs or Mutual Funds to Buy. Past Performance is NO Guarantee of Future Results.
Please Consult Your Financial Advisor Before Buying or Selling Any Investment Products.
James CAM, ChFM, CPM, CWM designations were issued by Global Academy of Finance and Management or GAFM®.
Investing involves serious risks and past performance is no guarantee of future performance or success. This is not an offer to buy or sell securities and nothing contained herein should be interpreted as a recommendation regarding any investment or investment strategy.
Before making any decision to invest, first read the relevant disclosures and important information provided to you.
Please take the proper risk for your current situation and get the advice from a financial professional who clearly understands your current & future goals and objectives.
Investments NOT FDIC INSURED * MAY LOSE VALUE * NO BANK GUARANTEE
All opinions expressed by James R. Wigen on this website are solely his opinions and do not reflect the opinions of IFP Advisors, LLC, dba Independent Financial Partners, (IFP). Investment Advice offered through IFP Advisors, LLC, dba Independent Financial Partners (IFP), a Registered Investment Adviser. IFP and Independent Financial Management, LLC (IFM), are separate entities.
