Jenny Plaugher, Author at PlanRock

Chocolate Is Getting Expensive – Commodity Overview
Weather and crop disease in geographic regions where cocoa beans grow, have hindered crops and stricken supply leading to elevated chocolate prices.Cocoa beans surpassed $9,000 per metric ton in March, the first time ...

Published On: April 10, 2024Categories: Economy
Macro Economic Overview – April 2024
A stronger then anticipated jobs report reduced chances of a Fed rate cut in June as projected by analysts. Strong labor dynamics tend to foster underlying inflation for longer periods of time, thus ...

Published On: April 9, 2024Categories: Economy
Market Indexes
April 2024 (all values as of 03.29.2024) Stock Indexes: Dow Jones 39,807 S&P 500 5,254 Nasdaq 16,379 Bond Sector Yields: 2 Yr Treasury 4.59% 10 Yr Treasury 4.20% 10 Yr Municipal 2.52% High ...

Published On: April 8, 2024Categories: Market Index Returns
Consumer Loans Are Falling – Consumer Finance Behavior
Outstanding loans among consumers have been falling since October 2022, reflecting a drop from auto loans to credit card balances. Such data can be viewed differently, either as a positive or negative result ...

Published On: March 18, 2024Categories: Consumer Behavior, Debt/Mortgage/Liabilities
Over 100 Million Are Not In The Workforce – Labor Market Dynamics
Department of Labor data released this past month reveal that over 100 million people are not in the workforce, either by desire or available for work. Data vary across all age groups and ...

Published On: March 15, 2024Categories: Economy
Macro Economic Overview
The Federal Reserve decided to leave rates unchanged in February, igniting concerns among the financial markets that interest rates may not fall as soon as many had expected. Larger than anticipated inflation data ...

Published On: March 14, 2024Categories: Economy
March 2024 Indexes
(all values as of 02.29.2024) Stock Indexes: Dow Jones 38,996 S&P 500 5,096 Nasdaq 16,091 Bond Sector Yields: 2 Yr Treasury 4.64% 10 Yr Treasury 4.25% 10 Yr Municipal 2.53% High Yield 7.63% ...

Published On: March 13, 2024Categories: Market Index Returns
Benefits Of A Trust Versus A Will – Estate Planning
A properly drafted will or trust is essential for anyone that has assets to leave to heirs. Either a will or a trust allows you to designate anyone you wish as beneficiaries. Both ...

Published On: February 21, 2024Categories: Financial Planning
Brief History of U.S. Freight Railroads – Historical Note
Since Cornelius Vanderbilt established the first railroads for commerce and shipping in the early 1860s, transportation has become more efficient and cost effective. By 1917, there were roughly 1,500 railroads in operation with ...

Published On: February 20, 2024Categories: Economy
World’s Largest Energy Consumers – Global Energy Demand
As China and other developing countries continue to grow their middle class and build new cities and roads, the demand for energy such as electricity, continues to increase enormously. China continues to build ...

Published On: February 19, 2024Categories: Economy

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