Economic Trends 2026: What’s Going On with the U.S. Economy?

The U.S. economy is riding a wave of AI investments, expansive fiscal policy, and a shift in monetary policy that’s carrying markets forward. But for how long? Our 2026 market outlook examines the forces shaping both challenges and resilience in economic trends for the coming year.

Talking to Your Financial Advisor During Market Volatility

When market volatility occurs, it’s completely natural to feel anxious about your finances. This is an uncomfortable time for all investors, seasoned and new.   It’s important to remember that market volatility is nothing new. If you’re working with a financial advisor, your financial plan …

Market Commentary: January Off to a Good Start as the Rally Broadens Out

The story so far of 2026 has been all about rotation. The “Magnificent 7” stocks (Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, NVIDIA, and Tesla) have lagged the S&P 500 by a wide margin, but other areas and groups have taken the baton. The lifeblood of a bull market is rotation, and we fi …

Your Money

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Talking to Your Financial Advisor During Market Volatility

When market volatility occurs, it’s completely natural to feel anxious about your finances. This is an uncomfortable time for all investors, seasoned and new.   It’s important to remember that market volatility is nothing new. If you’re working with a financial advisor, your financial plan …

Advanced High Net Worth Insurance Strategies: Beyond Standard Coverage

If you have substantial resources and multiple valuable assets, you may need advanced high net worth insurance strategies to properly protect your wealth. Standard policies are helpful to a point, but they may not provide the level of coverage or tax benefits you’re looking for or cover all …

Alternative Investments: How Private Equity and Hedge Funds Can Fit into Your Portfolio

Alternative investments are any investments other than traditional stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents. Ultra high net worth investors may choose to utilize these instruments to strengthen the diversity of their portfolios, potentially gaining more opportunities for growth and improved risk …

2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Tackle 2026 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss any key deadlines.

Your Business

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3 Things All Valuable Businesses Have

Building a business that’s truly valuable takes more than hard work and good timing. It’s about creating something that can thrive, adapt, and grow—with or without you at the helm.  Whether you’re planning for a future sale or succession or simply want to build long-term value, it’s importa …

Is Your Business Worth as Much as You Think?

As a business owner, you already know your company has value. It supports your lifestyle, pays your employees, and provides products or services your clients rely on. But here’s the big question: If someone asked you today what your business is worth, could you give them a confident answer? …

4 Unforeseen Third-Party Sales Challenges for Small Business Owners

Many business owners assume their exit path will be a sale to a third party. In fact, some entrepreneurs start their businesses with the goal of finding a larger buyer, selling the business, and moving on to their next business idea. A cash sale can definitely draw business owners toward th …

Business Succession Planning Checklist

Business Succession Planning Checklist

You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.

Your Retirement

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The Basics of Required Minimum Distributions With Your Retirement Account

Many retirement accounts—including 401(k)s and IRAs—give individuals the ability to save for retirement in a potentially tax-advantaged manner. Contributions are often tax-deductible, and gains are tax-deferred. This means your retirement funds can grow without being taxed until you start w …

How to Set Up a 401(k): A Step-by-Step Guide for Long-Term Success

As a source of retirement income, the 401(k) is second in popularity only to Social Security, and it has the potential to generate strong returns. In fact, nearly 10% of American adults qualify as millionaires largely due to their retirement savings.[1] But here’s the catch: With rising cos …

5 Signs It’s Time to Ditch DIY Retirement Planning

It’s tempting to think of retirement planning as the ultimate do-it-yourself project. After all, you’ve probably already started your journey by enrolling in an employer-provided 401(k) or setting up an individual retirement plan account. At some point, though, it’s a good idea to ditch the …

Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement

Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement

Health care costs in retirement aren't going anywhere. Naturally, as our bodies get older, it costs more to keep them running. Let's look at the parts of this vital program and how it plays a part in your financial plan.

Your Legacy

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What Does an Executor of an Estate Do?

Planning for the future isn’t just about creating a will or setting up a trust (though that’s a good start). It can also be about helping to ensure a trusted individual carries out your wishes once you’re gone. This person, known as the executor of the estate, plays a critical role in manag …

Is a Donor-Advised Fund for Charitable Giving a Good Fit?

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that can play a valuable role in a charitable giving strategy—popular for its tax efficiency, flexibility, and simplicity. This resource can help you determine if a DAF could be worth considering as a useful addition to your overall …

Charitable Giving Strategies in a High-Income Year

The end of the year offers an ideal opportunity to look both forward and backward—reflecting on recent achievements while setting goals for the upcoming months. For many people, it’s also a time to review their finances and identify charitable moves that can help lower their tax bill.  If y …

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.

Your Freedom

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Compounding Wealth (and Wisdom): The Power of Compound Interest

No single strategy works forever, but you also don’t want to change your approach every time the markets shift slightly. How does investing work – not just for a season or a year or two, but for a lifetime? Time is a major factor when it comes to successful investing.

How to Make Charitable Giving Part of Your Financial Plan

COVID-19 caused an economic shockwave that we’ll feel for a long time. Nonprofits, from large global networks to the local churches, have been hit hard, too. In a recent survey of 110 nonprofits, 80% of them said revenue had fallen across the board.

7 Economic Myths Busted

By Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist We’ve been hearing many of the same myths over and over, yet we don’t think they are the big worry that the media and many make them out to be. These are legitimate concerns and have many investors worried, but we think the chances of them becoming l …

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?

Market & Investments

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Economic Trends 2026: What’s Going On with the U.S. Economy?

The U.S. economy is riding a wave of AI investments, expansive fiscal policy, and a shift in monetary policy that’s carrying markets forward. But for how long? Our 2026 market outlook examines the forces shaping both challenges and resilience in economic trends for the coming year.

Market Commentary: January Off to a Good Start as the Rally Broadens Out

The story so far of 2026 has been all about rotation. The “Magnificent 7” stocks (Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, NVIDIA, and Tesla) have lagged the S&P 500 by a wide margin, but other areas and groups have taken the baton. The lifeblood of a bull market is rotation, and we fi …

Inside the AI Boom: What You Should Know in 2026

Among the many shifts in 2025, few were as striking as the speed and scale of artificial intelligence development. It was only about three years ago that OpenAI released ChatGPT to the public, yet the AI boom is already reshaping markets. While past investment waves, such as the internet bo …

Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave

Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave

Our Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave is geared toward helping investors navigate the ongoing bull market as we enter the new year. Carson Investment Research provides crucial insights and analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing investors.

In the News

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Carson Wealth Expands Montana Presence with the Addition of True North Financial

Carson Wealth announced the expansion of its Montana presence through a strategic partnership with Billings-based True North Financial, now known as Carson Wealth | True North Financial. This collaboration establishes Carson’s second Billings location. The six-person team, led by mana …

Carson Wealth Expands Presence in Three States

Carson Wealth today announced its acquisition of three Carson Wealth locations in Hagerstown, Maryland, Atlanta, Georgia and Johnson City, Tennessee. The move expands Carson Wealth’s footprint in the East, strengthening the firm’s position in the wealth management market. Led by …

Congratulations to Our 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors  

Carson Wealth announced that four of the firm’s wealth advisors were named to the Forbes 2024 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding financial advisors who have demonstrated excellence in their field and are committed to providing exceptional servi …