Editor’s note: This article was originally published by Proactive Advisor Magazine and is reprinted here with permission. Financial advisors greeted 2016 in a relatively upbeat mood—what are they thinking about now? Though we still have several important months to go, 2016 has already been a remarkable year on several fronts: The worst post–WW II start ever for the U.S. equity markets, followed later by multiple new all-time market highs. Geopolitical unrest around the world; increasingly bold and tragic terror-related attacks in both industrialized and emerging-market countries; and, of course, “Brexit.” A regulatory environment that has seen significant developments and one that promises to hold further change. An unprecedented U.S. presidential election cycle, with undoubtedly many more unexpected twists and turns. Within this environment, financial advisors have shared their viewpoints directly with Proactive Advisor Magazine and have also responded to numerous surveys conducted by leading financial institutions and the financial media. What exactly is on advisors’ minds? Here is a

You may be following the sporting events in Brazil as passionately as you follow market price development. Or perhaps you’re not a sports fan, and you’re only interested in the stock market? Either way, there is an exciting question about what effect big international sporting events have on share prices. The country that hosts the Olympic Games draws huge media attention, the domestic mood improves, and big investment projects are carried out. All of this can affect the stock market. The stock market in Brazil has increased in value The shares index in Brazil – where the summer Olympic Games were being held – have grown strongly in recent months. Is this a coincidence, or is it linked to the Olympics? To answer this question, let’s look at all of the big sporting events for which information is available. Do international sporting events influence the markets? Since the Olympics only take place once every four

Have you ever heard that oil and gold prices are related to the value of the U.S. Dollar?  One thing that is always pointed out in the news is that somehow there is a strong relationship between those markets.  It seems like these markets evoke an emotional response to a lot of people, so that’s why it’s in the news.  Obviously oil prices directly affect our pocket book because we pay for it at the gas pump.  Ironically we also protest when oil prices fall because we think the economy is slipping into a recession.  So it’s win-win for reporters to come up with stories about these markets to get our juices flowing. Big moves in the price of gold, oil, and the U.S. Dollar seem to mean different things to different people.   But somehow these markets are supposed to magically be related to each other.  Is this really true? If you

From left to right, local society leadership: Mathew Verdouw, CMT, CFTe, Carson Dahlberg, CMT, Clint Sorenson, CMT, CFA and Millissa Allen, CAIA. Mathew and Carson (along with Derek Hernquist) are the Charlotte MTA Chapter Chairs. Clint is the CFA Society NC President and Millissa is CAIA Managing Director of Business Development, Americas. Involved in the Financial Community Proudly sponsored by Optuma, the July 20 meeting of the Market Technicians Association Charlotte Chapter proved to be a highly successful event. The night was co-hosted with the CFA Society NC and CAIA, at the sophisticated Ritz-Carlton, in the heart of vibrant uptown Charlotte, NC. Our esteemed speaker was David Keller, CMT, Managing Director of Research for Fidelity Investments. Five Lessons from the Fidelity Chart Room – David Keller, CMT David began his talk by highlighting Fidelity’s long history of using technical analysis, giving the attendees a glimpse of the coveted Fidelity chart room. The chart room