The biggest market update this week wasn't just what fell. It was what held its ground. As AI-related stocks faced their sharpest selling pressure of the year, other areas of the market moved in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, inflation accelerated, bonds rallied, and a major policy reversal in Washington added another layer to an already consequential October. The result? A striking shift in market leadership at a critical point in Q4. In this week's Market Recap & Outlook, Matthew Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group, examines the growing divide between growth and value stocks, and what investors should be watching as earnings season accelerates. 📊 → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #GoldstoneFinancialGroup #MarketRecap #MarketOutlook #InvestmentInsights #RetirementPlanning

Q3 2026 was a quarter of sharp contrasts. The S&P 500 gained 2.3%, but market leadership narrowed as small caps, mid caps, bonds and real estate came under pressure. Treasury yields climbed, the Federal Reserve raised rates for the first time since 2023, and renewed conflict in the Middle East pushed oil prices sharply higher. As Q4 begins, the picture is shifting again. Cooler inflation and weaker hiring data have changed expectations for the Fed, while energy prices, interest rates and concentrated equity leadership remain important factors to watch. In the latest Market Recap, Matthew Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group, examines what drove markets during the third quarter, what changed beneath the major indexes and the key developments he’s watching in the months ahead. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #GoldstoneFinancialGroup #Q32026 #Quarter3Market #MarketOutlook #Investing

There’s a whole team behind every Goldstone relationship. That means more people are asking questions, doing the research, sharing perspective and staying engaged in the details that matter to our clients. Justin Reppy and Frank Moorman are part of that collaborative culture, bringing a strong commitment to their work and to the people we serve. Because around here, planning has always been a team sport. #MeetOurTeam #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPlanning #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

The 10-year Treasury yield climbed above 5.2%, reaching its highest level since 2007, while the S&P 500 gained 1.2% for the week. At the same time, developments involving Iran, global oil flows and U.S.-China trade added more for markets to weigh heading into October. Matthew Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group, examines what’s driving these moves, what they could mean for investors and the key developments he’s watching next in this week’s Market Recap & Outlook. 📊 → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #MarketUpdate #Investing #RetirementPlanning #FinancialMarkets #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

Is your retirement plan built for what things could cost 10, 20 or even 30 years from now? 📈 Inflation can quietly change what your money buys throughout retirement. As everyday costs rise, the income strategy you start with may need to evolve along with them. Our featured blog deconstructs how inflation can affect purchasing power, retirement income, investments and withdrawals, and why planning for rising costs matters well beyond your retirement date. Your retirement plan shouldn’t only account for today’s expenses. It should consider how those expenses may change over time. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #RetirementPlanning #Inflation #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

Could one overlooked decision create a bigger problem in retirement? From Social Security timing and rising healthcare costs to taxes, investment risk and estate planning, small gaps can become more important once the regular paycheck stops. In our latest Ask an Advisor, Andrew Napoli, CFP®, Senior Financial Advisor at Goldstone Financial Group, shares 7 retirement planning mistakes Illinois residents should know about and why looking at your entire plan matters. Are there gaps in your retirement plan you can address now? → youtube.com/watch?v=AkRWV6wz… #RetirementPlanning #IllinoisRetirement #FinancialPlanning #AskAnAdvisor #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

The Fed made its move. Now comes the part that matters for investors. 📷 A few days removed from the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike since 2023, the initial market reaction is only part of the story. Rates are higher. Energy prices remain under pressure. And behind the scenes, a key workaround is helping keep oil moving despite continued disruption in the Gulf. In our latest Market Recap & Outlook, Matthew Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group, looks beyond the initial reaction at three developments that could continue shaping markets: • What the Fed’s 12–0 decision could mean for the path ahead • Why oil and fuel prices remain important to the inflation picture • The under-the-radar development helping keep crude flowing Swipe through for the three takeaways worth paying attention to. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #MarketOutlook #FederalReserve #Investing #RetirementPlanning #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

Inflation ran hot. Oil topped $100. And markets felt the pressure. 📉 It was a week where several major forces collided at once, from changing expectations for the Federal Reserve to escalating tensions around key global oil routes. So, what actually moved markets, and what deserves attention now? Swipe through for 3 of the biggest developments from the week, then read the full Market Recap & Outlook from Goldstone's Matt Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer. #MarketUpdate #Investing #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #GoldstoneFinancialGroup goldstonefinancialgroup.com/…

Illinois may be a better place to retire than you think. Despite its reputation as a high-tax state, Illinois offers some meaningful advantages for retirees, including no state income tax on Social Security benefits, pensions or qualified retirement account withdrawals. And depending on where you live, your housing situation and your sources of retirement income, staying in Illinois may make more financial sense than you expect. So, is Illinois a good place to retire? → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #IllinoisRetirement #RetirementPlanning #RetirementTaxes #FinancialPlanning #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

Markets are entering September with several major forces converging at once. AI capital spending remains strong. Fed expectations shifted after Jackson Hole. Geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz returned energy and inflation risk to the conversation. Meanwhile, the S&P 500’s 0.5% weekly gain masked considerably different performance beneath the surface. What do these developments mean when viewed together? Matthew Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group, connects the dots in the latest Weekly Market Recap, with a closer look at the market forces setting the stage for September. Read this week’s market outlook. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #MarketOutlook #InvestmentResearch #FederalReserve #Markets #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

Is your retirement plan bigger than your investment portfolio? Investments are important, but they’re only one piece of the retirement picture. Your income strategy, taxes, healthcare costs, risk management and legacy goals can all influence how your financial life works once the paycheck stops. And when those pieces are handled separately, one decision can have an unexpected impact somewhere else. A comprehensive retirement plan looks at how these moving parts work together, so your investments have a clear purpose within the bigger picture. In our latest blog, we break down why retirement planning goes beyond portfolio performance and what it means to take a more coordinated approach. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #RetirementStrategy #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

Kind words like these mean so much to our entire team. Retirement planning is personal, and we’re incredibly grateful to the clients who take the time to share their personalized and positive experiences. Curious what working with Goldstone is like? We’d love the opportunity to meet you, too. → Read more client testimonials: goldstonefinancialgroup.com/ The testimonials and reviews are provided voluntarily by our current clients. We do not compensate any persons for sharing their thoughts or experiences. #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #ClientExperience #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

$40 trillion in U.S. debt. Bitcoin up 15.3% in one week. Those two numbers are more connected than you might think. 📊 This week, the 30-year Treasury yield hit its highest level since 2007, the Treasury stepped in with expanded bond buybacks, and investors made some significant moves of their own. Gold climbed 5.4%, Bitcoin surged, and the dollar weakened. At the same time, Walmart, Target and Home Depot gave us a revealing look at the American consumer, while developments overseas added another layer of uncertainty for markets. So, what do these signals tell us about where markets could be heading next? Matt Rice, our Chief Investment Officer, breaks down the biggest developments from the week and what we’re watching now in the latest Weekly Market Recap. goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #WeeklyMarketRecap #MarketOutlook #Investing #RetirementPlanning #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

A 401(k) is not a retirement plan. Neither is a portfolio. A comprehensive retirement plan connects the bigger picture: how you want to live, where your income will come from, how taxes may affect what you keep, how you’ll prepare for healthcare costs, and what you want to leave behind. In our latest blog, we break down the key pieces of retirement planning and how investments, income, taxes, healthcare, insurance, and estate planning can work together toward your goals. If retirement is getting closer, it may be worth asking: Does every part of your financial life have a clear role in the plan? → Read “What Does a Retirement Plan Actually Include?” goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #RetirementIncome #TaxPlanning #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

The market week ending August 14th 2026 got the inflation news it wanted. Then the consumer changed the conversation. Stocks reached new highs as cooler inflation eased pressure on the Fed, but Friday brought a sharp drop in retail sales and another decline in consumer sentiment. In this week’s Market Recap & Outlook, Matthew Rice, CFA®, CAIA® Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group examines why that combination matters and the key signals we’re watching as September approaches. goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #GoldstoneFinancialGroup #MarketRecap #MarketOutlook #Investing #RetirementPlanning

What moved markets last week? Three developments stood out. A weaker-than-expected July jobs report shifted the rate conversation. Stocks rallied as rate pressure eased, while progress surrounding the Strait of Hormuz helped push oil prices lower. Swipe through for three key takeaways from this week’s Market Recap and read the full article here: goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #GoldstoneFinancialGroup #MarketUpdate #Investing #FinancialMarkets #EconomicOutlook

Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 begins in 66 days. Before October 15 arrives, there are steps you can take to prepare. From reviewing your current coverage and prescriptions to organizing your provider information, starting early can help you be better prepared to evaluate your options. Health care expenses can also play an important role in your broader retirement financial picture. Start preparing now so you have the information you need to review your options when Open Enrollment begins. goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #GoldstoneFinancialGroup #MedicareOpenEnrollment #Medicare2026 #RetirementPlanning #Retirement

Markets closed the week higher, but the leadership beneath the surface told an important story. A rare 9-3 Federal Reserve vote, Treasury yields at their highest levels since 2007, and sharply divided Big Tech earnings all shaped the week. At the same time, international developed markets and emerging markets outpaced the S&P 500, while value stocks continued to lead growth in 2026. In this week’s Market Recap & Outlook, Matthew Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group, explains what moved markets and what investors should watch next, including the July employment report, long-term interest rates, ongoing earnings, and geopolitical developments. Read the full market update. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #RetirementStrategy #RetirementIncome #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

When is the right time to work with a financial advisor? For many people, it's not about reaching a certain age or account balance. It's when financial decisions become more complex and retirement starts feeling real. In our latest blog, we explore five signs it may be time to seek professional guidance, including: ✔️ You're within 5 to 10 years of retirement ✔️ You're concerned about making your savings last ✔️ Retirement planning feels increasingly complex ✔️ You're navigating a major life transition ✔️ You want a coordinated long-term retirement strategy Retirement planning often extends beyond investments alone. Income planning, taxes, healthcare, and legacy planning can all play an important role in your long-term financial strategy. Read the full blog to learn more. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #RetirementPlanning #FinancialPlanning #RetirementStrategy #RetirementIncome #GoldstoneFinancialGroup

Oil climbed above $100 per barrel, major technology earnings moved markets, and investors are looking ahead to another important Federal Reserve decision. In this week's Market Recap & Outlook, Matthew Rice, CFA, CAIA, Chief Investment Officer at Goldstone Financial Group, breaks down the key events that shaped the markets, what they could mean for investors, and the economic data worth watching in the week ahead. Read this week's market commentary. → goldstonefinancialgroup.com/… #MarketUpdate #RetirementPlanning #Investing #EconomicOutlook #GoldstoneFinancialGroup