Cease-Fire – Pause Or More?

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By Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer Summary: The U.S. and Israel have agreed to a two-week cease-fire with Iran. This comes on the heels of an announcement by the President that if the Strait of Hormuz wasn’t opened by 8pm ET Tuesday, the U.S. would increase hostilities toward power and transportation infrastructure. Markets have…

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March 2026 Market Update

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In our March 2026 market update, Merit Financial Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, examines a month shaped by rising geopolitical tensions, increased energy prices, and shifting expectations around inflation and interest rates. While markets remain modestly positive year-to-date, new risks tied to global conflict and economic moderation are influencing the stock market outlook…

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Increasing Geo-Political Tensions

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By Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer Market Update: Geopolitical Risk and Asset‑Class Reactions The recent military escalation involving Iran has understandably raised concerns among investors. While the human consequences of conflict are always paramount, markets tend to respond quickly by repricing risk, particularly where energy supply and inflation are involved. Below is a snapshot…

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Estate Planning Conversations High-Net-Worth Families Need to Be Having

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By Emily Boothroyd, JD, CFP®, CPWA®, Wealth Manager and Partner 77% of individuals with more than $1 million in household net worth have an estate plan, will, or trust. Having these documents in place is critical, but it doesn’t always mean a plan has been fully thought through or revisited as families, assets, and priorities…

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Spring Cleaning Your Portfolio: Resetting Risk for the Year Ahead

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By Matthew Morzy, MBA, CFP®, Portfolio Strategist, Merit Financial Advisors Spring tends to be when people finally slow down long enough to take stock. Closets get cleaned out, paperwork gets sorted, and projects postponed during the winter move back to the top of the list. With tax season prompting a closer look at last year’s…

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February 2026 Market Update

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In our February 2026 market update, Merit Financial Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, breaks down the latest shifts in the stock market outlook for 2026, including renewed volatility, moderating inflation, and a significant rotation away from mega-cap technology stocks. Brian analyzes January’s sharp market sell-off, the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showing…

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