OUR BLOG
February 2026
Monthly Market Update for January: Geopolitics, the Fed, and Precious Metals
The start of the year was positive for stocks and bonds, continuing the rally from recent years. This might be surprising to some investors since there were several periods of volatility driven by geopolitics and Federal Reserve policy. While headlines created short-term swings, [...]
January 2026
The Importance of Earnings for Long-Term Portfolios
As the corporate earnings season ramps up, markets are shifting their focus from geopolitical concerns to tangible evidence of how businesses are performing. With the stock market hovering near all-time highs, questions around valuations and the sustainability of recent profitability trends have become [...]
Demystifying the Life Insurance Medical Exam: What to Expect During the Underwriting Appointment
Applying for life insurance often includes a step that may be unfamiliar to many: the life insurance medical exam. This examination is a fundamental part of the underwriting process. One’s health status is crucial to insurers, as it helps them assess the risk [...]
A Brief History of the Social Security COLA
Although to some of us it may seem as if Social Security has always been around, that isn’t the case. The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. Its aim was to address the [...]
Gold and Silver: Current Portfolio Perspectives
Gold, silver, and other precious metals have rallied over the past two years, capturing investor attention. Gold recently surpassed $4,700 per ounce while silver now trades above $90 per ounce, marking historic milestones for both metals. This strong recent performance may lead some [...]
Using Behavioral Finance to Set Investor Expectations
The strong stock market performance of the past several years has been positive for investors and their financial plans. At the same time, these recent successes can lead to unrealistic expectations when it comes to long-term financial goals. This is because investing and [...]
How to Build a Meaningful Retirement Life Without a Work Schedule
One of the most underestimated challenges of retirement is not financial but personal. After decades of structured workdays, many retirees find themselves asking, “What now?” While the initial freedom can feel liberating, the absence of a daily routine can quickly lead to boredom, [...]
Special Update: Venezuela, Oil, and the Impact on Portfolios
The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces represents an unexpected and significant geopolitical event. As has been widely reported, the U.S. military successfully conducted an operation that detained Maduro on charges related to drug trafficking and corruption. President Trump stated [...]
Disclosure: This commentary reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the O’Donnell Financial Services, LLC employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by O’Donnell Financial Services, LLC or performance returns of any O’Donnell Financial Services, LLC client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this commentary constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. O’Donnell Financial Services, LLC manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.