OUR BLOG
April 2026
A Balanced View of Inflation and Earnings as the War in Iran Evolves
The conflict between the United States and Iran continues to evolve, with markets reacting to each new set of headlines. A ceasefire announcement initially eased tensions and pushed oil prices lower, with Brent crude falling into the $90 range. However, the subsequent breakdown [...]
Should I Consider a Roth IRA Conversion?
A Roth conversion is the process of moving assets from a Traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA, or from a qualified retirement plan, into a Roth IRA. When the conversion occurs, taxes are due on contributions and the accumulation. However, qualified distributions of earnings [...]
Global Portfolio Perspectives on the Dollar, Gold, and International Stocks
Global events have been at the center of financial market activity, with high oil prices, geopolitics, and new tariff rules capturing investor attention. Behind many of these trends, however, is the level of the U.S. dollar. While currency movements have received less attention [...]
A Guide to Understanding Tax Refunds
A tax refund is a repayment to taxpayers for any excess tax paid. It is a form of refund issued by national, state, or local tax authorities to taxpayers who have overpaid their taxes. The phenomenon of overpayment may occur due to several [...]
How Rising Gasoline Prices Affect Consumers and Investors
For most Americans, the price of gasoline at the pump is one of the direct ways the conflict in Iran affects their everyday lives. Gasoline prices are prominently displayed and updated frequently, and filling up on at least a weekly basis is a [...]
March 2026
Stock Market Sectors: How Oil and AI Affect Portfolios
When investors think about the stock market, they tend to focus on broad indices like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial Average. While this is a natural starting point, it’s often helpful to look one level deeper at the sectors within each [...]
Market Pullbacks and Achieving Portfolio Balance
The ongoing conflict in Iran and rising oil prices have been the primary drivers of stock market swings in recent weeks. Brent crude oil has climbed back above $100 per barrel, raising questions about whether higher energy costs could slow economic growth while [...]
Tax Season Final Push: An Essential Checklist for Accurate Filing
As the deadline for filing income tax approaches, it’s crucial to have all the necessary information and documents at your fingertips. The final push requires organization, preparation, and a helpful checklist to streamline the process and make it straightforward. […]
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.