OUR BLOG
August 2026
Monthly Market Update for July 2026: AI Volatility, Rising Yields, and Middle East Tensions
Markets experienced a challenging environment in July with major indices ending the month slightly lower. However, this is in the context of healthy year-to-date gains and a broad market that is not far from its all-time high. A number of factors drove day-to-day [...]
July 2026
Target Date Funds: Understanding Their Pros and Cons
Target date funds (TDFs), also known as lifecycle or age-based funds, are mutual funds that automatically adjust their asset allocation over time, becoming more conservative as the investor’s selected retirement date approaches. The underlying principle of TDFs centers on an optimal risk-reward trade-off [...]
What Rising Real Yields Mean for Investors
Treasury rates have surged to their highest levels in recent years due to a combination of concerns around inflation, oil prices, the national debt, and the Fed. The 10-year Treasury yield is once again above 4.6% and the 30-year has been above 5% [...]
The AI Value Chain: Investor Perspectives on Data Centers, Semiconductors and More
In our modern world, computers and cell phones have become everyday necessities that are expected to simply work. Yet, there is unbelievable complexity behind not only the engineering that makes them possible, but also in the supply chains that allow millions of devices [...]
The Role of Financial Caregiver
Financial caregiving often involves managing an individual’s daily financial affairs when they cannot fully care for themselves. This care could involve tasks such as paying bills, managing retirement funds, buying necessary supplies, or even hiring needed help for the individual. This role typically [...]
Financial Retirement-Age Milestones: Social Security Eligibility and Penalty-Free Withdrawals
Managing one’s financial future can be a complex task, especially when considering the multiple key age milestones involved. Two of the most important are attaining eligibility for Social Security benefits and reaching the age for penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts. Understanding these aspects [...]
The Role of Cash in a Portfolio
The baseball player Yogi Berra once said that “a nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.” With inflation still elevated, many investors and consumers may be feeling this way as well. Not only are everyday costs higher due to energy prices, but short-term interest [...]
FAFSA Tips and Things to Know
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) plays a crucial role in helping many students obtain financial aid for college. Navigating the FAFSA process can be daunting, but understanding the nuances can make the difference between receiving aid and missing out on [...]
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.