This week, we focused on trying to better understand the potential durability of higher energy prices.

As a reminder, at WealthVest, we have a long-term view that potential GDP growth is going lower. That means, we see a real GDP growth rate that will average below 2% and an inflation backdrop that will be consistently problematic, quite unlike the grinding decline of inflation over the last four decades. For what it's worth, this is an increasingly non-controversial view among academic economists, but not one that is yet embraced more broadly on Wall Street.

The 10-year Treasury yield rose to its highest level in 11 years yesterday; however, how does this compare to interest rates over last 5000 years?

For the first time since 2019, WealthVest, a financial services marketing and wholesaling firm, was able to bring together its nearly 100 employees and four nationwide wholesaling teams for its in-person national sales meeting in Bozeman this May.

Inflation is a hidden danger in retirement. Considering retirement can last 30-40 years, increasing medical costs, food costs, housing costs and transportation costs can leave retirees far poorer if their savings do not keep pace with inflation. Many retirees depend upon fixed-income investments such as bonds and bond funds during retirement, which are not designed to keep up with inflation as these investments provide fixed coupon payments. The Federal Reserve typically combats high inflationary periods by raising the federal funds rate to ease an overheated economy. Changes in interest rates are one of the most significant factors affecting bond values in the secondary market. A truth of bond and bond fund investing is that when interest rates rise, secondary bond market prices fall.

In this episode of WealthVest: The Weekly Bull & Bear, Tim Pierotti comes back as a guest and discusses the GDP contraction, the job market, the Fed, fiscal policy and the prospect of stagflation.

USAA Life Insurance Company, a leading financial services brand for military members and their families, and WealthVest, a field-based wholesaling firm, have announced a strategic relationship to distribute certain USAA Life annuity products to select banks and broker-dealers. The new relationship is the result of an extensive search by USAA Life for a wholesaling partner that could meet USAA Life’s exacting professional service and training standards.

In this episode of the Weekly Bull & Bear, Louis G. Navellier , Chairman and Founder of Navellier & Associates, joined Drew to discuss the global economic recovery, earnings season, the Fed attempt at lowering inflation, I-bonds, stagflation prospects, emerging markets and the Lifetime Income for Employees Act.

Inflation is the hidden danger in retirement. Considering retirement can last 30-40 years, increasing medical costs, food costs, housing costs and transportation costs can leave retirees far poorer if their savings do not keep up with inflation. Many retirees depend upon fixed-income investments during retirement, which are not designed to keep up with inflation. Social Security has cost-of-living adjustments, but sometimes it can be prudent to supplement this income. It is important to look at where inflation has been and where it may be headed to build a retirement income plan that factors in inflation risk.

In celebration of Earth Day, employees at WealthVest, a Bozeman-based financial services wholesaling firm, spent the afternoon collecting and disposing of nearly 30 large, black trash bags full of items found along the roadways and greenways near their corporate office on Manley Road.

In this episode, Drew and Grant discuss concerns over inflation, the risk of stagflation, the potential of a Russian default and why U.S. exchanges didn't delist Russia

Investing relies on predicating future trends and U.S. treasury rates remain a popular indicator. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury can be used as a proxy for mortgage rates and consumer confidence. This rate compared to a lower term rate such as the 2-Year Treasury Rate is an important barometer of the economy. When analyzing the spread between the 10-Year and 2-Year rates, the data is plotted on a graph and the changes in shape can tell a broader story.

As a financial professional, you might be wondering what you can do to improve your impact on the environment. It turns out that the financial industry plays a big part in achieving sustainability.

In this episode of WealthVest: The Weekly Bull & Bear, Drew and Grant discuss Lael Brainard's comments, the March job report, how households are adjusting to inflation, American concerns about a recession, the price of diesel, strategic oil reserves and the defense production act being invoked for EV battery materials.

Industry expert joins WealthVest to oversee the distribution of MassMutual’s long-term care product line.

In this episode Matt Peron, Director of Research at Janus Henderson Investors, joined Drew and Grant to discuss the stock market for the rest of the year, the state of the economy, emerging market equities, oil prices, precious metals, inflation and whether or not younger investors will be more conservative.

In this episode of the Last Full Measure, there is a focus on the War on Terror. The lives and stories of Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter, Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta and Captain Florent Groberg are all covered.

In this episode Drew and Grant discuss the Fed rate hike, the holdup in the nomination process, oil prices tumbling, suspending the gas tax as public policy, global recessionary risks, Russia nearing default and the effectiveness of sanctions.

This is the second episode of the Last Full Measure. It covers the exploits of Corporal William Pittenger and the Andrews raiders, who stole a train deep behind enemy lines, with the objective of destroying rail, bridges, and telegraph wires along the way. It's a fascinating story, and one which Corporal William Pittenger would later write about in his book Daring and Suffering. Corporal William Pittenger was one of the first recipients of the Medal of Honor.

In this episode Drew and Grant discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the response of the international community, stock performance in times of geo-political crisis and the aftermath, the global economic consequences of the war, Russia losing access to Swift, volatility-based commodity plays and REITS.