Hello ,

As summer fades into fall, the arrival of fall sports, specifically football season, marks a time of renewed enthusiasm. Tailgates, game-day celebrations, and travel to games across the U.S. signal a time for camaraderie as fans celebrate their favorite teams. Football season is often an economic catalyst that influences consumer behavior and business performance. Sports Insider reports that the NFL alone contributes $5 billion annually in ancillary revenue to the U.S. economy. That doesn't take into account other sporting events' contributions, such as NBA and NHL games, and their economic impact. While football season certainly boosts consumer spending and contributes to economic activity, we know it is not the primary driver of the economy, nor is it going to help achieve the Fed's recently stated 2% inflation target. 

At the recent Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that consumer spending has been robust and that the housing sector is showing signs of picking back up, which is all good news as we head into fall. While we know that inflation has dropped slightly, it remains higher than historic average, and we are still far from achieving that target rate. Increased spending as we enter football season and a recovering housing sector could necessitate further monetary tightening. The Fed will decide whether to tighten further or hold rates steady depending on evolving economic conditions. We will continue to keep you informed as policy and the market evolves. 

In firm news, check out Chief Investment Officer Rob Kantor's recent contribution to a Wealth of Geeks article regarding the stock market's recent choppy waters. We are also excited to announce our progress on our new Virginia office as we head towards an opening date in early September. See updated photos below on our progress and word on our official Open House date.  "XML Fraud Focus" this month highlights essential information on "How to Freeze Your Credit Report." This could come in handy in preventing potential identity theft, especially if you think your personal information may have been exposed. 

In upcoming webinar events, on Tuesday, September 24 at 1:00 pm EST we are hosting a webinar on "Medicare Annual Enrollment: What You Need To Know" with Kevin Chaikin, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent from MP Group in conversation with XML Wealth Advisor, Kevin Peters. They will discuss the enrollment process, key upcoming changes, and tips you should know to help you choose the best plan for your needs. Sign up today to listen in on the 24th to prepare for the upcoming enrollment period. Look out for an email invitation for our fall webinars in the coming weeks, including a fireside chat webinar on October 8 with The BREM Foundation on detecting and preventing breast cancer and our webinar on October 25 with Robert Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors, on "The Election, Politics, and The Economy." 

Just like in football, where every play counts and every player has a role to play, we understand that every step you take towards your aspirations is important. Whether you're making strategic moves in your financial planning or tackling personal milestones, we're committed to supporting you every step of the way. 

Until the next kickoff, 

Best,

XML Financial Group,

Wealth Advisor

XML Financial Group
www.xmlfg.com

In The News

Tax Planning Points That Every

Entrepreneur Should Know 

Opening and running a business comes with various challenges, including managing taxes effectively. Strategic tax planning is essential for minimizing tax obligations and optimizing resources, which can drive business growth. Read our recent blog post to learn seven key points of tax planning every business owner should consider.

XML Wealth Wisdom

Upcoming: Medicare Annual

Enrollment - What You Need To Know 

Join Kevin Chaikin, Licensed Medicare Insurance Agent at MP Group, and Kevin Peters, CLU®️, Wealth Advisor at XML Financial Group on Tuesday, September 24 at 1:00pm EST to discuss the upcoming enrollment period, the enrollment process, and key upcoming changes and tips you should know to help you choose the best plan for your needs. Sign up today to listen in on the 24th so you are prepared for the upcoming enrollment period. 

XML Team News

Virginia Office Nearing Completion 

We are getting close to our new office open date!  We had our final walkthrough on August 16 and now we are busy with furniture delivery, IT set up, and technology installations. It’s exciting to have this fresh space to welcome our Virginia clients for client meetings and events. Our Virginia Open House event is set for Wednesday, October 16 from 11:00am - 2:00pm with lunch catered by The Bean Bag Deli and Catering. Our Virginia office teammates are looking forward to welcoming clients and giving a tour of the new space. Stay tuned for an official invite via email and mail and word on our official open date in the coming weeks!

Wealth of Geeks Article Contribution

Chief Investment Officer, Rob Kantor, contributed to a recent Wealth of Geeks article regarding the stock market’s recent choppy waters. “To reach new highs, you must pass through old highs. The market takes the stairs up but will take the elevator down, and we are in the mode right now where we can easily have a 5% correction in a few days.” Rob said. He also mentions a potential market shift towards value. Read the full article below.

XML Fraud Focus 

Learn About the "Credit Freeze" And How To Initiate It

XML Financial Group is committed to protecting clients by actively combating fraud. Our proactive approach includes regular internal assessments to stay ahead of threats, striving to maintain trust and security in all client interactions. Check out our new "XML Fraud Focus" newsletter section, every month for fraud tips and alerts so you know how to protect yourself and your family. 

This month's focus is the "Credit Freeze". A credit freeze is a powerful tool for protecting yourself against identity theft and fraud. When you place a freeze on your credit report, it restricts access to your credit file, making it significantly harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. This means that even if your personal information is compromised, unauthorized individuals won’t be able to exploit it to obtain credit or loans. By implementing a credit freeze, you gain greater control over your financial security and can prevent potential damage to your credit score and financial health. It’s a proactive and effective measure to safeguard your financial identity from the growing threat of fraud. Read the "How-To" article from the Maryland Attorney General's office for instructions. 

This communication is for information and educational purposes only. This is not a recommendation for the sale or investment in any product or strategy nor should it be perceived as individual advice. Information presented has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and does not represent all available data necessary for making investment decisions. Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect a series of assumptions and judgments as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. Forecasts do not consider the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of an individual. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. The opinion expressed by this individual is based on facts and circumstances known at this time, is subject to change and does not reflect the opinions of all financial professionals of XML.