Dan Gielow - LPL Financial

06/24/2026

El Niño has formed in the Pacific, and forecasters say it could become one of the strongest events on record.

El Niño is a natural warming pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather around the world. This cycle may increase the risk of extreme heat, floods, droughts, wildfires, and other costly weather disruptions.

NOAA says there is a 63% chance this El Niño could become intense enough to rank among the largest events in the historical record going back to 1950.

The potential impact is not limited to weather. Severe climate events can affect agriculture, energy demand, insurance costs, supply chains, transportation, and local economies.

For households and businesses, El Niño is as much an economic story as an environmental one.

U.S. meteorologists say an El Nino has formed. That's the natural warming of parts of the Pacific that changes weather around the globe.

06/24/2026

Do your financial concerns feel stressful? Take a look at this video for some best practices when it comes to your financial strategy.

An amusing and whimsical look at behavioral finance best practices for investors.

06/22/2026

Consumers continued spending in May, even as higher prices and gas costs remained part of the picture.

Retail sales rose 0.9% in May, up from a revised 0.4% increase in April. Excluding gas station sales, retail sales rose 0.7%.

The gains were broad-based, with clothing, accessories, furniture, and online sales all moving higher. Online sales rose 1.5% during the month.

The data suggests consumers are still spending, supported in part by tax refunds and steady hiring. However, economists noted that the boost from tax refunds may fade, and higher gas prices could still affect household behavior.

Some shoppers appear to be adjusting by looking for discounts, changing where they fill up, or becoming more selective with purchases.

For the broader economy, retail sales offer a useful snapshot of consumer strength — and how households respond when prices, fuel costs, and confidence all shift at once.

Shoppers stepped up their spending in May, surpassing economists’ expectations, as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices leveled off.

06/22/2026

Benefit. Premium. Policyholder. Learn the language before evaluating your options.

Term insurance is the simplest form of life insurance. Here's how it works.

06/19/2026

Ever heard of a Roth 401(k)? Would one be right for you?

Roth 401(k) plans combine features of traditional 401(k) plans with those of a Roth IRA.

06/17/2026

NASA has named the four astronauts expected to fly on the Artemis III mission, marking another step in the agency’s return-to-the-Moon effort.

The crew includes Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Frank Rubio, and Andre Douglas. The mission is expected to launch into Earth orbit next year and last about two weeks.

Rather than landing on the Moon, Artemis III is now expected to focus on testing key operations with new lunar landers being developed for future missions.

Those tests are important because future Moon landings will require a lander to connect with NASA’s Orion spacecraft in orbit before carrying astronauts to the lunar surface.

The mission is designed to help NASA evaluate systems, docking operations, crew procedures, and spacecraft coordination before future lunar landing attempts.

It is a reminder that major exploration goals often depend on careful testing, technical progress, and the people willing to take each next step.

The crew is expected to launch into Earth orbit next year to conduct demonstrations with one or both of the lunar landers that SpaceX and Blue Origin are building.

06/17/2026

Retirement choices can be intimidating. This piece helps you pick the right strategy for your business and employees.

Retirement choices can feel intimidating. Choosing the right strategy can make all the difference.

06/15/2026

The World Cup is expected to bring soccer fans from across North America, but the travel impact may not be felt equally.

Instead of one broad tourism surge, early data suggests demand may vary by host city, match, and price point.

Some cities are seeing stronger flight and hotel activity, while others are trailing last year’s pace. That means the economic lift for hotels, restaurants, transportation, and local businesses may depend heavily on location and timing.

The tournament is the largest World Cup to date, with 48 teams, 104 matches, and games across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Still, travelers appear to be making practical decisions around ticket prices, lodging, trip length, and which matches are worth the cost.

For businesses, the takeaway is that major events can create opportunity—but demand does not always show up evenly or all at once.

The expected travel boom from the World Cup is looking like it will be a city-by-city, match-by-match test of pricing power.

06/15/2026

The stock market has a long and storied history, from the Dutch East India Company to Wall St.

From the Dutch East India Company to Wall Street, the stock market has a long and storied history.

06/12/2026

Net worth is one of the most telling numbers in personal finance. Add up your assets and liabilities to see where you really stand today.