Stine Wealth Management

This year, Mondays and Fridays have been awful for investors, while the mid-week days have performed better. But remember Warren Buffett’s suggestion. "I would tell [investors], don’t watch the market closely.”

Just saw the latest IRS data and wanted to share some important insights about this tax season: * The average tax refund is currently 32.4% lower than last year ($2,169 vs $3,207) * These early numbers don't include refunds with earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit * The IRS expects the figures to "even out" as more returns come in before April 15 Remember, the current data represents only 33 million returns out of an expected 140+ million. If you're waiting on your refund, use the "Where's My Refund?" tool or IRS2Go app rather than calling the IRS directly. With IRS staffing reductions happening, double-checking your return for accuracy is more important than ever to avoid delays. #TaxSeason2025 #TaxRefunds Source: https://lnkd.in/eNG47nK4

Concerning signs for the housing market emerged as new data revealed significant challenges for potential homebuyers. New single-family home sales fell 10.5% in January, worse than economists predicted, while the median house price rose 3.7% year-over-year to $446,300—the highest since October 2022. The housing landscape shows mounting pressure, with new inventory increasing to 495,000 units, reaching levels not seen since December 2007. Weather played a role, too, with extremely cold temperatures and snowstorms contributing to regional declines: Northeastern sales plummeted 20%, Midwest sales were down 16.7%, and South sales dropped 14.8%. This housing slowdown adds to broader concerns about economic activity in Q1, following weak retail sales and cooling job growth. With mortgage rates hovering near 6.85% and ongoing policy uncertainty from potential tariffs, tax cuts, and immigration changes, the spring selling season outlook appears challenging. Housing experts note this inventory buildup reflects homebuilders' optimism for increased demand that "has failed to materialize," potentially leading to "a significant pullback in new residential construction projects" in coming quarters. #HousingMarket #MortgageRates #RealEstate #EconomicOutlook #HomeBuilding Source: https://lnkd.in/gMt3nxUv

Alarming news for consumers and grocery budgets—the USDA has dramatically increased its egg price forecast 2025. Key points to understand: Egg prices are now predicted to rise 41.1% this year (up from January's 20% forecast) The national average already hit $4.95 per dozen in January January prices were 53% higher than a year ago Bird flu is the primary driver behind these price increases An estimated 18.8 million commercial egg layers were affected by bird flu in January alone This significant price hike stems from the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak affecting productive flocks nationwide. The USDA describes current egg offerings as "very light to light with little chance for improvement in the near term." While most human cases of bird flu have been mild, officials are monitoring the situation closely following one reported death of a person with underlying conditions. #EggPrices #Inflation #BirdFlu #GroceryBudget #FoodCosts Source: https://lnkd.in/gfme6GJT

Private job growth can come in significantly below expectations, as we saw in February 2025, with just 77,000 jobs added, according to ADP. This marked the slowest hiring pace in months and signaled potential economic cooling. Key points to consider: ?? Trade, transportation, and utilities sectors can experience losses amid tariff concerns ? Leisure and hospitality sectors often show resilience even during slowdowns ?? Wage growth trends provide important context for overall economic health Market indicators suggest employers may become hesitant amid policy uncertainty and consumer spending fluctuations. Monitoring both ADP and BLS reports may offer a valuable perspective on employment trends. #JobsReport #EconomicIndicators #MarketOutlook Source: https://lnkd.in/gYSUXTGe

?? History often offers valuable lessons for today's economic challenges. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1930 shaped economic policy for generations: Then vs. Now: ??? 1930: Tariffs on 25% of U.S. imports ?? 2025: New global trade tensions emerge ?? 1930: 35 nations protested U.S. policy ?? 2025: Multiple trade partners signal retaliation ?? 1930: Global trade collapsed ?? 2025: Economists project 0.4% GDP impact Key takeaway: As one economist notes, "The global economy is like an intricately choreographed dance. Tariffs are just throwing a wrench in that dance." Want to discuss how global trade developments might affect your financial strategy? Let's connect. #GlobalTrade #Economics #MarketInsights Source: https://lnkd.in/dYrgEB5D

The latest job market numbers tell a fascinating story of balance and resilience. December Job Market Snapshot: 7.6 million job openings Layoffs remain low Unemployment steady at 4.1% Monthly job gains averaging 186,000 What does this mean for 2025? An Oxford Economics expert says, "The labor market is healthy enough to tolerate a more cautious approach... with a low pace of layoffs keeping net job growth positive despite a slow pace of hiring." The takeaway: While the job market is cooling from its peak, it's doing so in a measured way that suggests continued stability. Want to discuss how employment trends might affect your financial strategy? Let's connect. #EconomicTrends #JobMarket Source: https://lnkd.in/gawfzXNc

The latest jobs report shows continued strength in the labor market: ?? The numbers tell an interesting story: The private sector added 183,000 jobs in January Service providers created 190,000 positions Worker pay rose 4.7% for those staying in their jobs Total job creation exceeded expectations But there's more to the story: ? Consumer-facing industries led the growth ?? Business services saw slower expansion ?? Manufacturing sector faced some challenges What this means: The labor market continues to show resilience, supporting a stable economic environment as we move through 2025. Interested in discussing how employment trends might affect your financial future? Let's connect. #EconomicTrends #JobMarket #FinancialFuture Source: https://lnkd.in/gf-htTZq

?? Sometimes, the most inspiring stories of dedication come from unexpected places. Meet Cheryl Gaw, who transformed her retirement plans into a mission that's saved over 2,500 pugs in South Africa, showing how following your passion can lead to meaningful impact. ?? What started with one pug as a gift grew into a full-scale rescue operation, complete with dedicated routines, medical care, and a $40,000 annual veterinary budget. It's a powerful reminder that sustainable change often requires both heart and strategic planning. ?? What this means for you: Building something meaningful often starts with a single step and grows through dedication. Whether it's planning for retirement or pursuing a passion, having the courage to adapt and commit to your vision can lead to extraordinary outcomes. #PersonalGrowth #RetirementPlanning #Purpose #Legacy #CommunityImpact #Dedication Source: https://lnkd.in/e88zei4P

The impact of avian flu continues to shape our food market dynamics, with egg prices expected to surge another 20% in 2025. December's average price of $4.15 per dozen marks a striking 160% increase from 2019 levels. ?? What's particularly noteworthy is how businesses are adapting—from local diners absorbing costs to protect customers to grocery stores using strategic pricing to maintain customer relationships. This showcases the ripple effects of supply chain challenges, from farm operations to transportation logistics. ?? What this means for you: These price trends reflect broader economic patterns where even basic commodities can experience significant volatility. Understanding these market dynamics helps put everyday economic decisions into perspective and highlights the importance of staying informed about factors affecting household expenses. Industry experts point to multiple factors beyond just avian flu, including ongoing transportation challenges and labor shortages, suggesting we're seeing fundamental shifts in how our food supply chain operates. #FoodPrices #MarketTrends #SupplyChain #ConsumerGoods #EconomicTrends #Inflation Source: https://lnkd.in/gCq_s36J