GARDNER BROWN ASSOCIATES, INC.
BIO
Louis A. Gardner, President of Gardner Brown Associates Inc., has been in the Financial Services industry for over 30 years. Over the span of his career he has served as an Executive with three major insurance carriers.
Gardner Brown & Associates, Inc was started in 2008 with the objective to allow our firm to work directly with individual and corporate clients in the vast area of financial advisement.
Louis has been named one of the nation's Best Advisors by Medical Economics due to his vast knowledge and expertise in the area of financial advisement. Gardner Brown Associates is able to assist corporate clients in devising executive, core and voluntary benefits and individual clients in all areas of financial matters.
From tackling personal decisions to reaching important milestones, Gardner Brown Associates, Inc. guides you on the path to financial success. As a professional financial planning firm, Gardner Brown Associates, Inc. guarantees optimal results based on your specific needs. We are fueled by our commitment to excellence and go the extra mile to make sure our clients are fully satisfied with the services provided. Get in touch with us today for a free financial advisement consultation.
Securities offered through Lion Street Financial, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory products and services offered through Lion Street Advisors, LLC, an investment advisor registered with the SEC. Lion Street Financial, LLC and Lion Street Advisors, LLC are affiliated companies but neither is affiliated with Gardner Brown and Associates. Neither of these companies provide tax or legal advice. Representatives may transact business, which includes offering products and services and/or responding to inquiries, only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed.
Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.
WHAT GARDNER BROWN ASSOCIATES, INC. OFFERS
FINANCIAL STATUS EVALUATION
Our clients are our number one priority, and we go the extra mile to make sure they’re completely satisfied with our service. Whether individual or corporate clients, we will review current insurance and investment holdings and provide explanations of current holdings in a manner which is understandable.
FINANCIAL ADVISEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Gardner Brown Associates, Inc. aims to collect, analyze, and solve your financial advisement needs. After we collect your current holdings data and analyze your information we are able to present customized solutions to assist you in reaching your financial goals.
ASSIST IN FINANCIAL GOAL SETTING
Many clients know what they want to achieve in 5, 10 or 20 years financially but they are not sure how to get there. At Gardner Brown Associates, Inc. we listen to your financial wants and needs and help develop a specific plan on how to achieve those goals.
CONTACT ME
(949) 375-2008 (Tel)
BUSINESS HOURS
Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm (PST)
Saturday & Sunday: By appointment only
MONTHLY ECONOMIC UPDATE
JULY 2020
THE MONTH IN BRIEF
Stock prices climbed higher in June, as investors looked beyond an increase in COVID-19 cases as well as reports that several states planned to slow the pace of their economic re-opening.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.69%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index tacked on 1.84%. The Nasdaq Composite, already up 6.75% in May, rose another 5.99%. 1
DOMESTIC ECONOMIC HEALTH
U.S. Markets
Stock prices climbed higher in June, as investors looked beyond an increase in COVID-19 cases as well as reports that several states planned to slow the pace of their economic re-opening.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.69%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index tacked on 1.84%. The Nasdaq Composite, already up 6.75% in May, rose another 5.99%. 1
Momentum Lost
Stocks opened the month higher, but the momentum quickly stalled, as states struggled to re-open their economies while facing an increase in COVID-19 cases. Investor sentiment was further dampened by a subdued forecast of economic recovery issued by the Federal Reserve.
Focus Shifted
But the market turned and rallied on a series of upbeat news announcements. First, by the Fed, which said that it would extend its bond-buying program to include the debt of individual companies. Second, a strong retail sales report buoyed spirits. And finally, the news of an effective COVID-19 treatment for critically ill patients strengthened investor sentiment.
Bump Up in COVID-19
Market direction reversed late in the month, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Florida, Texas, and California, which prompted some states to roll back their re-opening plans.
However, stocks still closed out the month strong, posting back-to-back gains to cement a solid showing.
Sector Scorecard
Industry sectors were mixed in June, with gains in Consumer Discretionary (+1.54%), Industrials (+0.95%), Materials (+0.18%), and Technology (+4.78%), while losses were posted by Communication Services (-1.07%), Consumer Staples (-1.72%), Energy (-4.54%), Financials (-2.48%), Health Care (-4.49%), Real Estate (-0.98%), and Utilities (-5.81%). 2
What Investors May Be Talking About in July
Assessing the economy has become increasingly difficult due to the uncertainties caused by the pandemic.
For example, May’s employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the economy added 2.5 million new jobs. Wall Street economists were stunned by the news, having forecast a drop of 8.3 million. 3
WORLD MARKETS
World Markets
Economic re-opening and supportive central bank policies propelled markets overseas, as the MSCI-EAFE Index gained 2.92%. 4
European markets responded to a general easing of economic lockdown and fresh central bank support. Germany rose 6.25%, while France picked up 5.12%. The U.K. lagged, gaining only 2.16%. 5
Pacific Rim stocks were mostly higher. Japan tacked on 1.88%, while Australia climbed 1.35%. 6
Indicators
Gross Domestic Product: The final reading of GDP growth for the first quarter was unchanged, at -5.0%. 7
Employment: The unemployment rate dropped to 13.3%, as employers added 2.5 million new jobs in May. Many of the sectors hit hardest by employment cuts, such as the travel, hospitality, and retail industries, led the rebound in hiring. 8
Retail Sales: Retail sales leaped 17.7% in May. Clothing and furniture stores led the group. 9
Industrial Production: Industrial production climbed 1.4%; though, manufacturing output managed a stronger increase of 3.8%. 10
Housing: Housing starts increased 4.3% in May; though, permits for future home construction rose 14.4%. The increase in permits indicates that home building may be emerging from its COVID-19-related contraction. 11
Existing home sales dropped 9.7% in May. 12
Sales of new homes rose 16.6%, which was above consensus estimates. 13
Consumer Price Index: For the second straight month, consumer prices fell, dipping 0.1% in May. Core inflation, which excludes the more volatile food and energy components, also retreated by 0.1%. 14
Durable Goods Orders: Orders for long-lasting goods jumped 15.8%, well above the consensus estimate of 10.3%. 15
MONTHLY TIP
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go . ”
T.S. ELIOT