Southern Company Update, 2nd Quarter 2025
Southern Company results continue to be good and investors have rewarded SO and other utilities with returns typically not seen in the utility space. Southern Company, as of August 11, 2025, is up 36% over two years, 9% over the last year, and 15% year-to-date. Consistent growth in earnings and the dividend combined with the prospects of strong future growth driven by data center buildouts have turned the utility sector into the 4th highest returning business grouping so far in 2025 [...]
Market Update: July 29th, 2025
Welcome to the Monthly Market Update from Signature Wealth Management. I’m Brian Ransom, Research Director from Signature Wealth and here’s what happened in the market this month. Fortunes in the market have completely reversed this summer relative to the spring. At the beginning of the year, the market peaked in February and fell significantly throughout the month of April. Since that April 8th bottom, however, the market is up nearly 28%. The primary question on everyone’s minds is what [...]
It Just Doesn’t Matter!
In previous newsletters, I (Jim) have quoted such global luminaries as Winston Churchill and Bob Dylan in the hope of adding gravitas to my words. While that may or may not have helped, I think referencing a Bill Murray quote from that iconic summer movie “Meatballs” might just be more reflective of my current heat-compromised disposition! The scene is set when Bill is attempting to rally his sad-sack campers from Camp North Star to prevail against the rich and privileged kids [...]
Why You Should Have an Emergency Savings and What to Do If You Don’t
Unexpected expenses are part of life—job loss, medical emergencies, car repairs, or home maintenance can strike without warning. That’s why having an emergency savings fund is one of the most fundamental pillars of financial stability. Yet, many households are unprepared, living paycheck to paycheck or relying on credit when life throws a curveball. Here’s why an emergency fund is so crucial—and what steps you can take if you currently don’t have one. An emergency fund acts as a financial cushion, giving [...]
Signature Wealth Management Group – Cybersecurity Update – 2025
At Signature Wealth Management Group, protecting client's personal and financial information is a top priority. We’re committed to maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity to safeguard data. We’re pleased to share that an independent cybersecurity audit has been successfully completed in 2025. The audit assessed our firm’s technology, infrastructure, and security protocols, ensuring we meet industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Key Highlights from the Audit: No major security risks were identified. All systems are compliant with federal cybersecurity standards, including [...]
Market Update: May 27, 2025
Welcome to the Monthly Market Update from Signature Wealth Management. I’m Brian Ransom, Research Director from Signature Wealth and here’s what happened in the market this month. The market has rebounded nicely following the 19% decline back in April. The S&P is up nearly 19% from the bottom as of May 27 and it does appear that the bear market caused by trade complications was short lived. The big news item of the month was a credit downgrade [...]
Southern Company Update, 1st Quarter 2025
Southern Company has weathered the 2025 volatility well and is trading near the 52-week high as of May 5, 2025. For the first quarter of 2025, Southern saw a -1.8% decline in residential electricity sales that was almost entirely offset by a 0.5% growth rate in both Commercial and Industrial sales including an 11% increase from the data centers (1). Data center electricity demand is projected to continue to increase nationwide, driving the first secular period of power demand growth in [...]
529s – A Jack of All Trades Account
In recognition of National 529 Day (5/29), each May I aspire to write a captivating missive on the rather bland topic of 529 Plans. And I'm inclined to continue with these efforts, because according to a recent Edward Jones study1, only about half (50%) of Americans know what a 529 Plan is and fewer than a quarter have a 529 Plan. So rather than explain every intricate detail of what a 529 Plan is (which can be found in my article [...]
Market Update: April 29, 2025
Welcome to the Monthly Market Update from Signature Wealth Management. I’m Brian Ransom, Research Director from Signature Wealth and here’s what happened in the market this month. We have just experienced an incredibly volatile month of April that included a 19% peak-to-trough decline in the S&P 500. The market quickly reached oversold conditions and has since recovered a little less than half of the value lost during the decline. The primary cause of the market decline was tariffs and [...]