Collective Advisors

A lot of the headlines around the markets right now are focused on stocks, but there’s another part of the market worth watching: debt.

Debt is becoming a bigger part of the market story—from $40 trillion in U.S. government debt to the growing use of debt to fund the AI boom.

While we believe the summery rally looks likely to continue, it’s a reminder to keep the bigger picture in view.

Get our full analysis on recent market moves:

Market Commentary: Debt Takes Center Stage, From Washington to the AI Buildout After hitting new highs the previous week, stocks pulled back last week as long-term interest rates continued to march higher. The big story was the

Please join us in welcoming Taylor Simpson to the Collective Advisors team! 🎉

As our new Paraplanner, Taylor brings a passion for financial literacy and a talent for making complex financial topics feel approachable. Her leadership, energy, and team-first mindset (shaped in part by her experience as a Division I volleyball player and team captain) make her a natural fit for Collective Advisors.

We’re excited to have Taylor supporting our advisors and helping clients feel more informed, empowered, and confident about their financial futures.

Welcome to the team, Taylor! We can’t wait to see all you accomplish.

Get to know Taylor: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/team-members/taylor-simpson/

Most of us have a picture in our minds of what we want our investments to do for us over time.

But have you ever stopped to think about what those expectations say about how much risk you’re comfortable taking?

Try the Investment Risk Tolerance Quiz to get a better sense of how you think about risk and long-term growth: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/ -section

Before you figure out how much you’ll need for retirement, it helps to know what you’re actually planning for.

Travel? More time with family? New hobbies? Maybe a move somewhere warmer?

And that picture may change as retirement goes on. The active early years can look very different from the years when health, support, and a slower pace become more important.

See how thinking through each phase of retirement can help you plan for the life you want: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/insights/blog/getting-ready-to-retire-how-to-be-fully-prepared/

At first glance, Social Security sounds simple: claim early or wait.

But that one choice can affect your monthly income for the rest of your life. And if you’re married, your decision could affect your spouse’s benefits, too.

Then add taxes, Medicare, longevity, and other sources of retirement income, and there’s a lot more to consider than just picking an age.

See how Social Security may fit into your bigger retirement picture: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/insights/blog/social-security-benefits-whats-your-game-plan/

Fear on Wall Street, Resilience on Main Street

Stocks reached new highs last week.

You might not guess that from how investors are feeling.

Bears have outnumbered bulls for four straight weeks, and retail investors recently sold at one of the fastest clips on record.

Historically, bull markets have tended to end amid euphoria, not when investors are still this nervous.

See why all that caution may be worth paying attention to: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-uncertainty-on-wall-street-resilience-on-main-street/

Retirement readiness comes down to more than a target date.

How much you’ve saved, what you’re still adding, and how your expenses may change can all affect whether your current plan is on track.

Answer six quick questions to see where your retirement plan may need another look: https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/retirement-planning-quiz/

Market performance and investor sentiment don’t always move together.

The first half of 2026 gave investors plenty to think about. Inflation remained a concern. Volatility returned. Geopolitical uncertainty persisted.

Yet markets continued to show resilience.

That gap between how markets perform and how investors feel is one of the themes covered in our Midyear Outlook 2026, along with the factors shaping today’s market environment and what may be worth watching in the months ahead.

Get the bigger picture at midyear by viewing the Carson Group's complete Midyear Outlook Report here:https://www.collectiveadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MidyearOutlook2026_Report_061526.pdf

When people start thinking about retirement, one question usually comes first: Have I saved enough?

But it’s rarely the only question that matters.

Taxes, long-term care, estate planning, and replacing a paycheck for decades can all shape what retirement actually looks like.

Take a closer look at the planning areas that are easy to miss:

Next-Level Retirement Planning: Advanced Retirement Strategies Becoming hyper-focused on only one aspect of a project is rarely a good approach. A racecar driver who only focuses on speed and ignores strategy likely