Blog

Getting to Know Tricia Marchand: The Person Behind the Planning

Tricia Marchand

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

With over 20 years of experience and a reputation for genuine client care, Tricia Marchand brings both expertise and compassion to Kore Financial Group’s new Baton Rouge office. In this month’s blog, we discuss what motivates her, what...

Inheriting Wealth? Here’s How an Advisor Can Help You Navigate It

Michelle DeRouen, MBA, CSA

Thursday, November 6, 2025

In my decades as an advisor, I have seen how inheriting wealth can feel like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can be exciting because it provides an opportunity to invest in your future, support your family, or pursue...

Smart Tax Moves for Business Owners: Strategies to Consider Before 2026

Matthew Boudreaux, CFP^®

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, many business owners are focused on ending the year strong, but it's also the time to think strategically about taxes. New tax legislation passed this summer makes your year-end decisions even more crucial to...

Why Q3 Market Swings Can Work in Your Favor

Annie Fruge, AAMS®

Monday, September 15, 2025

Every year, we hear the same refrain: “The markets tend to stumble in the third quarter.” Historically, that’s not entirely wrong; Q3 has often been a weaker period for stocks compared to the rest of the year.

5 Key OBBBA Changes You Should Know About

Pamela Moye Manuel, LTCP®

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

This year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brought sweeping tax changes—over 1,000 pages of them. We know that’s a lot, so we zeroed in on the provisions most relevant to tax-intelligent financial planning. The result? A handful...

The Ins and Outs of Beneficiary Designations and Payouts

Michelle DeRouen, MBA, CSA

Monday, July 14, 2025

Let’s talk about something way more exciting than it sounds: beneficiary designations, why they’re so important, and what happens when someone inherits your retirement accounts. Stay with me—this isn’t just paperwork! Setting up the...

Maximizing Your Wins: Attorney Fee Structures for Contingency-Based Attorneys

Matthew Boudreaux, CFP®

Monday, June 2, 2025

Every attorney knows that a winning case starts with a solid strategy. When advising contingency-based attorneys on how to maximize their settlements, I adopt a similar approach.

Pass the Torch: Succession Planning for Small Business Owners

Annie Fruge, AAMS®

Thursday, May 1, 2025

May is Small Business Month, a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs and business owners who drive our local economy and support our communities. As a small business ourselves, we know you have likely invested years of hard work into...

Your Complete Guide to Retirement Planning: Tax Tips, Withdrawal Strategies, and Income Sources

Pamela Moye Manuel, LTCP®

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Retirement planning is a vital aspect of financial management that aims to make it possible for you to enjoy your golden years without financial stress. As a tax-focused financial advisor, I work to provide my clients with valuable insights

Your Guide to Selecting a Financial Advisor: What Matters Most

Michelle DeRouen, MBA, CSA

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

When it comes to financial planning, choosing the right advisor is crucial. With so many available options, it can be hard to know what to look for to ensure you partner with someone who aligns with your goals and values.

Protecting What Matters Most: Strategic Family Risk Management and Insurance Planning

Annie Fruge, AAMS®

Monday, February 3, 2025

Managing family risk to help ensure financial stability is crucial for safeguarding your family's future. It is also an important pillar of any holistic financial plan.

5 Tax-Intelligent Strategies to Maximize Returns and Minimize Burdens

Matthew Boudreaux, CFP®

Thursday, January 2, 2025

As we look to another tax season as financial advisors, we often assist clients as they seek ways to optimize their investment returns while minimizing their tax burden. By understanding how to build a tax-efficient investment strategy...

Wrap Up the Year Right: Financial Planning Tips for a Strong Start to the New Year

Pamela Moye Manuel, LTCP®

Thursday, December 5, 2024

December is here, meaning a new year is just around the corner. The end of the year is a busy time with shopping, traveling, and holiday gatherings. However, it's important to set aside some time to complete your year-end financial...

Get to Know Michelle DeRouen

Michelle DeRouen, MBA, CSA

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

As you may have heard, we recently welcomed Michelle DeRouen, MBA, CSA, Senior Financial Advisor, to the Kore Financial Group team. Michelle is a seasoned advisor who has worked in the field for more than 20 years. We are thrilled she...

Retire Wisely: A Retirement Plan Guide for Business Owners

Annie Fruge, AAMS®

Monday, October 21, 2024

As a financial advisor who also operates within a small business, I understand that navigating retirement plans for business owners and their employees can be a complex topic. And sometimes, I see retirement planning falling to the...

Should You Refinance When the Fed Cuts Interest Rates? Here’s What to Consider.

Matthew Boudreaux, CFP®

Thursday, September 19, 2024

After a long stretch of higher interest rates, the Federal Reserve recently announced a rate cut. Many homeowners consider refinancing their mortgages to capture monthly savings when this happens. While lower rates can offer...

It’s an Election Year: What to Know About Investments and the Markets

Pamela Moye Manuel, LTCP®

Monday, August 5, 2024

We are amid another presidential election year, and as an advisor who has guided clients through nearly eight presidential elections in my professional career, I often get asked how elections influence investments and the broader...

How to Align Your Investment Portfolio with Your Financial Goals

Annie Fruge, AAMS®

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

A major aspect of any financial plan includes an investment strategy. These strategies can take many forms and one of the most critical aspects of financial management is aligning your investment portfolio with your individual risk...

Tips for Essential Finance Conversations Between Parents and Adult Children

Matthew Boudreaux, CFP®

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

As a financial advisor and father, I’ve often found myself at the crossroads of professional insight and personal experience as I think about sharing my experience about finance with my children as they grow into young adults. I often...

Education Planning: Tips for Smart Saving

Matthew Boudreaux, CFP®

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Prepare for your child's future education expenses with our latest blog post. Learn how to start saving early, choose the right savings vehicle, set realistic goals, and explore alternative education paths.

Estate Tax Law Changes—and How You Can Navigate Them

Pamela Moye Manuel, LTCP®

Friday, April 12, 2024

By now, you've likely heard about the imminent changes to estate and gift tax laws set to take effect at the end of 2025 due to the sun-setting provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. While Congress may extend some provisions,...

After 50 years in financial services, our own Stephen Moore has decided to retire after a successful and memorable career as a CPA and financial advisor. Over the years, Stephen worked as a CPA and CFO, earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL...

Tax Season Discoveries: When to Contact a Financial Advisor

Annie Fruge, AAMS®

Thursday, March 7, 2024

As we dive headfirst into tax season, the annual ritual of collecting receipts and deciphering complex forms is upon us. While this may be typical for this time of year, tax season can present key findings that could significantly...

3 Reasons Your Financial Plan Should Be Tax-Intelligent

Matthew Boudreaux, CFP®

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

A cohesive, centralized financial plan should consider more than just your goals for retirement, family education needs, and personal property goals. Here are three reasons why your plan should also be tax-intelligent.

Introducing: Kore Financial Group

Pamela Moye Manuel, LTCP®

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

We are proud to announce the launch of our new brand, Kore Financial Group! We want to share the inspiration behind and meaning of our new brand and the benefits it brings to our clients and community. Since the firm began more than 15...

YOUR 4% WITHDRAWAL STRATEGY MAY NOT BE ENOUGH Get the Tax Guidance You Need to Help Live the Retirement You Desire There’s a lot of concern among industry experts about whether the popular 4% withdrawal rule can provide enough income...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks surged last week, ignited by another COVID-19 vaccine announcement, encouraging economic data, and the easing of political uncertainty.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall StreetDespite news of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate, stocks were mixed amid investor anxiety over an increase in new infections and economic lockdowns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.73%, while the...

The Week on Wall Street News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks soared last week as investors anticipated that a split Congress would raise legislative hurdles to changing corporate taxes and adjusting regulatory oversight of big technology companies.The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall Street Stock prices dropped last week as hopes for a fiscal stimulus bill faded and investors focused on rising COVID-19 infections, here and abroad. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.47%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall Street The failure to reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill soured investor sentiment and sent stocks modestly lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks treaded water last week amid fading prospects for a stimulus bill, fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, and increasing political and regulatory pressures on Big Tech companies.The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks staged a powerful rally last week, riding a wave of optimism over the prospect of the passage of a new fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings....

The Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

The Week on Wall Street A late week sell-off sent stocks broadly lower as investors took some profits after stocks reached all-time highs earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.82%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate. The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%...

The Week on Wall StreetOverlooking stalled efforts by Congress to pass a new fiscal stimulus bill, stocks marched higher last week with the Dow Jones Industrials leading the way and the NASDAQ Composite setting multiple fresh record...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week amid a busy week of earnings, some troubling economic data, and seemingly little progress on a new fiscal stimulus package.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor's 500...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%,...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the...

The Week on Wall StreetIn a holiday-shortened week, stock prices turned higher as encouraging economic data outweighed an increase in COVID-19 cases and a rollback in economic re-openings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.25%,...

The Week on Wall StreetA jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%,...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks moved higher last week on news of more Federal Reserve market support and diminished concerns that new COVID-19 cases might lead to another economic shutdown. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.04%,...

The Week on Wall StreetInvestor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall StreetA positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall StreetThe shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard &...

The Week on Wall StreetUpbeat comments by the Federal Reserve Chairman and more signs of an economic turnaround combined to help fuel a powerful rally in the stock market last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.29%, while...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%,...

The Week on Wall StreetDespite a historic downturn in employment, stocks managed to climb higher last week as investors were emboldened by the pace of economic re-openings, both here and abroad.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices ended the week slightly lower, despite news of positive results from a test trial of a COVID-19 drug treatment and several states easing their economic lockdowns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices bounced around last week as investors reacted to wild swings in the price of oil and reports that called into question the efficacy of two potential virus treatments.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices pushed higher last week as news of a White House plan to reopen the economy and reports of a potential COVID-19 treatment helped the market overcome weak economic data and an ugly start to the...

The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market staged a broad rally this week, buoyed by the prospect that COVID-19's grip on the nation may be easing and news of another Federal Reserve program to help stabilize businesses.The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall StreetModest declines in stock prices this week masked the volatile inter- and intraday price swings as investors digested poor economic data and a warning from the president that the worst days of the COVID-19...

An open-ended commitment by the Federal Reserve to support American businesses and capital markets along with the passage of a $2 trillion aid package improved investor sentiment and drove a strong rally in stock prices. The Dow Jones...

The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market suffered through another volatile week as it wrestled with the health and economic fallout of the domestic spread of the coronavirus. Swift and decisive actions by the Federal Reserve and policy...

The Week on Wall StreetMarkets remained exceptionally volatile, buffeted by the spreading impact of coronavirus, uncertain responses from federal policymakers, and the sudden drop in oil prices.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 10...

The Week on Wall StreetHeightened coronavirus fears, falling yields, and Super Tuesday primary results sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride of sharp price swings, leaving stocks marginally higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks fell sharply last week as Wall Street considered how the coronavirus outbreak might influence global business activity and household spending.The selloff became a correction for the U.S. markets. The S&P...

The Week on Wall StreetTraders paid close attention to coronavirus developments and earnings last week, while wondering how the former might eventually impact the latter. Concern over updated infection numbers moderated risk appetite.A...

The Week on Wall StreetDaily headlines about the coronavirus had little impact on stock market averages last week. Earnings and mergers had more influence. All three Wall Street benchmarks improved. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.21%,...

The Week on Wall StreetStocks advanced four days out of five during the past market week, erasing the losses of the week before. The Nasdaq Composite surged 4.04%, the S&P 500 3.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 3.00%. Foreign...

The Week on Wall StreetStock benchmarks declined for a second straight week as coronavirus news tempered risk appetite.The S&P 500 fell 2.14% on the week. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 1.76%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 2.55%....

The Week on Wall StreetStock prices fell last week as investors considered the potential health and economic risks of the flu-like coronavirus.Foreign stock markets, as tracked by the broad MSCI EAFE index, fell 1.03% for the week....

The Week on Wall StreetTraders were in an upbeat mood last week, reacting to news out of Washington: the signing of the phase-one trade deal between the U.S. and China as well as the Senate passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement...

The Week on Wall StreetThe market had a choppy five days, with traders reacting to geopolitical developments and weaker-than-expected jobs data. Even so, the three major U.S. equity indices posted weekly gains and continued their...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks descended from record highs Friday, as traders reacted to a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran's top military officer. Oil prices rose more than 3% following the breaking news.[1] Wall Street benchmarks...

What Drove the Markets? Four factors influenced investment performance in 2019: a shift in U.S. monetary policy, the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China, earnings, and the economy. Stocks reached record highs in 2019. The...

The Week on Wall Street The U.S. and China announced a limited trade agreement last week. That news lifted U.S. and foreign stocks, leading to weekly gains. Advancing 0.91% on the week, the Nasdaq Composite outperformed the S&P 500...

The Week on Wall Street Key Wall Street benchmarks were up and down last week – or rather down and then up. A Tuesday retreat was offset by a Friday rally spurred by the Department of Labor’s November jobs report. While the S&P 500...

The Week on Wall Street As November wrapped up, U.S. equity benchmarks advanced. Stocks were again aided by a sense of optimism that a preliminary U.S.-China trade deal could be near. For the week, the Nasdaq Composite added 1.87%;...

The Week on Wall Street Stocks declined last week as mixed signals emerged about the progress of U.S.-China trade negotiations. The three major Wall Street benchmarks all took weekly losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0...

The Week on Wall StreetStock benchmarks were little changed for much of last week, but a rally occurred Friday after news broke that the U.S. and China could be closing in on the first phase of a new trade pact. At Friday's close, the...

The Week on Wall Street Domestic and international stocks rose last week. Risk appetite outweighed concerns about the state of U.S.-China trade discussions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, and MSCI EAFE...