Powers advisory group

Simplifying the Complex

Welcome to

Powers Advisory Group

We are an independent Registered Investment Advisor committed to providing unbiased, straightforward financial advice. 

FIDUCIARY FINANCIAL ADVISOR NEAR ME

2014

Firm Established

100+

Combined Years Experience

17

Number of States Served

Who We Are

Based in Highland, IL - and serving clients nationwide - we help individuals, businesses, and institutions develop, implement, and maintain personalized investment and savings strategies. Our goal is to understand your needs and provide the guidance to achieve your financial goals.

The Fiduciary Difference

As a fiduciary firm, we are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interests at all times. This means that every recommendation we make, every strategy we develop, and every investment we advise is based solely on what is best for you - not influenced by commissions or conflicts of interest. 

RECENT APPEARANCES

National Media


We understand that navigating the complexities of the financial markets can be challenging. That's why we make it a priority to keep you informed with thoughtful commentary on key trends, market movements, and the strategies that could impact your financial goals.

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Our Services

What We Do

From complex investment options to ever-changing tax laws, making informed financial decisions is often challenging. That’s where we come in. Our mission is to provide you with the clarity and confidence you need to navigate your financial journey.

Investment Management
From years of experience, we’ve learned simplicity is key, so we create and manage investment portfolios tailored to your unique needs.
Financial Planning
We take a collaborative, client-focused approach to financial planning, prioritizing your best interests as fiduciary advisors.
Business Retirement Plans
We offer tailored retirement plan services, including consulting, planning, and investment management, to align your business’s strategy with its financial goals.

Our insights

Articles and Commentary

July 2, 2025
Markets Are Up - Even If the Headlines Don’t Feel That Way It’s been really easy to miss since it happened so fast, but our job is to keep you in the loop. Over the last few months, the U.S. stock market demonstrated remarkable resilience as it rebounded sharply from the tariff driven lows in April to setting fresh record highs for the S&P 500 the last few trading days. Climbing more than 20% from its recent bottom, the rally has surprised many investors and once again highlighted the market's ability to recover, even when there is plenty in the news to give you pause. While markets can be prone to irrational swings in the short run, over time, they often reflect broader economic trends. Right now, investors seem to be looking past daily headlines and focusing instead on longer-term drivers: the AI transformation, central bank support, gradual progress on trade, and a generally stable global economic outlook. So far, the only formal trade agreement signed this year has been with the U.K., one of America’s strongest allies. An important step, but a limited one. With the broader trade picture still evolving and a July 9th tariff deadline hanging in the background, trade policy remains a wildcard that could reintroduce volatility. On top of that, economic data is mixed. First-quarter GDP showed contraction, consumer spending has been uneven, and the federal deficit continues to grow. Moody’s recent downgrade of U.S. government debt added to the concern, raising the potential for higher borrowing costs for US taxpayers. Additionally, tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalation between Israel and Iran, create more geopolitical risk. Still, investors have largely stayed the course. Bond markets, unlike in 2022, are doing their part to stabilize portfolios. International equities have awakened from their decade-long slumber and are showing signs of leadership, suggesting that investors are beginning to look more globally for opportunities. As we all know, markets don’t move in a straight line, and plenty of risks remain. But this recent rally is a useful reminder: staying invested, especially during periods of uncertainty, often proves to be the right call. Maintaining a long-term perspective, diversifying across asset classes, and resisting the urge to react emotionally remain cornerstones of investing. Stay invested, even when it doesn’t “feel good” in the moment. Here's why... If you invested $10,000 in the S&P 500 from 2005 to 2024, you would’ve returned over 10% per year. But if you missed the best 10 days, your return would have averaged 6.1% annually. Six of the seven best days for the S&P 500, over that 20-year period, occurred after one of the worst 10 days. That is truly the power of staying invested. As always, if you have questions or concerns about your individual situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
April 17, 2025
Below is a link to a recent BBC article - that we had the honor of being interviewed for - with commentary from us on what the tariffs could mean to Nike and the footwear industry: BBC - Nike and Tariffs
April 11, 2025
What a Week: Let’s Unpack It It’s been a roller coaster in the markets this week - sharp declines, sharp rebounds, and a fair bit of investor whiplash. But amid the headlines and volatility, there are a few key themes worth highlighting. Equity Markets The biggest jolt came midweek when markets staged a strong bounce on Wednesday. What changed? President Trump announced a 90-day pause on proposed tariffs, easing tensions and giving the market a breather. That news helped shift sentiment, and we saw equities snap back after several tough sessions. This week, the S&P 500 surged over 9%. However, since the tariff announcement after market close on April 2nd, the index remains down more than 5%. Bond Market On the fixed income side, the bond market is telling its own story. The 10-year Treasury yield has been rising, signaling renewed expectations around inflation, future Fed moves, or simply a re-pricing of risk. For investors with balanced portfolios, this matters - rising yields affect not just bonds, but also equity valuations and borrowing costs. Volatility Finally, it’s worth remembering that volatility, while uncomfortable, has often paved the way for strong market recoveries. Historically, when the CBOE Volatility Index ’VIX’ (which simply shows how concerned investors are about the stock market going up and down in the near future) spikes above 40, a level it hit earlier this week, the S&P 500 has averaged a 30% gain over the following 12 months, with a 95% likelihood of a positive return. The VIX reached as high as 60 midweek before pulling back to around 44 by early Friday. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, it does offer helpful perspective during turbulent times. Keeping Perspective At times like these, it’s important to remember that market volatility is not unusual and it’s part of the investing. As always, we’re keeping a pulse on the market, keeping our long-term view in mind while watching for short-term shifts. If the recent swings have raised questions or you’d just like to talk through your portfolio, we’re here. Don’t hesitate to reach out. Sometimes a quick conversation can go a long way in bringing clarity and confidence. We also know this kind of market movement can feel unsettling - and you're not alone in that. Just know that we’re here for you, and we’re always ready to talk things through whenever you need.
April 4, 2025
Markets Took a Hit Yesterday and They're Still Sliding Today. Here's What to Know. The markets had a tough day yesterday and unfortunately, the selling hasn’t let up much today either. To recap: on Thursday, the Dow fell about 1,500 points (roughly 3.5%), while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were down 4% and 5%, respectively. The Russell 2000, which tracks smaller companies, dropped nearly 6% and officially dipped into bear market territory. Today, markets are still under pressure as investors digest the impact of what sparked all this: a sweeping new round of tariffs announced by President Trump. What’s Going On? President Trump rolled out a plan to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from over 180 countries. The goal, according to the administration, is to level the playing field claiming that many countries charge the U.S. more to import goods than we charge them. Here’s the short version: A 10% baseline tariff applies broadly, but many countries are facing much higher rates. China is now subject to a 54% total tariff when you include previous rounds. The EU is hit with a 20% tariff, Japan 24%, India 26%, and Vietnam tops the list at 46%. Others, like the U.K., Brazil, Singapore, and Australia, are seeing the baseline 10%. The market wasn’t expecting anything this aggressive, and the sharp reaction reflects concerns about rising costs, slower global trade, and the potential for an economic slowdown. Who’s Getting Hit the Hardest? Some sectors and companies are feeling the pain more than others: Retailers that rely on cheap imports saw massive drops Big international players like Apple fell hard as well, even if their direct exposure to tariffs is limited. Tech in general is having a rough stretch, as it usually does during high-volatility periods. Smaller companies, especially those more exposed to cost swings, were heavily sold off. That said, not everything was red: Real estate investment trusts (REITs) held up better than most. With bond yields falling, some investors shifted into interest rate–sensitive sectors like real estate. International companies with minimal exposure to the U.S. weathered the storm relatively well. Fixed income has held up relatively well considering a drop in the 10-year treasury rate touching 4%. What Happens Next? That’s the big question and part of the reason markets are still sliding today. There’s a lot of uncertainty around how long these tariffs will last, whether other countries will retaliate (China already has with a 34% tariff announced today) and how all of this plays into inflation, interest rates, and the broader economy. Bottom line: we’re in wait-and-see mode, and markets don’t love uncertainty. What Should Investors Do? Here’s our advice: don’t panic. Sharp drops like this can be unsettling, but they’re not unusual and reacting emotionally usually does more harm than good. During times like this, it can be difficult to see through the uncertainty. Something to keep in mind….Since 1975, the 50 best stock market days were preceded by an average market decline of 6.7% over one month and 10.2% over two months. If you’re a long-term investor, days like these are part of the journey. And if you’ve got cash on the sidelines, there may be some solid buying opportunities emerging. And if you’re unsure what your next move should be? That’s okay, too. Sometimes the smartest play is to sit tight, stay diversified, and not let short-term noise throw you off your long-term plan. As always, if you want to talk through what’s going on or explore any opportunities, we’re just a call or message away.

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