Equity markets shot upward out of the gate last week, largely due to news of an agreement on the tax side of the fiscal
cliff debate. The S&P 500 Index gained 4.58 percent, but small-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell 2000 Index, were
the best performers with a gain of more than 5.5 percent. Read more now.
Learn More About New Law Redefinining ‘Independent Contractor’
A new Maine law clarifies the conditions under which a worker should be classified as an employee or as an independent contractor. It also applies the independent contractor standard uniformly across unemployment, wage and hour, and worker’s compensation laws.
The Maine Contractors and Builders Alliance is holding an informational meeting about the new law on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Graffam Brothers Harborside Restaurant in Camden at 5:30 p.m. Call 593-0864 to reserve a spot.
Here is a link to the Maine.gov website about the new law:
http://www.maine.gov/labor/misclass/employment_standard.shtml
Weekly Market Summary – 12/31/2012
Equity markets gave up some ground in the final full week of trading in 2012. Most domestic index losses fell just short of 2
percent. International markets bucked the trend and locked in positive performance, further distancing themselves from domestic
markets for year-to-date performance. Read more now.
New Year’s Holiday Hours
New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31: Closing at 1 p.m.
New Year’s Day, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013: Closed.
Our offices will be open again Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 at 8 a.m.
Weekly Market Summary – 12/27/2012
Despite a large sell-off on Friday, equity markets posted strong gains heading into the home stretch for 2012. The S&P 500 rose 1.21 percent, while small-cap stocks, measured by the Russell 2000 Index, were the biggest winners, gaining more than 3 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average held true to form: it not only lagged on the week but it is behind year-to-date as well. Read more now.
Holiday Hours
Happy Holidays! Our offices will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 24 and 25 and will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 8 a.m.
Here is our schedule for the following week:
- New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31: Closing at noon.
- New Year’s Day, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013: Closed.
- Our offices will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 at 8 a.m.
Weekly Market Summary – 12/17/2012
The Federal Reserve (Fed) announced last week that it will continue purchasing $45 billion in longer-term Treasuries on a monthly basis and discontinue selling short-term securities. In addition, the Fed will continue purchasing $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities per month, considerably expanding its balance sheet.
Welcoming Cale Pickford
Cale Pickford
Cale Pickford has joined Allen Insurance and Financial as a personal and commercial insurance specialist. He will be based in the company’s Camden office.
Previously he held a similar position with Atlantic Insurance and Benefits in Belfast.
Cale is a graduate of Mt. View High School in Thorndike and of Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. Prior to his insurance industry experience, Pickford worked in the securities industry in New York City and in advertising and sales in both New York and St. Thomas, USVI.
Cale and his wife Marisa decided to raise their family in Midcoast Maine, where he grew up. They live in Lincolnville with their two young children.
He is active with area youth sports and the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce and he is a member of the board of directors at Peopleplace Cooperative Preschool in Rockport.
Weekly Market Summary – 12/11/2012
Equity markets were fairly strong last week, as the S&P 500 Index gained 0.20 percent. Weakness in technology-related names,
however, worked to the disadvantage of the Nasdaq Composite, which lost ground on the week. Read more now.
Dan Bookham Passes Maine P&C License Exam
Dan Bookham
Allen Insurance and Financial is pleased to announce that Dan Bookham, commercial insurance producer, has obtained his license to sell property and casualty insurance in the state of Maine.
Bookham joined the company in September 2012 after three years as executive director of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. He participated in the company’s in-house education program, which is available to all employees and took and passed the licensing exam on Dec. 7.
“I credit Allen’s in-house training program,” said Bookham. “It’s heartening to know that I work for a company that invests the same level of care and attention in its employees that it does in its clients.”
Dan can be reached at 236-411 or at dbookham(at)allenif.com
