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Market Insights
We cover the markets, the economy, and the decisions that affect your retirement, including Social Security, Roth conversions, and RMDs.
[Will Allen] is so knowledgeable and insightful about the financial markets, yet can present it in a way that is easy for anyone to understand.
- Ernie Moore
Client Review


Making $500K and Still Living Paycheck to Paycheck?
A new Goldman Sachs survey found 37% of people earning $500,000 or more say they’re living paycheck to paycheck. We look at why, plus how stocks are hitting record highs even as interest rates climb.

Will Allen
7 days ago18 min read


10-Year Treasury Hits 5% While the Fed Hikes Rates
The 10-year Treasury hit 5% and the Fed hiked rates. We explain why we think the hike was a mistake and what the inflation data actually shows.

Will Allen
Sep 1716 min read


Will Allen on SiriusXM: Cash Flow, Per Diem, and Social Security
Will joined Dan Ronan on SiriusXM's On the Move for two segments on financial resilience in the trucking industry. Saving on an income that swings month to month, a per diem tradeoff most drivers never hear about, and what the 2032 date means when your earnings record has holes in it.

Will Allen
Sep 73 min read


Social Security’s Trust Fund Runs Dry in 2032: What Actually Happens
The trust fund is now projected to be depleted in 2032. Here is what that actually means for benefits, and why longer-term rates matter now.

Will Allen
Sep 318 min read


The $40 Trillion Debt Problem, But Earnings Are Soaring
The U.S. is about to cross $40 trillion in debt. In this video, we go back to 1980 to show how we got here, who is responsible, and what it now costs us every year just to pay the interest. We have charts on this you will not see anywhere else, including one that we think points to the real source of the problem. Then we turn to the surge in company profits that has been driving the stock market for much of this year. The large cap story has been well covered, but the more in

Will Allen
Aug 2017 min read


What Age Should You Start Social Security?
When should you actually start Social Security? We get into what a breakeven age really tells you, what it leaves out, and why the higher earner's decision matters more than most people realize. Plus how Trump accounts, UTMAs, and 529s stack up for kids and grandkids.

Will Allen
Aug 1425 min read


S&P 500 All-Time High: Q2 Earnings & Big Tech Blowout
The S&P 500 just hit a new all-time high, driven by blockbuster earnings. A look at the standouts, the hyperscalers, and what happened before the rally.

Will Allen
Aug 618 min read


2026 Midyear Update: Stocks Up, Small Cap Comeback, Silver Mania Ends
The S&P 500 rose 9.5% in the first half of 2026 while the Magnificent Seven fell 2.5%, small caps surged 22%, silver crashed 53% from its mania peak, oil round tripped, and the jobs market turned. Sentara Capital's full midyear breakdown.

Will Allen
Jul 919 min read


Spotting Parabolic Moves: Warsh Fed Update & SpaceX IPO
Chip stocks like Micron have gone parabolic, running from $100 to $1,200 in just over a year on AI demand. We break down what a parabolic move is, how today's chart compares to past manias in silver, Bitcoin, and 1990s tech, plus the SpaceX IPO pullback, Fed Chair Warsh's first meeting, and the health of the U.S. consumer.

Will Allen
Jun 2517 min read


SpaceX IPO Frenzy: The $1.75 Trillion Question
The SpaceX IPO starts trading this Friday at a $1.75 trillion valuation — almost 20 times the size of Facebook's debut. In this market update, I break down what the hype is really about, what a 95x sales multiple means for investors, and what two decades of history tell us about stocks that go public at extreme valuations. Plus, May's jobs report more than doubled expectations, and S&P 500 profits are on pace for their most impressive year in 25 years.

Will Allen
Jun 1115 min read


What's Your Retirement "Magic Number"?
Most people chasing a retirement "magic number" are asking the wrong question. Here's why your spending number matters more — plus how Roth conversions, RMDs, and the SpaceX IPO factor into smart planning.

Will Allen
Jun 419 min read


Rates Up, Oil Up, Inflation Up… So Is the Economy
The 10-year Treasury broke above 4.5%, oil tops $100, and inflation is hot—but the economy is defying expectations. Here's what it means for investors.

Will Allen
May 2113 min read


Is AI Really Killing Jobs?
The narrative that AI is killing jobs is everywhere — but the data tells a different story. We look at software developer job postings, what executives are actually saying about AI on earnings calls, and jobless claims at their lowest since the 1960s. Plus Q1 earnings crushing estimates at 27% growth, gas prices, interest rates, and retail spending hitting a one-year high.

Will Allen
May 71 min read


Another V-Shaped Recovery For Stocks
The S&P 500 fully recovered from the Iran selloff. Plus, new Section 530A "Trump accounts" go live July 4th — here's what every family needs to know.

Will Allen
Apr 231 min read


March Jobs Report a Blockbuster — But Consider the Revisions
The March jobs report looked strong on the surface — but a deeper look at revisions, labor force trends, and the real state of the consumer tells a more complete story. Plus, we tackle the biggest myths about the middle class, foreign investment, and the U.S. dollar.

Will Allen
Apr 91 min read


Navigating Section 530A "Trump Accounts": A Guide for Multigenerational Wealth Planning
Section 530A accounts — known as Trump Accounts — became law in 2025. Here's how they work, who's eligible, and what grandparents need to know before funding one for a child or grandchild.

Will Allen
Mar 303 min read
I have been a client with Sentara for over 10 years and I am very happy with them. One of the best things about them is they keep up regular communication, through in-person meetings. Their YouTube posts are great for informing us about current trends and their effect on investments.
- Leona Paccione
Client Review
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