Insight
+Q1 2024 Wealth Strategy Insights
Orchestrating Wealth: The Harmonious Symphony of Multigenerational Wealth Management
by Rus Miller, Director of Family Office Services
In the world of investment management, where the pursuit of financial excellence often dominates the discourse, the notion of entrusting the role of Chief Investment Officer (CIO) to an individual with a degree in music composition may appear unconventional, perhaps even audacious... (read more)
+Q1 2024 Review & Outlook
Strong Fundamentals Propel Stocks to New Highs
by Chris Broderick, Research and Trading Director
The momentum from the 2023 rally carried into the first quarter of 2024, fueled by an investor-friendly blend of steady economic growth, falling inflation, and expectations of Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts... (read more)
+Q4 2023 Wealth Strategy Insights
Secure Act 2.0 and Future Changes in 2024
by Roselyn Siino, CFP®, Wealth Planner
You may have heard about the passage of the SECURE Act 2.0 in December 2022, which introduced several changes to tax laws. Some of these changes have already taken effect, while others are scheduled for implementation in 2024 and beyond. Here is a summary of key modifications... (read more)
+Q4 2023 Outlook & Review
The Fourth Quarter: Summary and Market Outlook
by Chris Broderick, Research and Trading Director
Markets staged an impressive reversal in the fourth quarter, driven by a surprising dovish pivot by the Federal Reserve (Fed), coupled with solid economic activity and a continued decline in inflation... (read more)
+Q3 2023 Wealth Strategy Insights
Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP)
by Rick Ashburn, CFA, EA
An Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) is classified as a type of option program under tax law. An ESPP grants employees the right to buy company stock at a computed price, at some future date. The market price (FMV) used to compute the discount is often determined on the offer date – the date the option was granted. (Some plans compute the discount and the strike price on the purchase date.) An ESPP option granted at a 15% discount to a then-FMV of $100 can be used to purchase...(read more)
+Q3 2023 Outlook & Review
** The Third Quarter: Impact of Higher Interest Rates on Stocks**
by Chris Broderick, Research and Trading Director
The S&P 500 began the third quarter on a positive note, mirroring its second-quarter performance with gains.1 However, concerns arose in August and September due to rising bond yields and worries about a potential economic slowdown. As a result, the S&P 500 ended the quarter with a modest loss, while still maintaining...(read more)
+Q2 2023 Wealth Strategy Insights
Mid-Year Financial Planning Check-Up: Tips for a Stronger Future
by Roselyn Siino, CFP®, Wealth Planner
As we reach the halfway point of the year, it's a perfect time to conduct a financial planning check-up. Here are some essential tips to consider:
Revisit Your Spending
Maintaining a budget and sticking to it can be challenging. However, reviewing your credit card and bank statements...(read more)
+Q2 2023 Outlook & Review
Declining Inflation and Resilient Growth Push Stocks Higher in Q2
**by Chris Broderick, Research and Trading Director **
Stocks in the second quarter1 experienced solid gains as inflation declined and growth remained resilient. The S&P 5002 and other major indices performed well following the Federal Reserve's pause in rate hikes, better-than-expected corporate earnings, and the resolution... (read more)
+Q1 2023 Wealth Strategy Insights
Chatting with AI: Can it review its own investment potential?
by Rick Ashburn, Principal
As each quarter-end approaches, we survey our colleagues for timely newsletter topics. I volunteered to write an article about the investment potential of artificial intelligence (AI). The topic from my peers was along the lines of, “Write an article from the perspective of a wealth manager about the investment potential of AI.”... (read more)
+Q1 2023 Outlook & Review
Markets Show Resilience To Start 2023, Despite Continued Uncertainty
by Chris Broderick, Research & Trading Director
If 2021’s predominant market theme was inflation and 2022’s was the impact of rising interest rates on asset prices in response, the theme so far in 2023 has been volatility. Boosted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report of continuing declines in inflation at the end of 2022, markets began... (read more)