2017

Recently, congress passed the biggest overhaul of the tax code since 1986. As far as year-end planning, here are a few reminders on planning opportunities: Ordinary Income – in situations where you have flexibility to control the timing between 2017 and 2018, in most cases recognizing this next year will allow you to benefit from lower marginal tax rates. State and Local Income Taxes – given the cap being implemented on state and local taxes as a deduction beginning in 2018, you would benefit from the prepayment of any state and local taxes by December 31, 2017. Charity – For…

Policy Normalization on Target:  Despite a pair of more dovish dissenters, the FOMC voted to raise the target range for the Fed Funds rate to 1.25% to 1.50%.  This 25 bps hike was well-telegraphed and completely expected by the market, with a recent implied probability of action very near 100%.  Having undershot their own expectations in 2015 and 2016, the FOMC achieved its projected path of normalization for the year.  Beyond rate increases, it’s notable to mention the quantitative tightening policy that began reducing the Fed’s $4.5 trillion stockpile of assets in October.  The pace of this roll-off will escalate…

Global Economy: An active month saw both the House and the Senate narrowly passing tax reform measures, while the President formally nominated the next Fed Chair. Tax reform is not a done deal, as Congressional leaders will attempt to come up with a compromise that will suit both chambers. Valuations and volatility, or the lack thereof, seem to be priced for successful and meaningful tax reform on the corporate side of the ledger. While Jerome Powell is viewed as the “continuity candidate,” a notable degree of turnover at the Fed happens to coincide with the unwinding of what is, arguably,…

Global Economy: Common measures of US economic health continue to be positive, with 3Q-17 real gross domestic product (GDP) initially estimated at 3.0%.  Surveys around consumer sentiment and manufacturing ended at multi-year highs, and retail sales posted the best month-over-month results in two and a half years.  That said, Core PCE, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of price inflation, remained depressed at just 1.3% on a year-over-year basis.  The latest meeting minutes acknowledged that recent inflation weakness may stem from “the influence of developments that could prove more persistent.” The unemployment rate dropped to a 17-year low of 4.1% in…

What’s Your High-Net-Worth Personality? Here’s why you need to know As a successful person with big goals, you require truly valuable financial advice that maximizes your ability to achieve your most important personal and professional financial objectives. That means you need to work with professionals who connect with you. Who relate to you. Who understand you well enough to really “get” what you want your money to accomplish and why. To get advice that works, it’s important to understand your own high-net-worth personality so you can select and work with advisors who are an ideal match. What is a high-net-worth…

Global Economy: Backward-looking economic signals continue to be positive, with 2Q-17 real gross domestic product (GDP) revised up to 3.1%.  While manufacturing and producer surveys remained positive, core PCE, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of price inflation, moved down to 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in September, even as nonfarm payrolls unexpectedly declined by 33,000, the first monthly subtraction in seven years.  The impact of hurricanes Harvey and Irma largely explains the drop, which is subject to revision and final reporting.  Average hourly earnings increased by 2.9% year-over-year, matching a post-recession high established in…

Equifax recently announced that between mid-May and July 2017, over 143 million American consumers’ sensitive financial information was exposed. Since Equifax tracks the financial data for so many Americans, there is a high likelihood that your personal information has been exposed. Here are 10 steps to take today to protect yourself. 1. Specifically, for this breach: a. Visit Equifax’s website, www.equifaxsecurity2017.com, and find out if you were exposed by clicking on the “Potential Impact” tab and entering your last name and last 6 digits of your social security number. b. If you find out your information was exposed, follow the…

Please find the next blog in our monthly series that provides timely market data as well as perspectives on the current state of the economy and the global financial markets. Global Economy: Themes of mild inflation, moderate growth, low unemployment and persistently low volatility are shared around the globe, even as North Korea continues its provocative pursuit of nuclear capability.  In the US, Hurricane Harvey’s impact will be felt in the short run, particularly as it relates to the energy markets and productivity, although expectations are high that Houston recovers well. Congress took its summer recess, but returns to work…

Please find the next blog in our monthly series that provides timely market data as well as perspectives on the current state of the economy and the global financial markets. Global Economy: The global economy finds itself unusually calm, despite being surrounded by several strong currents.  As it relates specifically to the US, there has been inconsistent economic data combined with unfolding political developments.  The Commerce Department provided the advance release of 2Q-17 real gross domestic product (GDP), suggesting accelerated consumption and non-residential investment produced annualized growth of 2.6%.  While this more than doubles the 1Q-17 reading, it was accompanied…