Insights
Drawing on our deep industry knowledge, we assist clients with access to a wealth of insights and educational resources. Here, you can gain valuable perspectives on current market dynamics and explore our comprehensive retirement resources, offering a collection of financial planning, wealth management, and investment strategies.
Under the Big Top
Hi everybody, I hope you had a great summer. Today I’m going to talk about something that’s been in the news quite a bit and, to an extent, what is driving the financial markets right now. Yes, we know about the upcoming midterms, the geopolitical chaos and the worries about AI running wild. In the
A Lesson on Patience I Learned from My Dad
Today I’m going to talk about some investment lessons I learned from my Dad. My Dad passed away about 20 years ago. He was a hard working man who gained common sense from experience. I learned a lot from him. I learned about persistence, enthusiasm, and that your word is your bond. He taught me
New Mandate for All Employers in California
If you own a business in CA and currently do not offer an employer-sponsored retirement plan (such as a SEP, SIMPLE, 401(k), etc.), take note that as of July 1, 2019, CA has implemented the mandatory CalSavers program. While CA hasn’t always been a friend to business owners, the good news is that the new
Understanding Net Unrealized Appreciation
Employer stock held within an employer retirement plan is eligible for favorable tax treatment on the “Net Unrealized Appreciation” (NUA) of the stock if certain requirements are met. NUA is the difference between the cost basis and current value which is the unrealized capital gain. However, the tax treatment received on a sale of employer
Spring 2019 Financial Newsletter
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The Genie and the Market
When I was in the 6th grade, I remember writing a report on John Calhoun. He was the vice president under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson from 1825 to 1832. He wouldn’t make it as a pillar of society today because of his views, but he made an interesting observation that I want to share:
Don’t Expect an “Average” Market Return in 2019 (Or Any Other Year)
When we hear about annual long-term equity returns, quoted figures typically range between 8 and 12% depending upon the type of equities under evaluation (i.e. large cap vs. small cap, growth vs. value, foreign vs. domestic, etc.). Interestingly, the average return is typically not achieved in any given calendar year. Reviewing historical annual returns of
The Markets: Wouldn’t It Be Nice
When I was driving home the other day, I was listening to the radio and that old Beach Boys tune, Wouldn’t it Be Nice was playing. You know, “wouldn’t it be nice if we were older”…you know the song. I remember thinking yeah, wouldn’t it be nice if the stock market acted like it did
A History of Bear Markets Since 1929
The U.S. stock market (measured by the S&P 500*) recently entered into bear market territory for the first time since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. A bear market is classified as a 20% drop from its peak. The S&P 500 saw this peak on September 21, 2018 as it skyrocketed to an intraday high of
What to Do When You Have a Baby
My wife and I recently welcomed our second child into our family. Cora is a sweet and easy-going baby. I have heard they grow fast and seeing it first hand, it is true. Having a child is a good time to reflect about family, the future, and thinking about the financial items to address as
