Looking at broad market indices, emerging markets outperformed developed markets, including the US, in the first quarter.
Non-US real estate investment trusts outperformed US REITs in the first quarter.
Interest rates increased in the US during the first quarter.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note increased to 2.74%.
The amount you can pass without owing estate taxes essentially doubled as of January 1st thanks to the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
This estate tax provision will expire at the end of 2025.
Estate plans based on prior tax law should be re-evaluated to ensure your intentions match the current law.
Older estate plans may ultimately cost your beneficiaries more in taxes and/or unnecessary recordkeeping requirements.
Silence and privacy are the most undervalued assets in a client’s portfolio. We say this to acknowledge an often overlooked facet of investment management and financial planning: client confidentiality. This is something that many financial advisors and even their clients don’t pay enough attention to until it is too late. Is your advisor doing what your advisor should be doing to protect your confidentiality?
Read MoreThe 10 year anniversary of a record S&P 500 high point is upon us, with several other crisis period anniversaries like the Lehman bankruptcy coming in succeeding months.
Reflecting on your experience back then and looking at the recoveries of other financial crises can help prepare you for the next one.
The recent tax proposal would significantly change income taxes, but there are many important provisions that have not been specified.
