Month: April 2018

New World… Of Higher Bond Yields

Calling it a “New World” is a bit of an exaggeration but since this week the yield on the 10-year US government bond topped 3% for the first time in four years, it was kind of a big deal in the investing world.

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The 10-year US government bond is a benchmark and indicator for a number of things including: mortgages, companies borrowing to grow, the price of oil … and, yes, stock prices. We all know that the “financial crisis” is now 10 years in the past and for the past 10 years interest rates have been super LOW. This has been both positive and negative for investors. Continue reading “New World… Of Higher Bond Yields”

Onward to Tax Year 2018

Did you finish your taxes? Technically you have until Tuesday, April 17th to file – and pay if you owe – because of Emancipation Day in Washington, DC on Monday, April 16th AND a Sunday being April 15th.

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Last year was bitter-sweet for taxpayers and investors. The stock markets enjoyed gains, gains, gains in 2017 – almost the 9th year in a row – and the economy delivered mostly good things in the way of jobs and incomes. There are always exceptions, of course, but 2017 was mostly a great year economically and investments-wise. So even though you probably paid more in taxes and likely had less investment losses to offset gains, it was a positive year. Remember, rebalancing your portfolio is a critical tool but one that can create taxable gains — and an attentive, qualified adviser will guide you to minimizing inevitable taxes on a profitable portfolio. Continue reading “Onward to Tax Year 2018”

Have You Heard of the “Triple Bottom Line”?

Here is a concept that is super meaningful to EVERY age group, EVERY economic stratum and (hopefully) across the ENTIRE political spectrum: Triple Bottom Line, or “TBL”.

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Source: Wikipedia

For the younger readers, this term is much more familiar and probably even taught in universities for the past decade or two. But for others this term may have gotten lost in the sea of such terms as “synergy,” “social impact,” and “environmentally friendly”. HOWEVER – TBL is the real deal. And we are seeing it at work inside the framework of capitalism as well as “outside” the purely capitalistic-driven world: a growing world where profit matters, BUT not at the expense of people and the environment. Please read on. Continue reading “Have You Heard of the “Triple Bottom Line”?”

Don’t Let Market Volatility Ruin Your Spring Break

Good Morning and Happy Spring Break,

Seriously? Is this what Spring Break is supposed to be about? If you are somewhere in Florida or Hilton Head on vacation and anxiously checking your portfolio… then the answer is NO. On the other hand, if you are on vacation and you know that your Adviser “has your back” and your financial PLAN is in place, then the answer is YES. The latter is the definition of “peace of mind.” Peace of Mind does not always come easy – it takes preparation.

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Continue reading “Don’t Let Market Volatility Ruin Your Spring Break”