December 13, 2018 The Risk of De-Risking by Paul Robertson, John McLaughlin With the stock market’s recent volatility, now may seem like a good time to take profits and wait on the sidelines until the proverbial dust settles. After all, the bull market has persisted for nearly 10 years, the US Federal Reserve continues to raise rates, and global economic growth is decelerating (albeit modestly). Throw in an ongoing trade war and pockets of political turmoil, and taking profits may seem like a sensible strategy in these uncertain times. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 13, 2018 Learn About Investing—You Can’t Afford Not To by Beata Kirr, Tara Thompson Popernik Investing can be overwhelming. The wide array of choices and technical jargon paralyze some investors, while the market’s gyrations scare others off. It’s easy to avoid spending time learning how to invest, but doing nothing can be harmful. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 12, 2018 Initial Disruptors Don’t Always Make Good Investments by Paul Robertson As investors we sometimes need to differentiate good companies from good stocks. They are not always the same. And sometimes, even good companies don’t make good investments. Valuation matters, and when they trade at lofty levels, there is no room for missteps. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 11, 2018 Cannabis: Waiting for the Smoke to Clear… by Moira McLachlan The buzz around pot stocks keeps growing, but should investors hold out for clarity amidst the haze? Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 11, 2018 Five Tax Questions to Ask at Year-End by Tara Thompson Popernik, Christopher Clarkson The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ushered in meaningful changes to the tax code, upending some tried and true strategies. But not everything has changed. Here are the five most important tax planning questions you should ask as 2018 draws to a close. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 05, 2018 Budgeting Boot Camp by Beata Kirr, Tara Thompson Popernik How do you decide what to spend today, this month, or this year? Rather than make a series of ad hoc decisions, a budget can help you weigh all your needs and desires against your income—and set priorities. Creating a budget can also help you save for bigger-ticket items, like a new car, travel, or paying down debt. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 29, 2018 Bridging the Healthcare Gap with Muni Bonds by Eric Glass, Aaron Bates Boston Medical Center is redefining the role healthcare providers play in improving the health and welfare of the city’s residents. Now impact investors can have a hand in fostering better outcomes, too. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 23, 2018 Don’t Need Your IRA Required Minimum Distribution? Donate It. by Anne Bucciarelli With year-end approaching, clients often ask us whether they can use their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) to fund their philanthropic missions. Most can’t, but there’s an exception for people who must take required distributions: IRA owners who are at least 70½ years old. Philanthropy, Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 19, 2018 A Day of Giving by Anne Bucciarelli, Clare Golla Giving Tuesday, November 27, comes at a time of year when individuals and organizations reassess their giving goals and make year-end donations. There are many ways to structure gifts to maximize the benefit to both the receiving charity and the donor. But this year, unlike years’ past, may differ because of the tax bill changes, which warrant a fresh look and perspective. Philanthropy, Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 15, 2018 When Is the Right Time to Exercise an Option? by Tara Thompson Popernik, Andrew Bishop Corporate executives often passively wait to exercise stock options until right before they expire. But is this the best approach? Our research uncovered a purely quantitative method for deciding when to exercise them. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 12, 2018 Is October a Canary in the Coal Mine? by Matthew D. Palazzolo The US market fell in October, giving back much of the year’s positive returns. Higher interest rates and worries around future profit growth and market leadership disrupted the calm environment. Are stocks headed for a prolonged down market? Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
November 05, 2018 Our Most Interesting Chart Right Now: Recent Volatility Is Largely Contained to the Stock Market by Matthew D. Palazzolo October’s sell-off in equities has provoked concern about a deeper decline in the near term. Stock market volatility spiked as stocks fell, but it’s notable that risk didn’t increase as meaningfully as in other asset classes at the same time. Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
October 30, 2018 Reserving for the “What Ifs” by Clare Golla, Todd Buechs, Travis Allen Why do nonprofits maintain operating reserves, even if they have endowments or other long-term investments? In a word: volatility. Philanthropy, Wealth Planning Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks