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 Going Out of Style? Value vs. Growth by Scott Krauthamer, Eric Sprow Recent market gyrations have many people asking: Is it time to pivot from a growth equities allocation to a value equities allocation? But that’s the wrong question. Instead of asking which style is likely to outperform, investors should be asking why they’re performing differently. Active & Passive , Equities 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 Ready and Able to Exploit Equity Volatility by Frank Caruso Recent volatility in equity markets has certainly increased anxieties for many investors. But we believe in being prepared and ready to exploit volatility—to position a portfolio for what will drive excess performance over the next three to five years. Equities, Volatility 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 10, 2018 European Equities: Three Big Themes to Watch in 2019 by Tawhid Ali, Andrew Birse With so much politically driven volatility in Europe, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s really happening in the markets. Investors in European stock markets should watch three big themes that we think will shape the environment next year. Equities Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 10, 2018 Less Favorable Growth-Inflation Mix in 2019 by Darren Williams As we get ready to move into 2019, the macro backdrop points to a less favorable mix of growth and inflation at a time when central bank balance sheets are starting to shrink. Even if growth is simply returning to trend, the year ahead is likely to be more challenging—with populism and China looming as key downside risks. AB IQ Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 06, 2018 The Markets Are Volatile. The Fed Can Live With That. by Eric Winograd A rapid rise in US interest rates has put financial markets on the defensive lately. Will the Federal Reserve respond by slowing the pace of its tightening campaign? Don’t bet on it. AB IQ Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 06, 2018 Populism: Get Used to It by Darren Williams Rising populism, slower growth and reduced liquidity top the list of downside risks to reckon with in 2019. That adds up to volatility in markets and more challenges for investors. AB IQ Likes 0 SHARE Bookmarks
December 05, 2018 The US Yield Curve Inverted. Time to Worry? by Erin Bigley, Scott Krauthamer What drove down US stocks this week? The answer may be the US bond market and what the shape of the yield curve is—or isn’t—telling us about the state of the economy. Equities, Fixed Income, Rising Rates, Volatility 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