Investment Review & Outlook – April 2023
Key Takeaways Both stocks and bonds managed to post gains for the quarter, despite a banking crisis, interest rate increases, and geopolitical concerns. This is a welcome relief following a challenging 2022 and ongoing volatility that has continued in 2023. Our forecast for a mild recession late in 2023 has been pulled forward due to…
Read MoreSECURE 2.0 Act | Congress Passed New Retirement Account Reforms: Here’s What You Should Know
Congress Passed New Retirement Account Reforms: Here’s What You Should Know In December 2022, Congress passed the “SECURE 2.0 Act” as part of the 2023 $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill, and President Biden signed it into law on December 29, 2022. Hundreds of pages in the bill pertain to retirement account reforms, so we thought…
Read MoreEquity Compensation Plans: What do I need to know?
Today,[1] about 43% of public companies and 35% of private companies provide equity compensation benefits to their employees.[2] Employers are increasingly offering this type of compensation to enhance employees’ total pay and provide them with incentives as direct owners in the company. Receiving a portion of your compensation in equity may sound straightforward (and exciting…
Read MoreInvestment Review & Outlook – January 2023
Key Takeaways 2022 was defined by inflation that proved not to be transitory and which was further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The Federal Reserve responded with sharp rate increases which led to double-digit declines for both stocks and bonds. A moderate recession likely is on the horizon in 2023, with higher unemployment and…
Read MoreInvestment Review & Outlook – October 2022
Key Takeaways We believe that the Fed is committed to driving current inflation down to target levels (2 to 2.5%) and wants to make sure inflation will not flare up again due to premature easing, avoiding a repeat of the late 1960s and 1970s. The consequence of Fed actions is a high probability of recession…
Read MoreA BASIC Path to Prosperity: 5 Financial Steps Every Woman Should Consider
What does it take to achieve financial prosperity? Specifically, how should women approach this goal? These days, these questions come into more focus. Women have more money, power, and are in charge of their own finances now than ever before, and with about one-third of U.S. adults being single, millions of women are running their…
Read More1919 SDGs Series: Responsible Production and Consumption
A 1919 Series: The UN Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”) Responsible Production and Consumption At 1919 Investment Counsel, LLC (“1919”), our Responsible Investing team seeks investments that not only align with our clients’ financial goals and values, but also have a positive impact on society. This edition of our series on the UN SDGs considers the…
Read MoreInvestment Review & Outlook – July 2022
Key Takeaways Persistent inflation reached a 40-year high in the second quarter causing consternation for consumers, corporations, and the Federal Reserve. While the cure for high inflation (rate increases) may result in short-term pain for investors, it will benefit financial assets longer term. A 75-basis-point rate hike by the Fed in mid-June reflected a more…
Read MoreInvestment Review & Outlook – April 2022
Key Takeaways Inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine fueled market volatility in the first quarter with declines in both the stock market and the bond market. The Federal Reserve seeks to implement multiple rate hikes this year as a result of inflation that is well above its 2% target and a…
Read MoreThe Importance of Having a Durable Power of Attorney
Planning Strategies This is the first full installment in our 2022 Estate Planning Series, covering the basics of five essential estate planning documents. A durable power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to choose someone to act on your behalf as to certain legal and financial matters in the event you are…
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