U.S. stocks were flat to slightly higher in anemic trading in the short week ending Thursday. With roughly 15% of companies reporting, the consensus estimate for composite earnings has improved to a decline of 3.8%. Activity will pick up this week as a much heavier flow of Q1 earnings reports begins. Our advice remains unchanged. […]
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Charitable Giving is Growing Nicely
The nonprofit sector did very well in 2017, according to the June 2018 report issued by Giving USA. Total gifts to charity exceeded $400 billion for the first time ever, totaling $410.02 billion in 2017. Gifts from individuals are the largest component, and were $14 billion ahead of the 2016 pace. All giving sectors grew, […]
Read MoreExpectations, Near and Far
Stocks were putting together a lackluster week until Friday morning when the first Q1 earnings announcements began with a couple of the big banks who reported better than expected results. The positive results suggested to some that the consensus expectation for a year over year earnings contraction of 4%, may be the floor for this […]
Read MoreA Novel Way to Beat Estate Taxes?
The longest recorded human lifespan is 122 years, 164 days. The record is held by Jeanne Calment, who lived in Arles, France. Born in 1875, Jeanne reportedly had an encounter with Vincent Van Gogh at her uncle’s shop. When Jeanne was 90 years old, she had outlived her daughter and her grandson, and had no […]
Read MoreExpectations at the End of Q1
Economic data became more volatile in the final months of last year and the early months of 2019. Some unexpected softness in retail sales and a leveling off of consumer optimism added to the ongoing sluggishness in home sales and business capital investment. The Fed had raised short term rates as the economy grew through […]
Read MoreChoosing an Advisor
A good first step in the process of evaluating a financial advisor is to determine what is at the center of the advisor’s approach. Become skeptical, if the advice you receive begins to revolve around products as the solutions to your achieving your goals. Processes, rather than products, should be the primary approach of a […]
Read MoreAsk a Trust Officer: Companion Animal Planning
Dear Trust Officer: Can I provide something for my pets in my will? Didn’t Leona Helmsley set up a trust for her dog? — THOUGHTFUL ANIMAL LOVER DEAR THOUGHTFUL ANIMAL LOVER : Yes, Mrs. Helmsley did create a $12 million trust to care for her pet, Trouble. However, the probate court subsequently reduced the size […]
Read MoreSlowing Growth or Negative Growth
After a positive start, the week’s trading turned negative Wednesday afternoon and the markets finished the week 0.77% lower. Traders weighed the facts behind the Fed’s decision to hold its Fed Funds rate steady and caution was the dominant mood. Chairman Powell’s description of the economy as being “in a good place” were weighed against […]
Read MoreHow do Certified Trust and Financial Advisors Differ from Other Types of Financial Services Providers?
A good number of individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations rely on us to help them grow their wealth, protect their assets, and safeguard their legacies, so that they can command their futures and enjoy their successes. Others rely on us to invest significant sums of money that they have received as a result of an […]
Read MoreSlow and Steady
The anniversary of the 2008-09 financial crisis bottom came and went on March 9. Since early 2009, the U.S. economy has been in one of the shallowest and longest recoveries in history. The 24/7 cable news financial analysts are obviously disappointed in the lack of action. We have had neither a boom nor a bust […]
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