We consider the U.S. economy to be extremely strong with a very low probability of a recession in the near future. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 3.5% this past quarter. We’ve seen positive job growth for the last 96 consecutive months with unemployment dropping to 3.7%, its lowest level since 1969. In addition, consumer and government spending has been strong, and after-tax corporate profits are near all-time highs.
Legacy planning goes beyond simply naming beneficiaries for the material things you leave behind. It includes documenting your wishes, consistent with your values, with your loved ones in mind. Start by identifying your wishes and speaking with family members to clarify your goals, hopes, and vision.
Legacy planning goes beyond simply naming beneficiaries for the material things you leave behind. It includes documenting your wishes, consistent with your values, with your loved ones in mind. Start by identifying your wishes and speaking with family members to clarify your goals, hopes, and vision.
When your loved one dies, you might inherit the overwhelming responsibility of winding up their life. Aside from the funeral or memorial, there is much to attend to, including closing financial accounts, canceling recurring payments, and preparing the decedent's final tax return. Many of these tasks require focus and attention, which can add stress to an emotional time. Be kind to yourself. Don't try to handle everything alone if you don't have to. When people ask if they can help, take them up on their offer.
Grandparents of means have several options for passing their wealth on to their grandchildren. The best option or combination of options for your situation depends on several considerations. Among them are the ages of your grandchildren, whether any have special needs or disabilities, whether college or post-secondary education is a viable option, and the gift and estate tax implications. This paper presents a brief introduction to several options for grandparents to reduce their gross estate while leaving a legacy for their grandchildren.
You are welcome to use this checklist to guide your estate and legacy planning and to aid your loved ones in gathering the information and documents they will need to administer your estate.
Jack and Diane recently sold a business, transitioning from high income last year to a much lower income in 2024. Additionally, Diane inherited a substantial IRA from her mother a couple years ago and would like to use a portion of the inheritance to honor her.
• Technology companies continue to propel stocks higher year-to-date; however, concentration risks are high and potential for a valuation adjustment is elevated should optimistic growth forecasts fail to materialize.
• Strength in technology has masked underlying market weakness and the “Magnificent 7” continue to have an outsized impact on market returns and investor portfolios.
• To reduce exposure to market-cap weighted indexes and improve the valuation profile, we increased the allocation to value and managed strategies in our domestic equity portfolios.
Welcome to the Spring 2024 edition of Towneley’s newsletter. The theme is "Spring Cleaning: Getting organized with your finances." We will focus on taking easy steps to maximize your finances in 2024. Thank you for taking the time to read this issue, and we hope you and your family are well!
2023 was a year of resilience in the face of economic and market challenges. Despite a banking crisis, inflationary pressures, Fed tightening, weakening economic data, and stagnant corporate earnings, the Russell 3000 Index finished the year up 26%, with the MSCI ACWI-Ex-U.S. (International markets) Index up 15.6%. The bond market also ended the year in positive territory, with the Barclays Intermediate Gov/Corp Index up 5.2%. This marked the first positive year for fixed income since 2020.
Welcome to the Fall 2023 edition of the Towneley newsletter. In this edition, you will hear from our investment team in a frequently asked questions format.
On the morning of Saturday, October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel killing hundreds and plunging the region into further conflict. Israel immediately declared war on Hamas, responded with air strikes, and called up 300,000 army reservists. The U.S. and many U.N. Security Council members have condemned the attacks by Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by many major countries, and are providing assistance to Israel including the positioning of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Eastern Mediterranean. The situation is evolving and we all hope for a return to stability in the region, and especially for the continued safety of civilians and any friends and family that might be impacted.
On the back of a robust labor market and declining inflation, global markets experienced a strong first half to the year, with the Russell 3000 increasing 16.2%, MSCI ACWI-EX US up 9.5% and Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index up 2.1%. The story for the year has been the resurgence of technology stocks following a challenging 2022, with the “Magnificent Seven” leading the market higher and accounting for roughly ¾ of the gains YTD.
