The beginning of the first quarter was serene and pleasurable, as equity markets levitated on the back of increasing earnings expectations and solid world economic underpinnings. But the market euphoria didn’t last long. February saw volatility awaken from its slumber with a jolt, kicking off a long-anticipated correction that reminded investors there is never a…
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One considerable (and common) challenge for clients is to focus on the goals they ought to focus on from a purely financial perspective, despite the psychological and behavioral biases which may direct their attention elsewhere. For instance, many households overemphasize accumulating assets (when they should be paying down debt), or overemphasize paying down debt (when they…
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On Saturday, March 17, 2018, Pinnacle Advisory Group’s investment team offered their thoughts on the market, outlined upcoming investment trends and wealth preservation strategies, and explained our approach to risk management. Here’s what they covered: 0:00 – Ken Solow: Volatility and Risk 20:56 – Rick Vollaro: A Time of Gradual Transition 39:08 – Sauro Locatelli:…
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I have been a financial advisor for more than 30 years. During that time, I have worked with clients who have prepared their own taxes, those who work with CPAs I have never spoken to or worked with, and those who work with CPAs with whom I have a professional relationship. My preference is to…
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We recently wrote a blog post offering concrete steps to protect yourself from identity theft. (See “What to do about the Equifax Hack.”) But what about those in your care? How do you protect your minor children? While it’s unlikely that your children were affected by the Equifax breach, it’s possible that their identities have…
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I was at a funeral recently for a friend’s mother and sat next to a man who was the surviving spouse’s oldest friend. He was 85 years old, and had been friends with the husband for more than 70 years. He told me that his wife died about eight years ago, and after spending six…
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On December 22, 2017, the president signed and put into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). While much more legislation will be required on both the federal and state levels to clarify and correct the new rules, here’s what we know right now… New lower federal payroll withholding tables will go into effect…
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After a solid third quarter, investors began to wonder just how long the market could run without a healthy pullback. But those bracing for a market correction got caught flat footed as markets found a way to keep powering ahead in the fourth quarter. Domestic equity markets surged in anticipation of tax relief, emerging markets…
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Two tax bills enter, one tax bill leaves. The House and Senate have both passed differing versions of a new tax bill. Now the bills go to committee in an attempt to reconcile the differences. Both versions involve increasing the standard deduction, reducing personal income tax rates, and removing many itemized deductions. Both bills also…
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It’s getting to be that time of year when we start thinking about family and holiday traditions and the pressure to finish projects before the year ends. In an effort to help you check things off your list ahead of schedule, here’s a handy checklist of items to consider: Open a Roth or Traditional IRA…
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