Resource Search

Following the first negative quarter for domestic stocks since 2015, the second quarter of 2018 began on a sour note, with the S&P 500 Index falling 2.2 percent and the technology-heavy NASDAQ dropping 2.7 percent today. Consumer discretionary stocks were also notably weak performers while international stocks fared only slightly better than their domestic brethren. For their part, bonds offered small compensation for diversified investors, with U.S. Treasuries increasing only modestly in price.

There has been a lot of speculation and confusion about the impacts of the most recent tax reform, with many asking if they have to pay more taxes. Unfortunately, the answer is, “it depends.” With this in mind, the tax impact is demonstrated by looking at potentially real scenarios for five different types of taxpayers: trust beneficiaries, unretired company executive, company shareholder, family business owner, and family business employees.

More than half of the time, cyber criminals’ search leads them directly to small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), who can be hacked with ease and offer a substantial cumulative payoff—in the form ransom money, stolen cre

For the majority of Americans, the tax overhaul has altered or reduced many of the financial incentives for making charitable donations. But charitable giving is rarely driven solely by the desire to trim tax bills. In fact, most individuals and families give for a variety of reasons and support organizations in whose missions they believe. Still, 18 percent of donors primarily make gifts to receive tax benefits. As this new tax era ushers in, it is an ideal time to examine why you give as well as the vehicles you use to give.

Words committed to paper, stories shared in print or video, and family histories portrayed in a personal documentary can contribute to your legacy. But how can you be confident the planning strategies used in estate and trust plans, as well as the fiduciary appointments made to carry them out, accurately capture your legacy goals and objectives?

Throughout their lives, many women will probably face a number of circumstances unique to their gender, and each with financial implications. When it comes to women and money, it is essential for them to find a trusted advisor who understands their distinct needs and to whom they can relate. By planning for the future, actively managing, growing, and stewarding their wealth, women can become more empowered and in control of their wealth.

After remaining dormant for most of 2017, market volatility returned with a vengeance in the First Quarter of 2018. Concerns over rising interest rates and inflation overcame positive news on economic growth and corporate earnings, triggering a selloff in both bonds and stocks in early February. The VIX index of implied equity market volatility spiked, startling some investors who had become complacent about downside risk.

As the economic cycle progresses, the next recession draws inexorably closer and brings with it the next downturn in the credit cycle.

Cyber risk has become a major potential loss exposure for almost any company. As with any other exposure, directors should confirm that reasonable steps are taken to identify, mitigate, respond to, and recover from third parties relating to cyber-related problems when they arise.

A business owner may feel both excitement and concern at the prospect of selling a business. As a liquidity event approaches, there are five questions that should be considered before the sale: What are the terms of the transaction? Could my philanthropic goals be addressed? Will the sale of the business affect my estate planning? What do I want and need from the sale? Can my risk be further mitigated?