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The latest escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran, caused by an alleged Iranian attack on an oil tanker in the volatile Strait of Hormuz, adds to a growing list of geopolitical hotspots around the world. With an unpredictable U.S. president that hasn’t confronted a direct military threat and one might conclude it has the makings of a risky period ahead for financial markets. What does history reveal about the impact of geopolitical stress on economic growth and financial market performance?

In order to simplify the wealth structure and investment vehicle, many high-net-worth families collectively pool the assets of individual family members to form a legal partnership entity. The resulting economies of scale can lead to significant fee savings, as well as open the door to a larger universe of investment choices for smaller accounts. When deciding the type of partnership structure to form—a limited partnership or a limited liability corporation—there are some best practices and investment options to consider in the process.

There has been much discussion regarding the Qualified Opportunity Zone program established via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017 because of potential tax advantages. This program aims to incent long-term private sector investment in low-income communities nationwide while allowing investors to potentially defer and partially reduce capital gains tax by investing capital gain amounts (or a portion) in Qualified Opportunity Zone (“QOZ”) through a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund.

The IRS released its second set of proposed regulations under Internal Revenue Code, Section 1400Z-2, Special rules for capital gains invested in opportunity zones. While some questions remain unanswered, it provided much needed guidance for investors, fund managers, developers, and sponsors pertaining to qualified opportunity zone business property, the treatment of tangible leased property, Section 1231 gain, the 90-percent asset test, and more. The guidance is generally taxpayer-friendly and provides the flexibility that businesses and investors were seeking.

Contrary to the benefit that investors have historically achieved with corporate private equity investments, private real estate funds have generally not succeeded in delivering a return premium. Yet there remains significant momentum in institutional capital targeting private equity real estate, especially value-add and opportunistic strategies. History shows that REITs have been an attractive way to make an allocation to real estate, with relatively lower-risk business models that have produced superior returns to the average private fund over full market cycles.

With impact investing, the viability and projected growth of the creative economy is not easily seen. But when using the “creativity lens” that looks at creative activity beyond the limits of art and culture, a different story emerges. It can be seen that impact investing in the creative economy has been hiding in plain sight. This study by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors identifies 107 funds that have been investing in the creative economy and shows the tremendous potential there for impact investors.

So what does bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and blockchain mean? By starting with clear definitions, this introduction provides an overview and background information to help you understand how bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies work. While using bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies and digital assets may provide unique opportunities to your business, it also comes with unique risks that require appropriate processes and controls to mitigate those risks.

Companies are starting to take notice of the increasing numbers of pet owners prepared to invest in their pets' health. Driving much of this growth is a secular shift referred to as the "humanization of pets," where pets are viewed as members of their pet owners' families. The animal health industry is structurally more attractive than the human health industry due to superior growth, less regulation, less costly research and development projects, and lack of third-party payers.

The rhyming market maxim “Sell in May and Go Away” describes the phenomenon that stocks have historically underperformed between May and October, and that investors are better off being out of the stock market and in bonds or cash during the summer months, only to return to risk-seeking assets for the more robust November through April period. Historic advantages, however, lack year-over-year persistence and ignore key realities like taxes and re-entry discipline. There are no fundamental drivers that support “selling in May” every year.