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The surprise result of the British referendum to leave the European Union this June sent shockwaves through the markets and some investors expected additional fallout down the road. It seems the opposite has been happening. Recent data from the U.K. Office for National Statistics showed the British economy grew by 0.7 percent in the second quarter ...

When evaluating possible estate planning counsel, there are many variables to consider such as educational background and professional experience, skills, and review process. To help you determine if the prospective attorney is truly qualified to help you, there are ten key questions to ask and guidelines to follow.

Business impersonation scams are a large and growing risk for high-net-worth individuals, closely held business owners, and institutions. Scams have claimed victims in all 50 states and more than 100 countries and there is every reason to believe the threat is growing. Learn seven steps that can help you protect yourself and your business from impe...

Ransomware will continue to be a top security concern in the coming years because of its ease of use and high profitability. For those unfamiliar with ransomware, it’s a type of malicious software (also known as malware) that, when downloaded to a computer, encrypts files so they can no longer be accessed without paying a ransom to the cybercrimina...

Gross domestic product per capita, a proxy for living standards, has slowed dramatically over the last 15 years. For equity investors, slower economic growth translates into reduced opportunity for revenue growth and increased risk for transitory shocks and market volatility. The biggest risk to the economy is that political leaders will respond to...

Increasing data availability and shifting investor focus toward ESG integration has led to rapid innovations in the financial industry as demand grows for impact investing. Research suggests that ESG Tilt strategies can earn competitive returns, with particularly favorable results in emerging and European markets. Meanwhile, ESG Momentum strategies...

In recent years, investment professionals have identified a more nuanced category of diversification—specifically, gender diversification within workplace leadership. Data shows that leadership diversity tends to provide the same benefits as asset-class diversification: higher returns and lessened risk. Given this research, investors, particu...

Physical and cognitive changes are a natural part of the aging process, and in the case of Alzheimer’s disease—the sixth-leading cause of death in America—individuals and families face complex emotions and planning issues. Excerpted from a longer panel discussion, this Q&A format article provides insights on Alzheimer’s ...

Lower population growth and productivity growth will weigh on future GDP growth. These lower rates of growth, in turn, bring lower returns to many asset classes, including equities and fixed income. While this circumstance creates challenges for portfolios of any risk level, it is particularly challenging to build a low risk portfolio that generate...

Structuring and strategically managing an investment portfolio is not easy in any environment. Until recently, the task was made easier with expected average returns that were at levels that would normally meet expectations to fund pension benefits, endowment distributions and lifestyle needs. However, today’s environment is drastically diffe...

While hedge fund performance can be cyclical, as it is with equity and fixed income markets, an allocation to hedge funds can provide compelling attributes in an investment portfolio over the long run. At a closer look, hedge funds have been accretive to portfolios over the last 15 years, and in each of three 5 year segments. From a historical pers...

Asset ownership, insurance, irrevocable trust, limited liability entities, and asset protection trusts are key vehicles when it comes to protecting your assets. Having an overview of what is protected under these vehicles—including the costs, administrative considerations, income tax treatment, and the estate and gift treatment—provides...

Lifetime gift planning can include gift to spouse, annual exclusion gift, UTMA accounts, 2503(c) Trust, funded Crummey trust, 529 plans, payment of tuition and medical expenses, gift to irrevocable life insurance trust, and gifts to qualified personal residence trust (QPRT). When it comes to the basic estate and gift planning, it helps to have an a...

Strategic philanthropy is similar to intentional asset allocation in that it requires as much of the giver’s intellect as it does the bank account. A careful and disciplined approach to philanthropic giving combines purpose, practicality, and passion. In planning for charitable giving, families can review their choices with a planning matrix ...

On November 8, 2016, millions of Americans will cast their votes for the next U.S. President. In considering how the new political environment in 2017 will impact the investment landscape, it’s important to keep in mind the words of legendary investor Benjamin Graham: “In the short run the market is a voting machine, but in the long run...