Family offices should develop an understanding of the requirements for health care benefit plans, implement the requirements on a timely basis and then continually monitor ongoing compliance.
The author explores the advantages and disadvantages of the outsourced CIO model relative to non-discretionary models and suggests how investors might think about choosing between the two models.
Families should consider an array of factors as part of their charitable planning, such as their legacy, the particular assets, market conditions, investment objectives, interest rates and cash flow needs, as well as the mission of the charitable organizations.
Investors and consumers typically adopt a wait and see attitude toward investing and spending in the nascent days of a recovery. That timidity should be history by now, says the author, who explores the reasons behind the ongoing lack of confidence.
Researchers examine the trade, economic and financial linkages between China and the rest of the world and consider the implications of those linkages if growth in Chinese gross domestic product should slow in the future.
Closing the gender gap at the top of corporations fosters innovation, creates a more balanced work environment and positively affects the bottom line. Yet, achieving gender balance requires new thinking, innovative approaches and courage.
The authors present highlights from a series of seminars in which more than 80 trustees from charities of all kinds debated how they could make their charities more effective and shared ideas about improving trusteeship.
The holidays are a time for relaxing with family and friends. Unfortunately, criminals use this time to shift into high gear. Crime statistics from October indicate this year will be no exception to the historical trend, but you can take steps to help avoid becoming a victim of burglary or theft.
Suggestions for how to preserve a family legacy across generations include not letting shared assets become liabilities, recognizing that family businesses are businesses, communicating in the way that works best for family members, acknowledging family dynamics and choosing trustees carefully.
U.S. investors can build international equity by investing directly in overseas markets or by purchasing shares of American depositary receipts. The method selected will have important implications for transaction costs, ongoing fees and benchmark tracking.
Canada provides a safe and tax-efficient alternative for wealthy families seeking a residency strategy to protect their wealth and a place to set up a family office. The country has neither gift nor estate taxes and offers tax-reduction structures for wealth immigrating families.
In normal markets, typical long/short funds show beta behavior similar to that of long-only funds. With certain specialized short positions, a declining equity market generates both higher profits and higher levels of short exposures. However, these funds may require large liquidity reserves for rebalancing.
Philanthropy appears set to increase among the wealthy, according to a survey of millionaires in 20 countries. The United States, Ireland, South Africa and India lead in donations of both money and time.
We continue to recommend that investors focus on high-quality general obligation and essential services municipal bonds as the core of their bond portfolios. We also continue to recommend that investors maintain shorter-than-benchmark durations in order to dampen the risks of rising interest rates.
Becoming thoughtful and intentional about altruism and the passion to make a difference is the difference between having good intentions and being intentional about our values and commitments to others. This newsletter offers tips on how to give better, helps 'tween philanthropists ask seven critical questions about giving, and provides a visual wa...