Search Results

What are the top four cyber security threats and how can you protect yourself? In this podcast, Information Security Officer, Gilli Shaw, and Marketing Director, Jen Dowd, dig into these risks. In their discussion, they cover the need to have antivirus on every device that connects to the Internet; the risk of Internet of Things and smart devices p...

In a perfect world, parents would have a well-thought-out plan for wealth transfer, explain their intentions, and help their heirs learn their roles and responsibilities. But life doesn’t always unfold in an orderly way to provide such a roadmap. Sometimes, inheritors may need to step in to play a more active role so they can empower themselv...

The new year brings with it new tax-savings opportunities, including larger tax exemptions and exclusions, and new rules governing most retirement accounts. This advisory includes charts showing these figures for 2020 as well as this year's income tax brackets. A list of strategies and tips to consider in your tax planning this year follows eac...

It is an open question whether investors in 2020 will remain as sanguine as they did in 2019. The U.S. and China are settling into a protracted battle over strategic interests, global economic growth is slowing, and central banks are running out of options. Meanwhile, political uncertainty is elevated with voters voicing their frustrations everywhe...

As technological advances are disrupting and transforming companies in every sector, the traditional investing landscape is also being disrupted. Venture capital is at the core of the transformation and has become a critical component of a long-term investment strategy. With the potential for attractive returns and significant impact to society, ve...

In seeking to evaluate the risk and return potential for a range of asset classes within the anticipated investment environment, there is caution given the deceleration in the economic cycle indicators that are monitored. A recession is not anticipated in 2020, but the conditions could change rapidly and investors should be prepared to make adjustm...

2019 witnessed an uncommon surge for both risky and safe assets as stocks and bonds had their biggest simultaneous gains in more than two decades. An improving outlook on the economy, progress between the U.S. and China on trade, and the Fed’s interest rate cuts boosted investors’ confidence. However, fears of a global manufacturing slo...

Although climate risk is likely underestimated by financial markets, investors would be wise to consider it in their investment decision-making process. Given the expected future repricing of this risk, there is a window of opportunity for investors to get ahead of the curve. This paper provides a high-level overview of the current climate sci...

In 2020, we see a slightly better economic growth environment but modest capital market returns relative to the stellar gains of 2019. The global economy and markets will take two steps forward as stimulus measures lead to firming global growth, but policy uncertainty will cause markets to periodically take a step back. The U.S. election will come ...

The pursuit of forecasting what opportunities and obstacles lie ahead takes added importance when looking at a new year and new decade to come. What follows are some thoughts about the opportunities and challenges before us, along with the identification of significant trends that will guide our analysis and portfolio recommendations. In addition, ...

The familiar cliché that hindsight is 20/20 seems particularly apt as we step into the year 2020 and look back on the decade of the 2010s. Throughout the past 10 years, we returned time and time again to principles and themes that we considered vital for success not just in this decade, but any decade. Revisiting the core principles and themes, whi...

Open dialogue between parents and children and, specifically, the creation of a family contract can promote responsible use of digital devices. With the help of a discussion guide and a sample contract, families can learn to prepare a contract that works for them. The process of working together builds trust, incorporates multiple perspectives...

Hackers and cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated with their attacks. With more intelligent and connected devices, as well as the importance of a person’s digital identity, cyber insurance is a vital component of an individual or a family’s coverage.

The insurance marketplace conditions are changing throughout the U.S., particularly for those with homes and other property in catastrophe-prone locations. The results outlined in this study highlight factors to consider when devising an approach to protect family members, properties, and reputational concerns in the face of current and future thre...

As part of the investment review process, there is the identification of key areas of focus or themes that will drive investment returns over the immediate term. This quarterly update highlights market and economic considerations relevant in the context of enhancing risk-adjusted outcomes, beginning with evolving global growth dynamics.