This commentary presents the issues that will impact on the financial markets in the third quarter of 2014. Some highlights include: The EconomyU.S. poised for stronger growthEnergy prices a risk to the outlook PolicyDesynchronized monetary policy aheadPolicy has compressed yields on income vehicles around the world ...
This financial markets monitor illustrates the state of the economy for the fourth quarter in 2014.
This commentary provides a scorecard analysis and a number of portfolio takeways for first quarter, 2015.
Effective Board oversight demands information that is current and relevant. However, the natural gaps that exist between what management communicates to the board and what the board needs to know, often creates inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of oversight. This report tackles these issues of disconnect between management and the board and offers...
There are a number of trusts that can be customized to the needs of an investor, but each trust has its own advantages and disadvantages. This simple guide works to illustrate any concerns that an investor might have about tax consequences, withdrawal powers, the three-year rule and more by looking at the pros and cons of seven different popular ty...
There are no easy answers when it comes to prenuptial agreements, but understanding the fundamentals will help ensure that the agreement is ultimately fair to all parties, achieves the family’s objectives, and will withstand any future challenge. This article provides tips, advice and a number of options when it comes to setting up a pr...
The efficient markets hypothesis says that financial markets incorporate all available information in real time to price securities competitively, eliminating opportunities to earn excess return. The Nobel Committee split its 2013 prize for Economic Sciences between proponents of both sides of the market efficiency debate. For investment practition...
Life insurance can play an important role in helping achieve the legacy and financial objectives of an individual or family—especially those with significant taxable estates and illiquid assets such as privately held businesses and real estate. For those who have assets that exceed the federal estate tax-exemption thresholds—$5,430,000 ...
Following a six-year U.S. economic recovery driven primarily by low interest rates and quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve is now constructing a plan to raise rates. At the heart of its reasoning is the concern that such low interest rates have the potential to distort economic and market conditions, fostering an unstable environment. The late...
Family businesses are an essential source of prosperity and stability to both our global economy and our society. The characteristics and practices of large, long-lived family businesses serve not only as a model for other family businesses but also for all companies that aspire to maintain an entrepreneurial spirit, innovate and maintain growth. T...
No one is comfortable discussing the day of their funeral, but taking control of that inevitable conversation and organizing a principal’s final wishes is simply the right thing to do for their family, their legacy and their enterprise. Making arrangements after the loss or, preferably, preparing an end-of-life plan in advance, involves some ...
The 2008 US Credit Crisis that resulted in the European Banking and Sovereign Crisis exposed major weaknesses in banking regulation and oversight. The reaction from policymakers and market participants set about sweeping reforms that will permanently alter the system as we know it. This paper discusses the massive regulatory change that will create...
This paper discusses the current global market conditions and provides insight into the best approach to navigating the current volatile market, while identifying the latest market movers and shakers, and assessing the next move for investors in the equities, currencies, fixed income and oil markets.
This thoughtful paper provides a historical perspective of the Hedge Fund markets performance in varying economic clients and relates what has been learned in the past to the current market conditions since the Recession of 2008.
In this market forecast, Atlantic Trust discusses presents the issues that will have the most impact on the financial markets over the next 12 months, including: The EconomyU.S. is posting impressive growth as the expansion broadens.Many other countries are struggling with too little growth, too much inflation or both.The collapse in oil pri...