There is no perfect system or framework for investing, nor can any investor follow any system in a perfectly disciplined way. Goals-based investing, however, is a better approach than most in helping investors stick to their investment diet, reach their target and maintain their financial “weight” over time.
The first half of 2013 was characterized by strength in the U.S. equity market, but also by rising volatility and struggles in a variety of other asset classes. For the second half of 2013, the authors expect an acceleration of growth in the United States, a slightly better economic tone in Europe and below-trend growth in most emerging econom...
Atlantic Trust's Third Quarter Newsletter Think Tank: Housing Tips into an Economic Driver - Finally. The state of housing and its role in our still-slow economic progressAnother Market Peak or Room to Run? The U.S. economy is improving, yet still mediocre. But this year certainly proves a point: The economy doesn&rsq...
By some measurements the Federal Reserve has more than tripled the money supply in response to the 2008 economic crisis. With such pronounced expansion, will the United States soon experience significant inflation, and if so, how severe may it be? This article looks at the various causes and repercussions of inflation, comparing &nb...
PWC presents findings from the 20th anniversary edition of the Global Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey. The study looks at industry performance, markets, clients, products and services, human capital, operations, technology, risks, and regulatory challenges. Key findings include: Pervasive regulatory pressures are driving...
In this issue of Global Foresight, entitled "Re-born in the USA," Rockefeller & Co. takes a close look at the prospects for the U.S. dollar, challenges in emerging markets, opportunities in fixed income, and increasing U.S. energy production. David P. Harris, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, focuses on the varied implications of a stron...
Changing client behaviors are having a big impact on the levels of service and communications High Net Worth Investors (HNWI’s) expect from their wealth manager. This report details some of the key expectations of today's wealthy investors. Some key trends include: More and more are looking for a personal touchThe...
On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States issued two groundbreaking opinions regarding same-sex marriage. The rulings will substantially impact financial and estate planning for same-sex couples living in jurisdictions that recognize same-sex marriage. Now is a critical time for same-sex couples, regardless of their legal status, to ...
Wealth planning for same-sex married couples presents a host of challenges, and the landscape is fluid. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, and President Bill Clinton signed the act into law the same year. The bill had two main functions. First, DOMA prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages for th...
Newly appointed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wooed voters by promising to end its decades-long economic and market malaise with the three arrows of Abenomics: fiscal stimulus, monetary easing and structural reform. Abe quickly launched the first arrow by passing fiscal stimulus of roughly 2% of GDP. The Bank of Japan subsequently fired the...
Fears regarding the future of fiat currencies (e.g., the dollar and euro) have created surging demand for “alternative” currencies. Alternative currencies, such as gold and even the fledgling Bitcoin possess many of the required characteristics to serve as currencies, but limitations will likely prohibit attainment of currency status in the foresee...
Regardless of the project scope, knowing the parties and defining parameters are essential to a successful relationship. Investors and developers alike should do their homework, protect themselves and have confidence in the structure of the deal.
The world is witnessing a major rebalancing of economic power. Once dominated by the G7 nations, it is today making room for a new and expanding set of rapidly growing economies. The citizens of emerging market countries, while comparatively poor on a per capita GDP basis, are being helped out of poverty by astounding rates of domestic economic gro...
Quarterly Highlights - PwC commissioned independent research firm BSI Global Research Inc. to interview 225 chief executive officers (CEOs/CFOs) of leading privately held US businesses in the first quarter of 2013. The interviewees were asked about their current business performance, the state of the economy, and their expectations for busines...
Wealthy individuals need to play an active role in their wealth management, asking advisors the right questions and reviewing their answers regularly. This requires a solid understanding of wealth management principles and how to apply them in a variety of areas, ranging from personal tax planning to the transfer of a business.