A client reached out this week regarding a short-term cash need. As we discussed the various ways to obtain liquidity, the subject of capital gains and the related taxation came up. This can be a confusing topic and is also one that is in the news as of late as it has become a key […]

Welcome to October and the final quarter of 2024! As I’ve mentioned in prior posts, Windermere subscribes to research from an independent research firm called Fundstrat. This week, their founder Tom Lee shared his outlook for the remainder of the year. He framed it as a showdown between potential headwinds (ie: things that could slow […]

Markets were relatively stable during the final full trading week of Q3 2024. There were a few notable events this week. Let’s take a quick look back and then turn our attention to the final three months of 2024. Chinese Stimulus It’s no secret that China, the world’s second-largest economy, has been a laggard in […]

It’s hard to escape talk about the upcoming presidential election cycle in the US, especially if you live in a swing state. While there are many differences between the candidates, one that I’m discussing more often than not with clients is income tax policy. It’s understandable – income taxes can have a material impact on […]

As you likely know by now, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.50% this week. While we have been under the impression that rates would fall for virtually all of 2024 (and have been having discussions with clients to that end for many months as a result), I certainly understand that things aren’t top […]

For the first time in over four years, the Federal Reserve lowered the Fed Funds interest rate during its meeting on Wednesday of this week. The reduction in rates (known in financial circles as a “cut”) was 50 basis points (0.50%), making the new target range of the Fed Funds rate 4.75-5% The size of […]

September is typically a tough months for markets. This year is fulfilling on that promise of weakness & volatility as equity markets have been reminiscent of a popular ice cream flavor the past two weeks- Rocky Road! As we noted last week, there are quite a few major events happening in September and once they […]

I talked with a Client this week about what to expect as his granddaughter (for whom he has established a custodial account) approaches her twenty first birthday. Let’s take a closer look at custodial accounts as many of your have children in your lives you care about – and the future will be here before […]

Yikes. This shortened trading week felt rather long, don’t you agree. As kids headed back to school, the market headed back to its wild trading ways (not seen all that often in 2024). Weeks like this can be unsettling. Let’s be honest – there are very few people (other than short sellers) that enjoy seeing […]

If you have been listening to the business news this week, you may have the same question a client did..what is the VIX and why is everyone talking about it? The VIX is shorthand for the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE)’s Volatility Index. It is a tool used to measure the expected volatility in the […]