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4th Quarter 2011 Newsletter Despite high market volatility and several daily swings of 1% or more, we are seeing some economic indicators begin to bounce back positively. In this newsletter we will discuss the U.S. economy, the national deficit, Europe, income tax increases, unemployment, real estate and market volatility. 2011-2012 Tax Planning Guide The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 kept ordinary-income and long-term capital gains rates from increasing this year and established "patches" for the AMT that may help reduce or eliminate your 2011 tax liability. The act also offers some enhanced estate planning opportunities and it extends and expands a number of other tax breaks. Many provisions of the law, including the extensions of the lower income and capital gains tax rates - are set to expire at the end of 2012 unless Congress extends them again. In light of this uncertainty, minimizing your taxes over the next few years will require especially careful planning and timely action, as well as a thorough understanding of various tax-saving strategies Things to Think About in 2012 The year 2012 should prove to be a very important year for investors to review their financial situation with a careful eye on some of the major changes set to affect many of us. Here are some of the things that you should be aware of when reviewing your financial situation this year. Six Tax Strategies That Could Save You Money Despite all the news we have heard about tax simplification, the current tax code still remains a complex combination of regulations, statutes, rulings and forms that are written primarily in highly technical language and cover thousands of pages. Avoiding these six mistakes can potentially save taxpayers money. Retirement and Social Security: Caution ... Plan Carefully Most workers look forward to retirement, but not all of them plan well for it. For personal and financial reasons, it is important to understand that a comfortable retirement is usually the end result of an extensive process that incorporates central planning and often many years of participation. 2011 Is a Good Year to Think About Tax-Free Gifting Strategies We all know that it is better to give than to receive, but if possible, it can be even more advantageous to give and be tax savvy about it too! In today's confusing world, there are several common strategies you can use that will allow you to gift some of the assets that you have accumulated in your estate. 3rd Quarter 2011 Newsletter Despite the significant volatility and stock market fluctuations, the Dow still finished the quarter up 0.8% (up 7.7% YTD) - its 4th quarterly gain in a row. In this newsletter, we will discuss market performance for the second quarter, the impact of the end of Quantitative Easing, unemployment, the bond market, the U.S. budget deficit, the debt ceiling, inflation, the U.S. Dollar and potential European defaults. Estate Planning Essentials Uncertainty and confusion still reign supreme when it comes to estate planning. Many estates might still not owe any federal estate taxes, but for those who have accumulated a large amount of wealth, there are a few advantages and opportunities that may be considered during 2011 and 2012. 2nd Quarter 2011 Newsletter The first quarter of 2011 has been an exciting time for the markets. In this newsletter, we will discuss positive signs from the most recently completed quarter as well as current economic conditions including inflation, bonds and interest rates, global economies, unemployment and the housing market. Important Tax Birthdays Traditionally, birthdays are fun events; but when it comes to taxes, birthdays have a special place. This newsletter discusses some of the important tax birthdays that can dramatically affect your income taxes. 1st Quarter 2011 Newsletter This year starts a new decade which brings with it a sense of anticipation and excitement. Although the calendar year has changed, there is still a considerable amount of uncertainty with regards to the economy, the new tax laws, and the investment markets. 3rd Quarter 2010 Newsletter Wow—2010 has proven to be a very wild ride for the stock market. This was the best September in decades, but third quarter volume in stock trading was about 25% below the second quarter level. Does September's rally signal a broad return of investor confidence? It appears that some market participants felt less of a need for hedging strategies amid lower volatility. In this issue, we take a look at the US and global economies, unemployment, inflation vs. deflation, interest rates and the tax law changes. 2nd Quarter 2010 Newsletter The second quarter of 2010 reminded us that things can look unnecessarily gloomy the morning after a party. It's true that growth appears to be slowing from the first quarter, and the markets acted as if they needed to sober up from last year's stimulus-induced recovery. While many investors are still concerned about a double-dip recession, several indicators are pointing toward continued global growth. In this issue, we take a look at the impact of the European debt crisis on U.S. markets, inflation vs. deflation, Bear vs. Bull markets, balancing the budget and investing in a rising tax environment. 1st Quarter 2010 Newsletter Wow—another roller coaster quarter! We believe the economic recovery has gained ground here but there are still some noticeable headwinds (e.g. the debt crisis in Europe, monetary tightening in Asia as well as the regulatory uncertainty associated with the financial reform in the U.S.). The first quarter of 2010 has proven to be a very solid one especially for technology, industrials and consumer discretionary. A big question is how much of the market’s rebound was driven by improving economic fundamentals and how much by government stimulus. The revival of our economy continues to play out very similar to past recoveries, with consumer spending leading the way, followed by industrial production and, much later, employment and capital spending. In this issue, we take a look at first quarter economic market data as well as pertinent topics such as the U.S. budget deficit, President Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and tax planning strategies.
4th Quarter 2009 Newsletter If you enjoy drama, 2009 had it all. As we recap 2009 year-end performance in the U.S. and abroad, we realize that not only are financial markets reinventing themselves, but Americans are reinventing themselves and their lifestyles. In this economic update, we look at the issues that are top of mind for all of us…the Federal Budget Deficit, Inflation, Unemployment, Real Estate, Household Net Worth and Consumer Spending, Interest Rates and more. In this issue, we take a look at Bear vs. Bull markets, international equities, gross domestic product, job growth, housing, tax law changes, inflation vs. deflation and bonds.
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