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September 10, 2024
August turned out to be another positive month for equities and bonds even as economic data presented a complex picture, with inflation’s continued descent below 3% bolstering expectations for a soft landing, but weak labor market and manufacturing data revived fears of a potential economic slowdown. The month’s weak employment data catalyzed a downward drift in yields. This shifting yield curve landscape has fueled a remarkable rally in bonds and interest-rate sensitive sectors, with US Aggregate Bonds, REITs, and Infrastructure posting impressive gains since late April. Additionally, despite a robust Q2 earnings season, the vaunted “Magnificent 7” stumbled, contrasting sharply with the broader S&P 493’s positive performance and the notable strength in defensive sectors.
August 22, 2024
Estate planning can be viewed as a tax-focused financial necessity for those with significant wealth. We believe that estate plans can also provide an opportunity for meaningful family engagement about shared vision and purpose as well as individual values and goals. An effective estate plan entails clear communication about the intent behind these gifts, so that recipients understand and appreciate the purpose of the inheritance, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship while also freeing them to use inherited wealth to enhance their lives.
As a follow-up from our June webinar series Estate Planning Essentials: Integrating the Technical and the Human, this article focuses in on the importance of starting the planning process based on what matters most to your family.
August 19, 2024
July’s financial markets witnessed a significant shift, driven by cooler inflation data that sparked a rotation from mega-cap stocks to small caps, real estate, and bonds. While the S&P 500 gained 1.2%, tech giants and the Nasdaq experienced a downturn, contrasting with small caps’ strongest performance since December 2023. The bond market rallied as yields declined, with longer-duration bonds outperforming, while commodities faced headwinds except for gold, which benefited from lower interest rates and a weaker dollar.
