Q2 2024 witnessed a stark market divergence. Mega-cap stocks, fueled by AI enthusiasm, drove S&P 500 gains while small caps faltered. The bond market grappled with challenges in Q2, as rising Treasury yields dampened overall performance. Meanwhile, emerging market equities shone brightly, particularly in India, Taiwan, and South Korea. Their tech sectors rode the AI wave and made EM equities one of the top performers of the quarter despite China’s economic headwinds. The Federal Reserve maintained its cautious stance, holding rates steady in June as it navigates complex economic signals, including a labor market that has been sending mixed signals and sticky inflation. Meanwhile, the housing market continues to undergo a dramatic shift, with falling existing and new home sales potentially foreshadowing broader economic challenges ahead.

Pathstone recently hosted a three-part webinar series on estate planning, led by Jim Coutré, Head of Wealth Planning, and Scott Weaver, Chief Fiduciary Officer.  Jim and Scott shared their insights into why estate planning should begin with a clear articulation of family vision and values, how this preparation supports the selection of appropriate strategies, and how to put these concepts in action. They shared examples from their years of working with clients from the family dynamics and fiduciary perspectives, respectively.