Investment Commentary – June 9, 2025
Executive Summary U.S. stocks closed within ~2% of their all-time highest level since February 2025, lifted by a combination of resilient jobs data and signs of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations. Bond Yields climbed as investors recalibrated expectations for Federal Reserve policy, following economic signals that eased fears of an imminent slowdown and fluctuating levels […]
The Truth About Social Security Tax Relief in the Big Beautiful Bill
Demystifying Proposed Social Security Tax Relief A provision in the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that many associate with tax-free Social Security benefits is in the news cycle and confusing taxpayers. The proposed legislation, currently under revision in the Senate, does NOT mention tax-free Social Security. However, it does include an adjustment to a long-standing senior deduction. The […]
Economic Commentary – June 9, 2025
The growing contrast between business sentiment, largely expressed via interviews and industry reports, and “hard” macroeconomic data like employment prompts the immediate thought that “Something’s Gotta Give.” Further amplifying the uneasy tenor of the current moment is the apparent difficulty the Bureau of Labor Statistics is having in getting its monthly survey of nonfarm payrolls […]
Early Social Security Claims Surge: Should You Claim Benefits Sooner?
Recent Trends in Social Security Claims According to the New York Times, early claims for Social Security benefits have increased by 13% since the beginning of the year. This rise is notable, especially considering the Social Security Trust Fund’s projected depletion timeline remains unchanged. The current surge in early claims appears to stem from heightened […]
Investment Commentary – June 2, 2025
Executive Summary For the month of May, the S&P 500 returned over 6%, its best monthly performance since November 2023. Financial markets have weathered two months of policy-driven volatility, only to end up roughly where they started. After a nearly 20% decline from late February to early April, the S&P 500 has regained most of […]
Economic Commentary – June 2, 2025
Amidst all the confusion as to which US tariffs are in place, which are in deferment and which have never come into being — not to mention which retaliatory actions by US trading partners are in effect, or threatened—- it is not entirely surprising that inflation has not been the big story that was anticipated. […]
Investment Commentary – May 27, 2025
Executive Summary Equities, bonds and the dollar all retreated last week amid renewed focus on the U.S. budget deficit and rising debt. Fresh tariff threats were also a reminder that trade developments remain, as evidenced by the equity markets’ decline and recovery in response to the threat and “kick the can” headlines related to European […]
House Passes Major Tax Bill: Key Provisions High-Net-Worth Taxpayers Should Monitor
House Passes Major Tax Bill – Key Provisions to Watch Last week, the House of Representatives passed a significant tax bill, which now heads to the Senate for approval. As this bill navigates the legislative process, remember that its provisions can change before it becomes law. Here’s what you should know about the key proposals […]
Economic Commentary – May 27, 2025
Congress is on Memorial Day holiday until June 3 (yes, they do get better benefits than most people!), although returning to their districts and (maybe) meeting with constituents may be anything but a holiday for Representatives and Senators this year. Emotions continue to run high over the economic provisions of the House-passed tax and spending bill, […]
One Big Beautiful Bill: Legislative Update on Proposed Tax Changes Affecting Wealthy Families
Legislative Update: Proposed Tax Changes in House Bill The latest version of the House’s proposed legislation, previously known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” remains intact, mainly following negotiations during the past week. Highlighted below are key provisions that may impact and are subject to changes: Individual Tax Cuts If the bill is passed in […]
Investment Commentary – May 19, 2025
Executive Summary The 30-year Treasury bond yield rose above 5.00% on an intra-day basis 5/19.25 – which is close to 2023’s cyclical high, triggered, in part, by a weak Treasury bond auction, which signaled the supply of Treasuries due to increasing budget deficits was weighing on the market. The bond market may be starting to […]
Economic Commentary – May 19, 2025
Moody’s lowering of the US sovereign credit rating to Aa1 from Aaa was not entirely surprising; S&P cut its rating of the US as a borrower from its highest rating of AAA to AA+ many years ago, as did Fitch’s in 2023. (Note: there are ratings of instruments and ratings of borrowers, and both can […]