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Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
According to Caring.com’s 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Study, 60% of Americans have a retirement account, but only 34% of Americans have a will. Estate planning is one of the most important strategies for our clients when it comes to long-term financial planning. Your estate plan should...
The Impact of the S&P Tech Industry Concentration
The technology industry has gained significant stock market influence since the widespread use of the internet in the mid-to-late 1990s. Many investors recall the initial "dot-com bubble" of the late 1990s, the highly speculative exuberance that followed from investors chasing fads, and the...
Nurturing Financial Responsibility
In a world where financial literacy and responsible money management skills are becoming increasingly vital, many families and individuals understand the importance of safeguarding assets which have been diligently saved and invested over a lifetime. As you consider your legacy, one question may...
Understanding the Laws That Protect Your Assets
The failure of First Republic Bankthis week marked the third major bank collapse in the past two months, following the demise of Silicon Valley Bankand Signature Bank in March. Combined, these three institutions had roughly $530 billion in assets and represented the largest bank failures since...
Understanding Stock Ownership, Earnings, and Dividends
Recently, a well-informed client asked me: "If I own 5% of a company's stock, does that mean I get 5% of the earnings?" It's an interesting question that got me thinking about company earnings, dividends, and valuation dynamics. The short answer is that owning 5% of a company's stock does not...
Inflation: Past, Present, and Future
Inflation has been a part of human society as long as goods and services have been exchanged for one another. In ancient Rome, emperors and senators actively tried to manage inflation by striking the ideal balance between money supply and growth. In the thirteenth century, King John of England...
Hayden L. Blow, TFG Research Analyst, Earns Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) Designation
We are proud to announce that Hayden L. Blow, Research Analyst, has recently earned the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation from the CFA Institute. Blow is a key member of the firm’s investment team, with responsibilities including research, portfolio construction and trading.
Investment and Life Lessons I Learned from My Father
My father, Lee Butler, lived a long, meaningful life defined by his dedication to his family, his team and his clients. When he passed away on January 5, 2023 at the age of 96, my father left a remarkable legacy. An honest man of great character, he was always extremely approachable and willing to...
2023 Market Commentary: Bear vs. Bull
Like most investors, we are glad to view 2022 out of our rearview mirror. Last year, U.S. equities had their first annual decline since 2018 and their worst return since 2008. Fixed income was just as dismal and had its poorest performance in the last 50 years. The S&P 500 and U.S. Aggregate bond...
End-of-Year Action Items for Investors
As we enter the final month of 2022, your calendar is likely filled with holiday parties, work deadlines, and family commitments. Many of us also carve out time for strategic planning for the year ahead. However, there are some planning items that expire with the start of the New Year and others...