December Private Client Letter

December Private Client Letter

Recession fears have eased significantly since the summer, driving renewed investor confidence and a surging stock market. The S&P 500 gained 5.7% in November as the Index delivered its best monthly return in a year and ninth winning month out of 11. With the national elections now concluded, stocks benefited from steady economic and earnings growth and the anticipation for pro-growth policies emerging from Trump’s second term in office. Small cap stocks did particularly well in November as the Russell 2000 rallied 10.8% on anticipation of tax cuts and trade policy that favors domestic producers.

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The Bitcoin Boom and the "Trump Bump": What’s Behind the Surge?

The Bitcoin Boom and the "Trump Bump": What’s Behind the Surge?

Since Donald Trump’s re-election, Bitcoin has surged toward the $100,000 mark, fueled by optimism over a potentially more crypto-friendly regulatory landscape. Investors and pundits alike are dubbing this rally the “Trump Bump,” as expectations for pro-crypto policies under the new administration send waves of enthusiasm through the markets. 

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Private Client Letter | Special Post-Election Edition

Private Client Letter | Special Post-Election Edition

It has been two weeks since the national election and many of the inferences of a second Trump presidency are beginning to come into focus.  With Republicans about to take control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives we can expect sweeping changes to many important policies impacting the future trajectory of the economy.

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November Private Client Letter

November Private Client Letter

Thankfully, we have come to the end of a particularly contentious political season in which rival campaigns each suggested that the other side will hasten the end of the republic.  Today, the swing states will again decide the election outcome.  While most attention has been focused on Pennsylvania, other key swing states that matter include Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, and Georgia.

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Guiding Aging Parents in Financial Management

Guiding Aging Parents in Financial Management

As parents age, it’s common to be concerned about their ability to manage their finances, especially when faced with cognitive decline or other medical concerns. Here are some tips for talking to aging parents about their finances and how to step in with assistance.

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State Estate Taxes: A Hidden Tax Burden 

State Estate Taxes: A Hidden Tax Burden 

While federal estate taxes often grab headlines, many overlook the significant impact of state estate taxes. These state-level taxes can substantially reduce the value of inherited assets, affecting the beneficiaries and the decedent’s legacy. 

Illinois, where Clearwater Capital Partners is based, is one of 12 states with an estate tax. It is a uniquely difficult tax to avoid and requires careful planning to minimize. 

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The Stage is Being Set for Small Cap Equities

The Stage is Being Set for Small Cap Equities

U.S. small-cap companies (market capitalization between $900 million and $6 billion) have underperformed their U.S. large-cap (market capitalization above $16 billion) counterparts over the last few years, but we believe there are a few key reasons why the stage is being set for small caps to play some catch-up.

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Evaluating Senior Living Facility Options 

Evaluating Senior Living Facility Options 

It is a challenging situation when the realization hits - be it for you or a loved one – that perhaps it is no longer a feasible option to continue in the current living situation. If and when this time comes, considering some of the senior living options that are available and what might be best, can be challenging.  

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The Case for Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities 

The Case for Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities 

As interest rates have risen over the last several years, we have taken steps in fixed income strategies to “lock-in” these higher rates by increasing duration. One of the areas that we have been adding to and continue to favor is U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The MBS market is one of the largest, most liquid segments of the bond market comprising nearly 25% of the Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index.  

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Best Practices for Protecting Your Identity

Best Practices for Protecting Your Identity

With the news of yet another, potentially enormous data breach, this time from National Public Data, resulting in the leak of an as-of-yet unknown number of personal records (some estimates put it at 2.9 billion personal records exposed, while the company claims the number is closer to 1.3 million) the priority of protecting your assets and identity has never been greater.  Sadly, news of breaches like this are far too common, despite the best efforts of the keepers of this data to keep bad actors away.  It’s with this in mind that we want to remind you of what your team at Clearwater is doing to protect you and what you can do to help protect yourself.

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August Private Client Letter: Economic and Market Narratives are Shifting Quickly

August Private Client Letter:  Economic and Market Narratives are Shifting Quickly

We are only a few trading days into the month of August and already it feels like an entirely different environment compared to the one we have enjoyed for most of the year.  While economic reports have been flashing signs of inflation for many months, the equity markets have spent most of the year ascending to new record highs. 

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Strategies for Managing Retirement Distributions

Strategies for Managing Retirement Distributions

In most aspects of life, we sometimes hesitate to face challenges upfront, preferring to defer them to a later time. This procrastination is especially common when it comes to paying taxes on retirement distributions, affecting not just 401(k)s and IRAs but also the beneficiaries of these accounts.

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2024 Mid Year Update

2024 Mid Year Update

We are pleased to share with you the Clearwater Capital Partners Outlook 2024 Mid-Year Update report entitled:

“Bulls, Bears, and Blurred Horizons”

Exactly two years ago the rate of inflation peaked at a year-over-year rate of 9.1%. The Federal Reserve responded to the spike in consumer prices by raising interest rates 11 consecutive times over a period of just 16 months. The Fed’s pursuit of tighter financial conditions was meant to bring the rate of inflation down to a 2% target level – a goal that remains elusive with prices continuing to rise at a pace of about 3.3%.

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