Thought Leadership Resource Center
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.
Read MoreThankfully, 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreWhile 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.
Read MoreThree years ago, the Federal Reserve (Fed) incorrectly predicted the dramatic spike in inflation that started in 2021 would be short lived, referring to the sudden increase in prices as “transitory”. Fed Chair Jerome Powell went on to tighten monetary conditions, determined to beat inflation even if it resulted in recession.
Read MoreU.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.
Read MoreIt 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.
Read MoreU.S. equity markets have experienced a noticeable uptick in price volatility as the summer of 2024 winds down. The shift began in early July when several of the large tech companies sold off sharply. These same stocks that had led the equity rally this year managed to recover a large portion of those summer losses.
Read MoreWhether you dream of hosting friends and family at a lake house property or living the snowbird lifestyle of escaping the cold winter months, here are five things you need to know prior to buying a second home.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreThe 4% Withdrawal Rule, what is it and can it still apply today? When people approach retirement, the question that they often ask themselves is what amount can I withdraw from my retirement asset bucket to meet my ongoing spending needs and sustain my nest egg over time? In other words, how much can I spend each year without outliving my money?
Read MoreWith 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.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreStarting January 1st, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) started enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 designed to hinder illicit finance. The Corporate Transparency Act requires many entities to now report information about their ultimate beneficial owners to FinCEN.
Read MoreSending your son or daughter off to college is an exciting milestone! Here’s a checklist of important topics to cover with your college students to ensure your family is prepared for this significant back-to-school transition.
Read MoreWe 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%.
Read MoreAs I have repeatedly observed, the rate of inflation has been the dominant economic story of the year. Consumer prices are now about 20% higher than they were when inflation began to heat up and, while the rate of continuing inflation has fallen from peak levels experienced in the summer of 2022, it remains well above the Fed’s 2% target and continues to pressure consumers.
Read MoreLast month, the Social Security Trustees issued their annual report, forecasting the financial future of the program for the next 75 years. Despite its expansion, the latest projections indicate that Social Security is approaching insolvency, emphasizing the urgent need for reform. This month’s retirement insights will examine the asset reserves, revenue flows, benefits paid, and the workforce supporting the program.
Read MoreNumerous rules and regulations govern the trading of securities on the public markets. One such example pertains to the settlement cycle for all trading activity. This cycle is a complex and critical component of financial markets, ensuring that trades are completed accurately and timely, thus maintaining market stability and investor confidence.
Read MoreDisclosures:
THIS COMMENTARY HAS BEEN PREPARED BY CLEARWATER CAPITAL PARTNERS. THE OPINIONS VOICED IN THIS MATERIAL ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE OR BE CONSTRUED AS PROVIDING LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, OR SPECIFIC INVESTMENT ADVICE OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL. ALL ECONOMIC DATA IS DERIVED FROM PUBLIC SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE. TO DETERMINE WHICH INVESTMENTS MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOU, PLEASE CONSULT WITH US PRIOR TO INVESTING. INVESTING INVOLVES RISK WHICH MAY INCLUDE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL. This material is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities, insurance products, or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of writing and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and nonproprietary sources deemed by Clearwater Capital Partners to be reliable, are not necessarily all-inclusive and are not guaranteed as to accuracy. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Investment involves risks. International investing involves additional risks, including risks related to foreign currency, limited liquidity, less government regulation and the possibility of substantial volatility due to adverse political, economic or other developments. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index. S&P 500 is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”) DOW JONES, DJ, DJIA and DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE are registered trademarks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings (“Dow Jones”). NASDAQ-100 Index®, NASDAQ-100®, NASDAQ Composite Index® are registered trademarks of The NASDAQ OMC Group, Inc. The two main risks related to fixed-income investing are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to make principal and interest payments.
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