Thought Leadership Resource Center
As 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 MoreOn Saturday, May 4th Clearwater Capital hosted their final 2024 Symposium event. Here you will find recordings of the various segments of the program.
Read MoreFinancial crime is changing rapidly as bad actors continually improve their methods and tools to profit at the expense of others. While many Americans are aware of this, few fully understand the scale and scope of the issue. That understanding is key to preventing catastrophe. Clearwater Capital is in a unique position to help our clients, and their families, identify and prevent financial crime thanks to the depth of our relationships with them.
Read MoreFor centuries investors have invested in gold in pursuit of various purposes depending on individual financial goals and market conditions. Traditionally thought of as a safe-haven asset, owning gold on occasion has produced attractive returns. The price of gold has risen by about 13% in the first four months of 2024 and by over 80% in the past five years.
Read MoreMost Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) inherited from non-spouses post January 1, 2020 must be fully distributed within 10 years of receiving. During those 10 years, the beneficiary is required to take a distribution every year, and cannot simply take a lump sum in year 10.
Read MoreEach year, we dedicate the 2nd Sunday of May to honor the moms in our lives. Often described as providers, supporters, and caregivers, mothers face unique financial circumstances that can have significant consequences to their financial well-being. In this article, you’ll find a list of financial planning strategies designed for all stages of motherhood.
Read MoreWelcome to a new calendar quarter. With the month of March coming to an end, the S&P 500 posted its fifth consecutive month of gains as corporate earnings remain resilient and the consumer continues to spend money. The index is now higher by about 10% for the first quarter and a staggering 28% since the rally began in late October of last year.
Read MoreWhile providing financial support to adult children can be a gesture of love, it can also present challenges for both the parents and the children. Here are some strategies and considerations to help strike the balance between setting boundaries and offering monetary assistance.
Read MoreIn Clearwater Capital Partner’s Outlook 2024, it was highlighted that most of the performance in the S&P 500 last year could be attributed to seven stocks (AMZN, AAPL, GOOGL, META, MSFT, NVDA, and TSLA). This trend of concentration has continued so far into 2024 as the 10 largest positions in the index make up 33% of the market’s value.
Read MoreMedicare IRMAA is an income-based surcharge that couples or individuals must pay on top of their existing monthly premiums for Medicare Part B (coverage for preventive care, doctor visits and outpatient care) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). Certain individuals and couples with higher incomes may be subject to an IRMAA surcharge.
Read MoreEquity compensation makes up almost one third of employees’ net worth, 32% on average[i]. Different than cash compensation (i.e, salary, bonus, and commission), some forms of equity compensation are not taxed as earned income. Understanding how your company’s equity compensation plan works is critical to interpreting the advantages and disadvantages of exercising your right to purchase, accumulate and sell your equity shares.
Read MoreEquity markets in the U.S. continue to press higher. Less than a month ago, the S&P 500 crossed 5,000 for the first time in its history and since the low last October, the index has been up over 1,000 points. Semiconductor manufacturer Nvidia reported a blowout fourth quarter earnings report and optimism over artificial intelligence keeps pushing stock indices to all-time highs.
Read MoreFinancial exploitation and elder abuse represent challenges that many seniors confront, posing grave threats to their financial stability and overall well-being. As these schemes become greater in both frequency and complexity, it is important to be aware of three prevalent forms of financial exploitation: telephone scams, home improvement scams, and sadly, family member exploitation. Each requires nuanced understanding and proactive countermeasures.
Read MoreClearwater Capital Partners has recently adopted a new fintech platform, Pontera, which offers a secure system specifically designed for financial advisors to oversee 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other external retirement plan assets. Utilizing Pontera's platform, your advisor can assess fund options, establish fund allocations in accordance with the client’s investment strategies and adjust over time.
Read MoreEstablishing and maintaining an economic outlook is an essential discipline for serious investors. A well-researched and rational outlook provides insights on the current environment and will inform critical decisions going forward. Clearwater Capital Partners is pleased to announce that our Outlook 2024: “Bulls, Bears, and Blurred Horizons” has been published. You may access it now on our CCP Thought Leadership page.
How will this cycle play out? No one knows for sure, but all eyes are on the Fed and expectations for a soft landing now represent the consensus view. Our base case has been that a mild recession was more likely than not, so the fundamental question as we head into a new year is: were we wrong, or just early.
For a deeper discussion of our expectations for the coming year, please read our Outlook 2024 report. As always, should you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call.
Read MoreAs 2023 draws to a close, I am encouraged to observe that the year has turned out much better than many, including myself, had expected. The economic slowdown, signaled by several traditional indicators such as the Leading Economic Index (LEI), has not yet materialized. In fact, the third quarter growth in GDP far exceeded expectations and an increasing number of market strategists are shifting their perspectives to a “soft-landing scenario” in which the Federal Reserve’s aggressive and historic tightening cycle will succeed in reducing inflation without crushing the economy.
Read MoreAt the end of every year, advisors receive many questions on how to complete/maximize retirement contributions. The following article will serve as a basic guide for year-end contributions and some of the rules associated with them.
Read MoreYear-end marks several critical financial deadlines and cut-offs you can’t afford to miss. Here’s a year-end financial checklist to help you maximize savings, minimize taxes, and ensure your financial goals are on track.
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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