Wealth Management Blog | WrapManager (37)

Granite Investment Partners - Interest Rates, Market Volatility

Posted by WrapManager's Investment Policy Committee

August 13, 2015

Granite Investment Partners provides their reflections on the second quarter. Topics discussed are mixed economic data, weaker GDP growth and the question on everyone's mind, when the Fed will raise interest rates.

"Reflections

Market remains little changed amidst volatility

The market remained largely range-bound in the quarter and for the year. The S&P 500 index ended the quarter basically flat, gaining +0.28%, bringing year-to-date total return for the first half of 2015 to +1.23%. Investors remain in somewhat of a holding pattern as they continue to monitor signals from the Federal Reserve in anticipation of the end of the prolonged period of easy domestic monetary policy. Market consensus has shifted expectations for the first rate hike forward into September, albeit with a fair amount of uncertainty due to conflicting economic data signals.

Will China's Market Volatility Affect Your Investment Portfolio?

August 12, 2015

China’s stock market was down over a third from mid-June to mid-July, wiping out almost $4 trillion in value. The market had risen some 150% over a year ending in June 1—so it’s actually still up from where it started in January 2—but nevertheless it has made for quite a media spectacle. [+] Read More

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Cybersecurity Threats

August 11, 2015

At WrapManager, we take your data security very seriously. With all the media coverage of data breaches in the media today, we wanted to provide information that could help reduce your risk of being compromised with a short list of suggested ways to protect yourself while still enjoying the ease of managing your life using email and the internet. Here are few things you can do to improve your cybersecurity: Consider making requests regarding your account by phone and make sure there is a verification process in place at your financial institution for withdrawal of funds; [+] Read More

5 Ways to Reduce Estate Taxes

August 6, 2015

Estate taxes are a hot-topic amongst both political parties and often big news when they are brought to the forefront of campaigns. While the parties battle back and forth, there are still some ways you can potentially reduce the impact of taxes on your estate. Using an estate planning checklist is a good place to start, as it helps you map out your estate planning strategy. Rather than take estate planning advice from just anyone, consider what you really want to do with your money and look for estate planning tips that are tailored to the plans, goals, and ideas you have. Here are five potential ways to lower your estate tax bill. [+] Read More

Clearbridge Investments - Multi Cap Growth Q2

August 4, 2015

Clearbridge's Richard Freeman and Evan Bauman, provide their perspective on the second quarter discussing views on market volatility, focus sectors, and interest rates. "Market overview and outlook U.S. stocks traded in a tight range during the second quarter, with the major indexes ending largely unchanged. The large cap S&P 500 Index gained 0.28% for the quarter, the small cap Russell 2000 Index added 0.42%, while the broad market Russell 3000 Index gained 0.14%. Volatility remained low as investors awaited a clear signal from the Federal Reserve on when it will commence raising short-term interest rates. The S&P 500 sustained its longest stretch without a 2% daily move up or down since 2007. That more than six-month stint was snapped on June 29 when the index fell 2.09% following the breakdown of talks between Greece and its creditors. The sharp drop – the largest for the S&P 500 since April 2014 – pared gains for most equity benchmarks. [+] Read More

Boomerang Kids and Your Retirement Plan

July 30, 2015

More and more adult children are living with their parents and grandparents, according to a Pew Research study. The 2013 study shows that nearly three in ten young adults ages 25 to 34 (29%) have lived with their parents in recent years, and 78% of these boomerang children say they’re satisfied with their living arrangements.1 Even if the adult children and their parents or grandparents are satisfied with the day-to-day living arrangements; it’s imperative that you examine how this situation is affecting your retirement plan. Supporting adult children can certainly take a toll on your retirement planning by potentially throwing off your timeline or the amount of money you are able to save. Your financial advisor can help you to see how the figures add up in your current situation. However, only you can strike a balance for your family between providing enough support to set your children on a productive course without undermining your own financial well-being. As you work to strike that balance, consider the following: [+] Read More

Federated - Strategic Value Dividend Q2 Commentary

July 29, 2015

Federated has released their second quarter, managed account commentary for their Strategic Value Dividend portfolio. "Market Overview The major equity indexes slipped in June, as generally better-than-expected data on the U.S. economy gave way to worries late in the month over a possible Greek default, exit from the euro or both.The bulk of the monthly decline, which saw the S&P 500, Dow and NASDAQ fall a respective 2.1%, 2.2% and 1.6%, came on June 29, when a strong risk-off trade sent global equity markets tumbling as the Greek issue came to a head. June’s losses were enough to push the S&P to a virtually flat total return for the quarter. [+] Read More

Geneva Advisors - Market Volatility

July 23, 2015

Geneva provides its second quarter market overview for 2015. They discuss geopolitical risks effect on volatility, global economic positioning and their optimism for the future. “Market Overview U.S. equities generated modest gains in the second quarter. Improving economic data, continued easy global monetary policy and increased merger and acquisition activity combined to help sustain higher equity prices.Geopolitical risks, however, now including those in Greece and China, caused increased market volatility. [+] Read More

Top Equity Money Manager Picks - Q3 2015

July 22, 2015

To help investors discover and evaluate money manager strategies, WrapManager’s Investment Policy Committee highlights certain strategies each quarter. These encompass a wide range of asset classes and investment disciplines. Here are this quarter’s strategies: [+] Read More

Gradual Retirement Planning

July 15, 2015

There is no doubt that Americans are working longer than ever before. Of those ages 65 and older, about 18% are still working. This is a stark contrast to the 10.8% of the same age who worked in 1985. 1 For some, this is good news as plenty of people view working late in life as a means of keeping active. In retirement planning terms, many are choosing what is called a “gradual retirement” - a retirement plan to ease into life as a retiree. The movement toward gradual retirement has gained steam in recent years and it may soon become the new normal. [+] Read More