Published Articles
Wealth Planning
Wealth Planning
Want to build emotional resilience into your retirement plan? Here’s where to start.
Abigail Gunderson, CFP®, December 2024
Some of the most rewarding work I do is with clients who are in or approaching retirement. I get to see my clients pursue their passions without distraction, deepen their relationships with family, and use the wealth they have earned to make the world around them a better place.
Remember Me? It’s Your Estate Plan, Calling.
Peter Faust, CFP®, October 2024
For many people, the act of creating and implementing an estate plan is sometimes not easy and straightforward. For a lucky few, it is.
Major Changes Coming in 2026 with the Expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Keith Fenstad, CFP®, October 2024
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 brought significant changes to the U.S. tax code. Unfortunately, many of these provisions were temporary and sunset at the end of 2025 unless congress acts to make some or all of them permanent.
Economy
Economy
Quarterly Economic Overview & Outlook
John Merrill, Tom Bruce, January 3, 2025
Review. The U.S. economy exceeded almost everyone’s expectations in 2024, delivering strong growth and setting the stage for further expansion in 2025.
Outlook. The U.S. economy enters 2025 with the same tailwinds that boosted the 2024 economy – robust business investment (Chart 6), a solid labor market, and strong consumer spending.
John Merrill, Tom Bruce, December 2, 2024
U.S. economic growth was a solid 2.8% in the third quarter and is tracking 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Growth between 2% and 3% might be termed a “Goldilocks” economy – not too hot, and not too cold.
John Merrill, Tom Bruce, November 4, 2024
This economic cycle has outperformed almost anyone’s expectations. Over the past two years, the economic outlook has gone from an almost certain recession all the way to a debate between steady economic growth (around 2%) or exceptional growth (closer to 3%).
Markets
Markets
Quarterly Markets Overview & Outlook
John Merrill, Tom Bruce, Curtis Holden, CFA®, January 3, 2025
Overview. Asset class performances diverged in 2024 as they reacted to the cross currents of a strong U.S. economy, weakness abroad, geopolitical tensions, a flip-flop from the Fed on interest rates, and anticipation of the new President’s policies after the election.
Monthly Financial Markets Update
John Merrill, Tom Bruce, December 2, 2024
Strength in the U.S. economy along with the anticipation of upcoming policy changes in the new Trump administration were the primary drivers of financial markets in November.
Monthly Financial Markets Update
John Merrill, Tom Bruce, November 4, 2024
October was a month of heightened volatility due to the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election and outlook for monetary policy. U.S. stocks declined modestly, bonds were under pressure, and REITs lost ground.
Founder's Perpective
Founder’s Perspective
John Merrill, October 2, 2024
Exactly six years ago, the title of my Perspective was A New World Order (October 2018). The main message of that piece was that the post-WWII world order was breaking apart. The rules formerly agreed for international trade, investment, and security were being undermined by China.
John Merrill, July 2024
Winston Churchill once stated, “Americans will always do the right thing after they have tried everything else.”
ETF Revolution in Investment Management
John Merrill, April 2024
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). In 1993, State Street Global Advisors introduced a new structure for housing an investment portfolio, the Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). The first ETF was the SPDR S&P 500 Trust (SPY).
Books
Books Published
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Investing in Uncertain Times 2nd Edition (2018)
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Investing in UNCERTAIN Times (2012)
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The Sure Road to Investment Success
Building Your Best Portfolio for Risk and Reward
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The Sure Road to Investment Success
Preserving and Enhancing Wealth Over a Lifetime
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Outperforming the Market
Everyone's Guide to High-Profit, Low-Risk Investing
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Beyond Stocks
A Guide to the Best Performing Complete Portfolios
