The first quarter has been marked by market turbulence due to the continued rise in inflation and the war in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is clearly the more important story, given loss of life and freedom involved and the potential global impact of any escalation by Russia.
As the situation between Russia and Ukraine has escalated from threatened invasion to an outright war, investors and consumers find themselves facing a rapid spike in oil prices. This development is nothing new. Oil prices have a long history of extreme short-term reactions to events both economic and geopolitical. We appreciate the angst investors and consumers feel from a sharp increase in oil prices. We believe that today’s elevated prices will prove similar to past spikes and move toward more moderate levels over time. It is important to remember that…
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last week. The situation is shrouded in uncertainty as it is the first attack of its kind on European soil in several decades. How should an investor handle geopolitical risks in their portfolio?
Throughout 2021, there has been much speculation surrounding an increase in income tax rates, a sizable reduction in the gift and estate tax exemption, also known as the applicable exemption amount, and the possible loss of a common tax cost basis adjustment, referred to as basis “step-up,” at death. For now, it appears that the proposed Build Back Better Act legislation is dormant; for exactly how long is anyone’s guess. Currently, the step-up basis adjustment at death remains intact, as does the applicable exemption amount, which increased to $12.06 million…
We are approaching the two-year anniversary of COVID awareness entering our lives and now have almost two years of stock market returns during that time. Of course, companies have been affected by COVID and it is interesting to see where some of the Lockdown Stocks are now trading as we’ve moved toward an environment of living with COVID. Below, we highlight the divergent paths of a sampling of stocks considered to be big “winners” from COVID. Peloton, manufacturer of exercise equipment, quickly became a shining example of a company which…
