Markets Are Reacting. Here's Why We're Staying Strategic

Once you’ve surpassed $1M in investable assets, true wealth management goes beyond basic investing. Here’s what you need to know. Even if you don’t consider yourself high-net-worth, having more than $1 million in investable assets means you are. At this level, wealth management becomes more complex, introducing new concerns that can keep even the most successful investors up at night. Concerns related to taxes, wealth preservation, or even economic uncertainty should not be ignored. 1 Complexities related to these, and other topics can intensify over time, especially without proper attention and strategy. The good news? Understanding your options is the first step. Let’s explore practical strategies for tackling each of these challenges head-on. 

Could a Roth conversion help you take advantage of current tax laws and market conditions? A Roth IRA offers a powerful way to create tax-free income in retirement, if it aligns with your long-term strategy. Since contributions are made with after-tax dollars, qualified withdrawals can be tax-free, provided IRS requirements are met. Roth IRAs also eliminate required minimum distributions (RMDs), giving you more flexibility over your retirement income.

We know the news surrounding federal layoffs is unsettling, and if you're feeling uncertain about what comes next, you're not alone. Change like this can be overwhelming, but please know that you have options and support. Our goal is to help you navigate this transition with clarity and confidence so you can make informed decisions for yourself and your family.

We are emotional creatures. Everything we experience shapes our beliefs, behaviors––our reality. But if personal bias is how we favor or judge decisions, then those judgements can be exploited if incorrect. And during your next financial decision, they could unknowingly affect even the tiniest details. Though personal bias is natural, developing an awareness of these complex thought patterns is an excellent way to foster a more comprehensive view of our finances. The 5 biases listed below are some of the most common among us today, and offer amazing insight into the psychology of investment behavior. What exactly derails us? How can we avoid it? Here’s the truth…

After reaching new record highs in recent weeks, markets plunged on worries that cheaper AI competition from China could pose risks to U.S. tech companies. What caused the market reaction? Let’s dive in. What caused the tech market crash? Much of the market run-up over the last two years has been driven by AI mania, with U.S. companies leading the charge. However, this narrative faced a test when DeepSeek, a Chinese tech startup, released an advanced (much cheaper) AI model. DeepSeek claims it was able to develop its advanced model for just $6 million using fewer hard-to-find computer chips, compared to the hundreds of billions collectively invested by U.S. rivals to develop their own AI models. If the buzz around DeepSeek R&D numbers turns out to be more than just hype, it raises questions about the efficiency and competitiveness of U.S.-based AI firms. Why are AI models so expensive to train? That is the trillion-dollar question. The rising costs of AI development have been a key focus for investors. Capital spending on AI model development is soaring, driven by the cost of the massive computing power needed to analyze data. The chart below shows the estimated costs to train some of the major models released over the last few years.

Taxpayers and retirement-focused investors have plenty to be concerned about over the next few years. Economic uncertainty, high inflation, and potential policy changes could bring more legal and economic change. In addition to this, many of the provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are scheduled to sunset after 2025. 1 What could that mean? There is potential for tax increases, particularly for high-net-worth Americans. Capital gains tax rates could increase to match ordinary income rates, rather than topping out at 20% as they do now. 2 America's national "debt hangover" could mean other taxes could increase to generate more revenue for the U.S. government. 3 That means it's more important than ever to make sure that you're taking advantage of every tax edge that you possibly can this year. Acting now could be crucial because you might not have the ability to seize these opportunities in future tax years. Fortunately, there are strategies that you can capture right now to make sure you don't pay more than your fair share in taxes. But you’ve got to act quickly, because some of these opportunities may not be around forever. This tax-savvy guide is designed for high earners just like you who are concerned about their retirement funds possibly facing an uncertain future that could include higher taxes. If you're asking yourself questions like: How can I best benefit from tax-advantaged accounts right now? Is there a way I can make use of my current tax situation, given that my taxes could increase? Are there tax-saving opportunities I'm missing out on? Is there something in my tax returns that I can use to my benefit? Do I have a financial professional who can help me squeeze as much juice out of this tax year as possible? Keep reading …

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