WrapManager's Wealth Management Blog

As we approach the end of each year, we like to take a look back at which areas of the market outperformed others. As investors, this allows us to analyze why certain areas of the market may have done better than others, and it make us think about what we can expect looking forward into the coming year. Pulling up performance for this year-to-date (as of December 16th) shows us that US stocks as measured by the S&P 500 outperformed Europe, Asia and the Far East (EFA), and small cap stocks (IWM): Click for larger view These differences in performance may lead investors to wonder… [+] Read More

We are fortunate to have a brilliant CFA here at WrapManager, Doug Hutchinson. At our weekly staff meetings, he has been testing our abilities with financial quizzes. This month, he demonstrates how we make choices given our tolerance for risk. Risk Aversion Consider and choose A or B for each of the following scenarios: 1. You are asked to choose between getting $800 for sure or an 80% chance of getting $1,000 A.) Getting $800 B.) 80% chance of getting $1,000 (and a 20% chance of getting nothing) 2. You are asked to choose between losing $800 for sure or an 80% chance of losing $1,000 [+] Read More

The holiday season gives families the chance to get together for quality time and festivities, but it also presents you with an important opportunity – to have a constructive conversation with your family about your finances and estate plan. If you’ve been meaning to have this discussion but haven’t started it yet, the holidays are a perfect time to do it. While it may be difficult at first, the benefits to everyone will be worth it. Fidelity Investments found that 86% of parents felt peace of mind after having conversation with their children, yet only one-third of parents and children agree about the right timing for these conversations.1 [+] Read More

For years, Stretch IRAs have been used as estate planning tools to help pass on tax-deferred wealth even longer. By using a Stretch IRA, the IRA owner designates a younger-generation member of the family as the beneficiary of the IRA. Under current law, the beneficiary can elect to receive the RMD (required minimum distributions) based on his or her longer life expectancy. This method allows younger beneficiaries to potentially enjoy decades of tax-deferred (or in the case of Roth IRAs, tax-free) withdrawals. [+] Read More

Over the last few months, a string of global events have tested the markets. Whether it’s the spread of Ebola, the presence of terrorist group ISIS in Iraq and Syria, or the latest in the geopolitical chess match between Russia and the West, it seems there is no shortage of events that could impact the markets and your portfolio. The natural question on many investors’ minds is: will these events affect the upward market trend and is it time to adjust my portfolio? [+] Read More

Many investments view their fixed-income portfolio as a "safe haven" of sorts. Though each investor's goals are unique, fixed-income portfolios are often designed to help preserve principle, generate retirement income and potentially reduce overall portfolio volatility. Just like you do with stocks, it’s essential to make sure your fixed income portfolio is diversified. And although interest rates remain low,1 as Winston Churchill once said: "An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."2 Take the time to work with your financial advisor to review your fixed income portfolio. Here are a few things to discuss. [+] Read More

With much fanfare and a great deal of press, legendary bond investor Bill Gross shockingly announced his resignation from PIMCO on September 26, after 43 years with the company. Known as the “Bond King” for his track record managing the $222 billion PIMCO Total Return fund, Gross was leaving the company he helped found in 1971 and that he grew into a $2 trillion behemoth.1 Whatever the reasons behind his departure, it gives investors good reason to ask an important question: when the portfolio manager leaves a fund, should you remove your investments from the fund? The four considerations outlined below will help answer this important question. [+] Read More

We are fortunate to have a brilliant CFA here at WrapManager, Doug Hutchinson. At our weekly staff meetings, he has been testing our abilities with financial quizzes. These are great tests of your investment knowledge. Good luck! Scenario: ETF A has an expense ratio of 0.05% ETF B has an expense ratio of 0.20% Assume ETF A and ETF B track the same index and both track that index perfectly. So if the index returns 5%, then ETF A will return 4.95% (including the expense ratio) and ETF B will return 4.80% (including the expense ratio). Assume the index returns 5% a year for each of the next 3 years. Manager A invests $10,000 in ETF A at the start of Year 1 Manager B invests $10,000 in ETF B at the start of Year 1 What is the difference in wealth accumulation (in dollar terms) between Manager A and Manager B after 1 year? After 3 years? [+] Read More

Dividend money manager Brookmont Capital’s third quarter commentary provides a few tips that they recommend to their clients during quiet or volatile markets. “The chart of the Dow Jones’ price history clearly indicates periods of volatility and sharp declines. It also shows periods of dramatic upward performance. We have become so focused on short-term performance that we only see a lot of trees and not the forest. If you step back and look at the graph, the forest becomes obvious and the trees fade into the background. We understand investor angst. This is your life savings and your retirement. The following bullet points are what we recommend to our clients when the markets are volatile or quiet. The rules never change.” Download Brookmont's Full Commentary Here Get Free Research Reports on Brookmont Capital Management [+] Read More