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A few weeks ago in Part 1 of this series, we pulled back the curtain on the hidden cost of top-line investment numbers. We examined how a headline pre-tax return can quickly shrivel after-tax reality once the IRS takes their piece of the pie, greatly diluting your return per unit of risk. But tactical options within taxable brokerage accounts are only part of the story. To build a resilient, tax-optimized wealth for both your working accumulation and retirement years, this we

The last week of July was subsumed by a volatile market and a news cycle dominated by coverage of the Federal Reserve’s (FOMC) Wednesday decision regarding interest rates. While it was the second such meeting under new chairman Kevin Warsh, unlike his first meeting last month, sentiment this go around pointed to the real possibility of a rate hike heading into the week.

Entering the second half of the year, mid-July has arrived with its typical imperatives that come along with the apex of the summer to finalize vacation itineraries and (just maybe) relax a bit before summer ends, the kids go back to school, and the businesses that always seems to creep up late in the year arrives. At the same time it seems the news cycle has been anything but relaxing. Temperatures have spiked across the country (with a side of apocalyptic smog from Canadian

There's something quietly extraordinary about celebrating the Fourth of July in 2026. This isn't just another summer holiday with fireworks and grilling. This year, America turns 250. A quarter millennium. For proof that the ideals written into existence on July 4, 1776 are among the best, you don't need to look much further than the longest-running experiment in representative democracy the world has ever seen.

As midwestern skies turn sunny, temperatures warm, and children make their way home from school for summer break, it almost seems on cue that we see a meaningful break in hostilities and political developments in Iran.

We frequently encounter investors who are highly satisfied with a 10% annual average return generated from their portfolio in its entirety, or a specific corner of it, depending on their risk level. On paper, a double-digit return sounds like an absolute home run. But looking strictly at top-line numbers isn’t the only way to track your financial pace.

June is around the corner and we approach the new summer season with Memorial Day ahead, vacation schedules planned, and pleasant weather in mind. So too, we conclude another positive earnings season for corporate America, with more than 80% of S&P 500 companies delivering upbeat earnings surprises with an average growth rate of nearly 28% .

Writing this week on the 5th of May, or “Cinco De Mayo” as it is known in some circles, has us thinking about tacos, and maybe a few margaritas as well. Aside from the obvious culinary aspect of the delicious traditional Mexican dish that has come to be associated with this week, we’re looking at the market landscape for reasons to celebrate. However, much like the recent spring weather in the Midwest, while the climate improves, there are a few grey clouds threatening to rai

What are donor-advised funds (DAFs)? They’re one of the fastest-growing ways to give to charity, combining flexibility with potential tax advantages. A DAF lets you contribute assets and receive an immediate tax deduction. You can even recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits over time. In 2024, Fidelity Charitable donors recommended grants totaling $14.9 billion, a 25% increase from the previous year. We’ll explore the benefits of donor-advised funds and the potential dr

The past few weeks have highlighted an increasing tension between two lumbering giants: the $31 trillion U.S. economy¹ and global input supply markets, oil and otherwise, impacted by geopolitics. The first week of April saw the release of a slew of economic data, all of which was exceptionally strong across U.S. markets. The ISM Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.7 in March, its third consecutive month of expansion and its strongest reading since August 2022.

Since late February, markets have entered a rates-volatility regime characterized by rising yields, raising concerns about inflation that have all but dashed any hopes of any rate cuts this year. Equity price action remains volatile and weak, however, coming on the heels of strong quarterly earnings results and forecasts for growth, seems more consistent with deleveraging and uncertainty, rather than a full macro slowdown.

Beyond the temperamental weather, March is also a month with historical precedent for upheaval. Shakespeare's famous tragedy of Julius Caesar brings to mind the famous line “Beware the Ides of March” which references Julius Caesar’s real life assassination in 44 BC. Ancient Roman politics notwithstanding, it probably won't be lost on our readers that March of 2026 has been marked by political and military upheaval as well.