Main Takeaway The U.S. economy rebounded from a slow fourth quarter, expanding at a 2.1% annualized rate1 in Q1. Consumer spending remained resilient despite declining consumer confidence. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East continue to pressure energy prices and add to market uncertainty. The labor market remains healthy overall but is showing signs of cooling,...
Charitable bequests are one of the most tax-efficient ways to leave a legacy. By designating a charity as a beneficiary of your IRA or estate, you can maximize the impact of your giving and potentially reduce your heirs’ tax burden. However, as considerate as these strategies may be, real-world implementation can often bring about unexpected complications. Understanding both the...
At the core of any wealth management offering is the advisory team—the professionals responsible for building relationships, delivering advice, and earning client trust. At Focus, these teams are typically comprised of a lead Wealth Advisor (WA) and an Associate Wealth Advisor (AWA). Together, they account for the majority of time spent with clients, delivering life-forward...
A steepening yield curve may sound technical, but for bond investors it can signal something practical: the potential to earn more income from longer-term bonds. What Does It Mean? A steepening yield curve simply means that longer-term bonds are offering higher yields relative to shorter-term bonds. In other words, investors are getting paid more to...
Identity theft prevention is a crucial component of comprehensive wealth management. Ideally, you and your advisor take a proactive approach to safeguarding your financial assets from fraud or theft. To protect yourself from identity theft, you should secure your digital footprint, monitor your accounts regularly, and understand how scammers target high-net-worth individuals. This guide outlines actionable steps you can take to...
The natural question we've been hearing from clients is a simple one: Should I try to get in? As a general rule, we don't recommend that clients participate in IPOs. That has very little to do with any single company; it has to do with how IPOs actually work. Let's Start with the So-Called ‘IPO...
Whether it is a student heading off to college for the first time, a parent or grandparent wanting to create opportunity for the next generation, or an individual returning to school to build a better future, education has long been viewed as an investment worth making. Higher education is meant to open doors without closing off...
Initial public offerings are gaining momentum in 2026 with several high-profile companies preparing to go public. We take a deeper look at what this could mean for you. After several lean years, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most active markets for initial public offerings in recent memory. The excitement is understandable,...
What Could the Appointment of the New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Mean for Markets? Some people hear "Warsh" and immediately think: lower rates, easy money, problem solved. And it’s easy to understand why. He's often talked about the economic benefits of productivity growth and deregulation. But if you look at his record at the Fed,...
Tax-return preparation is becoming a core component of modern wealth management. In recent years, clients have benefited dramatically as their financial advisors have adopted increasingly “holistic” approaches to wealth management. In addition to foundational portfolio-management services, many of the industry’s most capable firms now offer tax planning, estate planning, risk management, and other services such...