|
Weekly Economic Update
April 2, 2018
|
The Markets (as of market close March 29, 2018)
All major stock indexes posted weekly gains last week, as stocks recovered from the prior week’s steep losses. The S&P 500 and Dow posted returns exceeding 2.0%, respectively, followed by the Russell 2000 and the Nasdaq. While many of the markets were closed for Good Friday, last week was relatively slow in trading overall, albeit somewhat fruitful.
Last Week’s Economic Headlines
- Gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2017. Overall, economic growth, as measured by GDP, was solid in 2017. However, heading into 2018, a slowdown in consumer spending may curtail growth in the first quarter.
- Personal (pre-tax) income and disposable (after-tax) personal income both increased slightly in February.
- The international trade deficit increased by $0.1 billion in February to $75.4 billion. Exports expanded by $2.9 billion (2.2%), while imports increased by $3.0 billion (1.4%).
- The Consumer Confidence Index® fell to 127.7 in March after reaching an 18-year high of 130.0 in February. Consumers’ confidence waned in their assessment of present economic conditions as well as short-term economic growth.
Eye on the Week Ahead
The latest employment report for March is out the end of this week. Job growth has been strong in 2018, although wage inflation has been rather subdued. A strong employment report could provide further assurance of economic strength, propelling short term speculators back into the stock market.
|
Click Here to Read Our Current Magazine
|
|
|
Estate Planning:
Planning for Your Loved One with Special Needs
Guest Speaker: Steve Elville
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch to be provided
|
Presented by:
Steve Elville, Esq.
Principal
Elville and Associates
Managing Director,
Wealth Management
|
Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors and Elville and Associates invite you to a discussion about planning for your loved one with special needs. Attendees will come to understand what is involved in the planning process for a special needs family and the importance of preserving the loved one’s financial security and quality of life.
Topics to include:
- Understand what is involved in the planning process for a special needs family and the and the importance of preserving the loved one’s financial security and quality of life
- Key issues involved in special needs planning to be discussed – the role of public benefits, the ABLE Act, and using estate planning and trusts to protect assets (along with a discussion about the types of special needs trusts to consider)
- The importance of the “planning team concept” – how your planning team (financial advisor, attorney, CPA) can work together with you to provide your family peace of mind during the planning process
|
|
|
|
Estate Planning:
How to be a Trustee
Guest Speaker:
Gary Greenwald Esq.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch to be provided
|
Managing Director,
Wealth Management
|
Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors and Gary Greenwald, Esq. invite you to this interactive workshop on, “How to be a Trustee.”
Many individuals are named as trustees of trusts established for family members and friends. Service as a trustee can be a thankless and confusing job. This educational seminar is intended to shed some light on what it means to serve as a trustee and to meet the requirements of serving.
- What is a trust?
- A Trustee is a “fiduciary” (what is that?)
- How to manage the finances of a trust
- Determining where and when not to make distributions from a trust
- Obligations of a Trustee under the Maryland Trust Act
- Can a trustee be paid for his/her services?
- Taxes and Tax Returns of a Turst
Please join us as we discuss these topics and more.
|
|
|
|
Part 1 of 4-Part Series for Business Owners
Exit Strategy & Succession Planning
Guest Speaker:
Matthew F. Penater, Esq.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch to be provided
|
Managing Director M&A, BWFA
Principal, Elville and Associates
|
Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors and Elville and Associates invite you to this interactive workshop on “Exiting a Business and Planning for Business Succession.”
If you are like many business owners, your business plan may focus on growth, marketing or product development, or perhaps just day-to-day survival. As a business owner, it is also important to start planning now for the eventual sale of your business.
- Developing your exit strategy team
- How much is your business worth?
- Who will buy your business?
- What will make your business attractive to buyers?
- Tax Strategies
- Legal issues to consider
- Business housekeeping
Please join us as we discuss these topics and more.
STAY TUNED for details on Part 2 of the Business Owner Seminar Series
Part 2:
“Showtime: Selling Your Business”
July 12, 2018
Part 3:
“Wealth Management: Constructing an investment Portfolio”
TBD
Part 4:
“Estate Planning: We Can Help with the Things that Keep You Up at Night”
TBD
|
|
 |
|
|
|
