|
Weekly Economic Update
March 19, 2018
|
The Markets (as of market close March 16, 2018)
Market volatility has been fueled, at least in the short term, by investor concerns of accelerating inflation. Last week’s Consumer Price Index, retail sales, and Producer Price Index reports showed inflationary trends in February were subdued. Nevertheless, stocks posted weekly losses, possibly resulting from investor fears that the administration’s trade policy could drive up costs for domestic manufacturers. All major indexes lost value by last week’s end, led by the large caps of the Dow and S&P 500, followed closely by the Nasdaq, which dropped a little over 1.0%. The small caps of the Russell 2000 and the Global Dow outperformed larger shares. Treasury yields receded as bond prices advanced, possibly reflecting the weak inflation data previously referenced. The price of crude oil rose slightly last week and the price of gold dipped over the same time frame.
Last Week’s Economic Headlines
- The prices consumers paid for goods and services increased in February as well as in January. Price pressures over the first two months of the year have yet to appear, contrary to some opinions that inflation is on the rise.
- The prices producers received for goods and services advanced in February, and are up 2.8% from February 2017.
- Sales at the retail level fell in February for the third consecutive month, as consumers held off buying automobiles and other big-ticket items. A big tax cut, high consumer confidence in the economy, and a flourishing job market haven’t been enough to send consumers on a spending spree.
- The federal government deficit expanded in February, following a $49 billion surplus the previous month.
- Building permits and housing starts both dipped in February.
- According to the Federal Reserve’s report, industrial production rose in February following a slight decline in January. Manufacturing and mining were up; while the index for utilities fell due to warmer than expected weather
- Prices paid by the United States for imports continue to advance at a faster pace than the prices for goods sold by U.S. manufacturers to foreign countries.
- The labor sector remained steady, according to the Job Openings and Labor
Eye on the Week Ahead
Of particular interest to investors, the Federal Open Market Committee meets next week, after which it is expected to increase interest rates based on favorable economic conditions and strengthening in the labor sector. Inflationary pressures, which have been subdued, should not factor into the Committee’s decision.
|
|
|
Roth vs. Traditional IRA
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch to be provide
Roth IRAs and 401(k)s can be extremely beneficial for retirement investors. This BWFA workshop will show you how to take advantage of both of them.
|
Managing Director,
Wealth Management
Register today!!!
Only a few seats remain!
|
Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors invite you to a discussion on:
- Positioning your assets before you retire
- Reducing your taxes during retirement
- Extending the life of your financial assets
- Creating tax planning flexibility during retirement
Please join us as we discuss these topics and more.
|
|
|
|
When a Loved One Passes
Guest Speaker:
Gary Greenwald Esq.
Tuesday, March, 27 2018
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch to be provided
|
Managing Director,
Wealth Management
Register today!!!
Limited Seating Available!
|
Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors and Gary Greenwald, Esq. invite you to this interactive workshop on, “What to do when a loved one passes away.”
At this workshop, you will learn to:
- What are the first things we should do?
- What happens if he/she has done no estate planning?
- What do you do with his/her trust or will?
- Whould I continue to pay his/her bills?
- What should you do with his/her home?
- What is involved in settling a will or trust?
- Can a will or trust be contested?
Please join us as we discuss these topics and more.
|
|
|
|
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
Register today!!!
Don’t miss this informative discussion!!
|
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:
Protecting Your Assets Upon Your Death
Guest Speaker:
Gary Greenwald Esq.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch to be provided
|
Managing Director,
Wealth Management
Register today!!!
Limited Seating Available!
|
Baltimore-Washington Financial Advisors and Gary Greenwald, Esq. invite you to this interactive workshop on, “How to protect your bloodline.”
At this workshop, you will learn to:
- If you die first, how you can make sure that the assets you leave your spouse are beyond the reach of his or her creditors?
- If you die first and your surviving spouse remarries, how can you make sure that the assets you leave your spouse do not end up in the hands of his or her next spouse?
- After you and your spouse die, how can you make sure that your assets do not get distributed to your no good son in law or daughter in law (a crowd favorite)!
- How can you make sure thatthe assets you leave your children are managed in such a away that there is something left for your grandchildren?
Please join us as we discuss these topics and more.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
| Click Here to Read Our Current Magazine
|
|
|
|
