Wednesday, May 2, 2012

April 2012 Market and Planning Update


ACTING IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD
Everyone has likely heard plenty about the inevitable tax and spending changes coming at the end of this year. Change will occur whether it is by default (in the event Congress and the President do nothing) or whether it is by our leaders’ own actions prior to midnight on 12/31/2012. When evaluating certain wealth planning strategies that have to do with income tax, estate tax, levels of projected growth and the like, a world rife with uncertainty can be challenging for the key financial decision maker in the average American household. READ MORE


MARKET COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS
We saw most stock market indexes take a breather during April although many are still considerably higher for 2012. Out of the five financial market indices represented below, only the two bond indexes posted positive gains this past month. Stock prices have appreciated significantly this year thanks to continued easy money policies by central banks, healthy corporate balance sheets, better earnings, and a gradually improving economic picture. READ MORE