Zephyr Blog

It’s probably a fair assumption to say that most investors are happy 2022 is in the books.  After enjoying the longest bull market in history, from after the financial crisis in 2009 to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bear finally officially rose from its slumber and dominated Wall Street. There’s no sugar-coating the fact that if you had money invested in the financial markets in 2022 it was an unpleasant year, perhaps even one of the worst you will experience as an investor. Click here to read more

Happy New Year and welcome to 2023! We hope that you and your family had an enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to what this new year has to offer.

Our primary goal for the new year is to continue to help optimize our client’s journey toward their financial goals. A key component to this is to identify items that they may anticipate needing our assistance with. In order to start the new year proactively, included in this communication is a 2023 Checklist to help our clients identify items they may want to address with us over the next year. Click here to read more

We believe the best client is an informed client. For this reason, throughout the year we provide our clients with a wealth of consistent and pertinent information on financial topics and markets conditions, including quarterly reports, tax reports, and articles. Our goal is to provide helpful, timely and meaningful information that is relevant to our clients’ personal situations. We also take pride in offering first-class service to our clients and are truly thankful for each and every one of our relationships. Click here to read more

“May you live in interesting times,” is an expression where someone ironically wishes an “interesting” time to whomever they are speaking with. Although it may seem innocuous it’s really an insult. By saying this, you wish the person to live during times of uncertainty and disorder as opposed to peace and tranquility. Investors are currently living in interesting times. In 2022, we have seen portfolios fall in value. Also, buying power has been substantially eroded by rising inflation. As a result, the Federal Reserve is intentionally trying to slow the economy to curb inflation. Click here to read more

Turbulence remains the signal feature of 2022: global markets are under significant stress due to rising interest rates, inflation, energy shortages, food shortages, the war in Ukraine and weakness of most currencies relative to the dollar. Investors around the world are selling equities and bonds, not just here in the U.S. Stocks are in bear market downtrends (defined as a decline over 20%), and bonds are broadly down for the year. Click here to read more

One of our main goals as holistic financial professionals is to help our clients recognize tax reduction opportunities within their investment portfolios and overall financial planning strategies. Staying current on the ever-changing tax environment is a key component to help our clients benefit from potential tax reduction strategies. Click here to read more

Like many other savers and investors, you may be worried that we are headed toward more challenging economic times. Successful savers and investors are usually more prepared to handle difficult financial periods because they understand some key foundational information. Maximizing a financially savvy lifestyle includes having proficiency in several areas. Understanding the basics of your income and expenditures, having credit and debt sense, and knowing how to invest and save your hardearned dollars are just a few. Click here to read more

The first half of 2022 has been a nightmare for even the most seasoned of investors. When looking back, from the March 2020 lows until January 2022, investors were treated to a 21-month bull market that saw equity markets rise nicely. Since then, the S&P 500 has dropped 20.6%, its worst first six months of a year since 1970. Click here to read more

During the last few years, borrowers and spenders have enjoyed historically low interest rates. However, analysts all agreed that at the Federal Reserve’s June meeting, interest rates were going to be increased. Although rising interest rates have been anticipated, many Americans aren’t feeling prepared for the effects of these new rates. Combined with today’s exorbitant gas prices, the continued forward push of inflation rates, and supply chain/inventory issues, many households are feeling the effects of interest rate increases. Click here to read more

After two solid years of strong returns, equity markets are currently experiencing a significant downfall in 2022. While it’s always possible equity markets could turn upward quickly, an equity downturn experience can leave an extensive impact on the psyche of even the most seasoned of investors and consequently impact how they manage their money. During downturns, some investors become too traumatized to put their cash to work in the markets. Others can react by aggressively day trading and making rash investment decisions.  Neither of these behaviors are beneficial for long-term financial success. Mitigating (i.e. reducing) the downside by using risk management techniques, like we do in  Zephyr’s Managed Portfolios, is key in times like theseto help avoid the traumatization and rash decisions that can come with a equity downturn experience. Not only can this greatly reduce the stress on an investors psyche, it could also helps investors with their long-term financial success. Click here to read more

The first quarter of 2022 ushered in our first real correction and a few formal bear markets at the sector and country level, since the last pandemic bear market in February/March of 2020. All things considered, the range of possible outcomes for the remainder of 2022 is far wider now than any time in the last decade. Click here to read more

2021 closed as a banner year for many investors.  Although history will record the Covid pandemic for causing one of the sharpest recessions ever felt by the global economy, the rebound investors continue to see nearly two years later has been just as remarkable. Post-pandemic equity markets in 2021 saw the S&P 500 create 70 record closes, the last one on Wednesday, December 29. The DJIA also realized 45 record closes in 2021.  Click here to read more

Happy New Year and welcome to 2022! We hope that you and your family had an enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to what this new year has to offer.

Our primary goal for the new year is to continue to help optimize your journey toward your financial goals. A key component to this is to identify items that you may anticipate needing our assistance with. In order to start the new year proactively, included in this communication is a 2022 Checklist to help you identify items you may want to address with us over the next year. Click here to read more

Market volatility is a part of the investment experience and seasoned investors understand that acting emotionally can be more harmful than helpful. It is always appropriate to understand and prepare for market volatility and downturns, even when markets are going up. Investors should not let market movements force them to lose focus.  A knowledgable investor understands that makets go up but they also can go down. Click here to read the full article 

In the beginning, there were no income taxes or federal government. Newly organized individual colonies made ends meet by taxing a variety of things other than income, such as occupational taxes and excise taxes on specific goods.  American history classrooms teach us that one of the original prompts for the United States Revolution was “taxation without representation.” Click here to read the full article

It is extremely important that we all take our retirement into our own hands. The concept of not preparing and relying on a government-sponsored retirement might not be the best plan. Financial woes combined with the fact that the U.S. population is continuing to age, means that there are fewer working-aged people remaining to contribute to our Social Security systems. On a positive note, strong retirement savings can not only help you, but it could potentially help your family and loved ones. Click here to read the full article

This special report reviews some of the broader tax law changes along with a wide range of tax reduction strategies. As you read this report, please take note of each tax strategy that you think could be beneficial to you. Not all ideas are appropriate for all taxpayers. We always recommend that you address any tax strategy with your tax professional to consider how one tax strategy may affect another and calculate the income tax consequences Click here to read the full article

Interest rates are important to investors and they are currently at or near all-time lows. At this past June’s Federal Reserve meeting, interest rates were kept at a range of 0%-0.25% and it was indicated that they will remain near zero until the economy recovers from the effects of COVID-19. The central bank stated that the federal funds rates will remain near zero, “until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.” Click here to read more

After a sharp waterfall drop in March, major equity markets advanced strongly in the second quarter. Following the Dow Jones Industrial Average's (DJIA) worst first quarter ever the index posted its best second quarter performance since 1938 rising over 17%. The S&P 500 ended the quarter up 20%, achieving its largest quarterly gain since 1998. Click here to read more