Investment Management

The Rise of the Invisible Economy

The investment industry has come a long way, offering Americans more ways than ever to build wealth. But the rise of alternatives—once the exclusive domain of institutions and the ultra-wealthy—has made it more difficult to cut through the noise and identify what matters. We’ve developed a framework to help. For most of our country’s history, […]

Investment Management

The Rise of the Invisible Economy

The investment industry has come a long way, offering Americans more ways than ever to build wealth. But the rise of alternatives—once the exclusive domain of institutions and the ultra-wealthy—has made it more difficult to cut through the noise and identify what matters. We’ve developed a framework to help. For most of our country’s history, […]

Perspectives Market Commentary

A Playbook for Unprecedented Times

Take yourself back to 2019 when the year was drawing to a close. Imagine being told:2020 will be the year when our hospitals will be overwhelmed, offices will close indefinitely, scores of workers will be sent home and lose their jobs, and the developed world will be on sporadic lockdown. Now, imagine also being told that […]

David Y. Lin, CFA

A New Era in Death and (Estate) Taxes

They say nothing in life is certain, except for death and taxes. While neither is avoidable, there may be certain ways to mitigate the impact of taxes at death. President Joe Biden’s recently proposed “American Family Plan” highlights funding the legislation through increased income and capital gains tax on the wealthiest and highest earning Americans.What […]

Clifford Swan
Perspectives Market Commentary

Quarterly Insights: April 2021

We have come a long way in the last twelve months. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, concerned governments around the world closed large portions of their economies, restricting commerce and the socialization of their citizens. The commensurate economic recession was one of the shortest on record, as the monetary authorities (Central Banks), stepped aggressively […]

Clifford Swan

Long-Term Investors Cannot Ignore ESG

It’s no secret that ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) investing is more than a passing fad. ESG investors select companies with a focus on how the business impacts the environment, manages relationships with employees, customers, partners, and communities, and maintains fair and transparent corporate governance. These criteria matter to the investing public, which over the past […]

Daniel J. Mintz
Perspectives Market Commentary

Is Your Portfolio Prepared for 2021?

Investors in the United States have endured a tremendous amount of turbulence in 2020. We have experienced a large-scale worldwide pandemic for the first time in over a century; a highly contested presidential election; social unrest; a record quarterly drop in gross domestic product; and a sharp, fast decline in stock prices followed by a […]

Roger L. Gewecke, Jr., CFA
Perspectives Market Commentary

Quarterly Insights: January 2021

Calendar year 2020 is over, and it will be one for the history books. The COVID-19 global pandemic, combined with a contentious presidential race and a polarized electorate, deeply affected our investment markets, economy, political landscape, and personal lives. The past 12 months were exceptionally challenging in many ways, and yet, looking ahead to the […]

Clifford Swan
Perspectives Market Commentary

Putting 2020 Behind Us and Looking Towards 2021

We can all agree that 2020 has been anything but an ordinary year. In March, the U.S. and much of the world went into lockdown due to the escalation of COVID cases, hospitalizations, and, unfortunately, deaths. Consumer and business spending plummeted, and economic growth dramatically declined by 20% during the first half of the year. […]

Randall L. Zaharia, CFA, CAIA®

Goodbye to the Stretch-IRA and Hello to Testamentary Charitable Gift Annuities and Testamentary Charitable Remainder Trusts

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) that went into effect at the beginning of 2020 aims to expand, preserve, and encourage retirement savings*. Surviving spouse of the deceased owner, Minor child of the deceased owner, Disabled person, Chronically ill person, and a Person that is not more than ten years younger […]

Kenneth H. Dike

Quarterly Insights: October 2020

This is the third quarterly commentary in which the coronavirus takes center stage. The pandemic has impacted our society, economy, health, markets, politics, and all levels of government. We do not know the longer-term impact of the shutdown on businesses, whether additional fiscal stimulus will be provided, the outcome of the November elections, nor the […]

Clifford Swan

Are Tax Increases on the Horizon?

As we move into the sixth month of masks, sheltering-in-place and all the awful effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. government has pledged approximately $3 trillion to battle the virus and stabilize the economy. How can our nation afford this mounting bill on top of an already high level of government debt? Tax increases […]

Maxwell R. Pray, CFA

Financial Planning in a Pandemic: More Important Than Ever

None of us could have planned perfectly for 2020. This year has delivered a marked departure from the norm, as the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the routines, finances, and sense of security of many. As summer begins to fade and we naturally look towards year-end, we always recommend a check-in with your investment counselor to […]

Erica S. White
Company News Featured In

Clifford Swan Earns 2020 Financial Advisor Recognition

Clifford Swan was once again included in Financial Advisor magazine’s annual RIA survey, moving to the 16th largest independent registered investment adviser in California. The recognition highlights the firm’s ongoing growth while maintaining its disciplined, client-focused investment approach. The survey includes independent firms that meet Financial Advisor‘s eligibility requirements, including SEC registration and the delivery […]

Clifford Swan

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