Financial Planning, Insurance and Asset Management Resources

Public Markets

3 minutes read

The Bumpy Road to the Market’s Long-Term Average

Since 1926, the U.S. stock market has served as a powerful engine of wealth creation, delivering an average annualized return of approximately 10%. While this long-term performance is encouraging, it's important for investors to understand that these returns are not delivered in a straight line. In fact, they mask a wide range of outcomes that investors have experienced from year to year. The Reality…

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4 minutes read

The Role of Asset Allocation During Volatile Markets

Contributed By: Pijus Bulvinas, CFP Periods of market volatility often generate unease for even the most seasoned investors. News cycles filled with uncertainty and swiftly changing market conditions can trigger emotional decision making, leading to actions that may harm long-term financial outcomes. During these times, one principle has consistently proven its importance: disciplined asset allocation. Asset…

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4 minutes read

Navigating the Volatility of Financial Markets: Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals

Authored by: Austin Manning, CFP Market volatility is an unavoidable reality for investors, particularly high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) who have substantial assets exposed to financial fluctuations. While these shifts can create unease, they also bring potential for reassessment and repositioning within a well-structured investment framework. Addressing market turbulence effectively requires a…

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5 minutes read

The Hidden Risks of DIY Investment Management for High-Net-Worth Individuals

Contributed by: Dale Shaw, CFP, RICP For high-net-worth individuals, managing investments independently might seem like a cost saving strategy. However, without professional oversight, even the most financially savvy individuals can fall into costly traps. Investment mismanagement can lead to missed opportunities, excessive risk exposure, and significant tax inefficiencies. Here’s why DIY investing…

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7 minutes read

Adapting to Interest Rate Changes

Authored by: Nicholas M. Brown, CFA, CFP® Investors are navigating a unique economic landscape today, characterized by declining interest rates alongside a yield curve that seems to be shifting from an inverted state to a more typical configuration. It's a much different environment than even just 12 months ago. Understanding the dynamics of this environment and its implications for different asset…

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2 minutes read

Wealth Preservation in Times of Political Uncertainty

Contributed by: Austin Manning, CFP® In today's rapidly changing political climate, high net worth individuals and investors face unique challenges when it comes to preserving wealth. The strategies outlined below are potential financial planning and wealth management solutions to safeguard assets amidst uncertainty. Proper Diversification of Asset Classes Diversification is a fundamental strategy…

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4 minutes read

Election Year Markets

Authored by: Nicholas M. Brown, CFA, CFP® We are just a few short days away from Election Day, where the United States will elect its next President, the entire House of Representatives, and a third of the US Senate seats. This election cycle has seen a swirl of political activity unlike any other previous election cycle. It is not uncommon for election seasons to bring uncertainty, speculation, and…

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5 minutes read

Understanding Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) for Oil & Gas Executives

Contributed by: Tom Kelley, MBA As an executive in the oil and gas industry, particularly for leading companies like ConocoPhillips, Exxon, or BP, strategic financial planning is essential to managing your wealth effectively. One powerful tool that may be available to you is Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA), a tax strategy that could significantly enhance your retirement distribution plans. In this…

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3 minutes read

Navigating Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans: A Detailed Guide

Ensuring compliance while managing personal investments is a significant challenge for senior executives and directors of public companies. Company trading policies often impose restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest and insider trading, making it difficult for executives to sell shares. However, Rule 10b5-1 trading plans offer a solution. This article provides an in-depth look at these plans,…

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4 minutes read

The Power of Tax Diversified Investing: A Wealth Advisor's Perspective

Contributed by: Caleb Christian CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” This famous quote from Benjamin Franklin emphasizes an often-overlooked aspect of investing: tax diversification. While many investors focus on traditional diversification strategies—spreading their assets across various stocks, bonds, and asset classes—it’s equally important to consider ways…

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3 minutes read

Understanding Tax-Loss Harvesting: A Guide for Investors

Understanding Tax-Loss Harvesting: Tax-loss harvesting is a sophisticated investment strategy that involves the selling of securities at a loss to offset a corresponding gain. When applied effectively, this technique can reduce the taxable income and enhance the tax-efficiency of an investment portfolio. The essence of tax-loss harvesting lies in its capacity to lower the investor's current year's…

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3 minutes read

The Power of a Holistic Approach to Public and Private Equity Markets for Accredited Investors

The Power of a Holistic Approach to Public and Private Equity Markets for Accredited Investors When it comes to growing and preserving wealth, accredited investors have a unique advantage in harnessing the often-underestimated synergy between public and private equity markets. By utilizing a comprehensive strategy that integrates both markets, investors can optimize their returns and build a robust…

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6 minutes read

Is my money safe? Understanding the impact of a bank collapse

The recent collapses of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank (Signature) resulted in two of the three biggest bank collapses in U.S. history, behind the 2008 collapse of Washington Mutual. This has created uncertainty over the stability and liquidity of all banks, especially for those with over $250,000 FDIC limits in a single institution—including many small businesses needing liquidity for…

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4 minutes read

Why Average Rate of Return is Not the Key to Retirement Income Planning

Many investors use the average rate of returns as one of their primary metrics for assessing portfolio performance. In your earning years, the average rate is a useful benchmark because most people are focused on total wealth accumulation. But when you enter retirement, the order in which you experience those returns becomes much more important. A bad year or two at the start of retirement could have…

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4 minutes read

Inflation: Responding Appropriately with Flexibility and Discipline

Inflation is a hot topic these days with many experts and financial institutions offering predictions about the short- and long-term outlook. The truth is, no one can tell the future, and trying to guess our way around what will or will not happen is poor financial planning. Instead, let us take an objective look at the risks associated with inflation, the right mentality for approaching the issue,…

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2 minutes read

Opening the back door to tax-free earnings

As covered in our 401(k) – Super Roth article, a Roth IRA offers an attractive tax benefit. But, what do you do if you do not have a 401(k) or your 401(k) does not allow post-tax contributions? The answer is the Backdoor Roth which is the conversion from a Traditional to a Roth IRA. Both the Super Roth and Back Door options are for people who exceed the income limits (single filers that make over $139,000…

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15 MINUTES WATCH

15-Minute Quarter: Tariffs and Trade Wars

First Quarter 2025 Quarterly Market Summary Welcome to another episode of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter Granite Harbor Advisors presents a 15-minute overview of the last 90 days in the market and answers many common questions we have received. In this episode, Tariffs & Trade Wars, our very own Nicholas Brown, CFA, CFP® provides commentary on the last quarter and how we are navigating the current climate.

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15 MINUTES WATCH

15-Minute Quarter: Q4 '24

2024 Annual Review Market Summary Welcome to another episode of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter Granite Harbor Advisors presents a 15-minute overview of the last 90 days in the market and answers many common questions we have received. In this episode, our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP® provides commentary on the last year and how we are navigating the current climate.

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15 MINUTES WATCH

15-Minute Quarter: Red or Blue?

Third Quarter 2024 Quarterly Market Summary Welcome to another episode of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter Granite Harbor Advisors presents a 15-minute overview of the last 90 days in the market and answers many common questions we have received. In this episode, Red or Blue, our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP® provides commentary on the last quarter and how we are navigating the current climate.

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15 MINUTES WATCH

15-Minute Quarter: Shake It Off

Second Quarter 2024 Quarterly Market Summary Welcome to another episode of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter Granite Harbor Advisors presents a 15-minute overview of the last 90 days in the market and answers many common questions we have received. In this episode, Shake It off, our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP® provides commentary on the last quarter and how we are navigating the current climate.

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15 MINUTES WATCH

15-Minute Quarter: Recession or Recovery?

First Quarter 2024 Quarterly Market Summary Welcome to another episode of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter Granite Harbor Advisors presents a 15-minute overview of the last 90 days in the market and answers many common questions we have received. In this episode, Recession or Recovery?, our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP® provides commentary on the last quarter and how we are navigating the current climate.

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The 15-Minute Quarter: Back to the Future

The 15-Minute Quarter: The Upside Down Welcome to the latest edition of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter, Granite Harbor Advisors presents a concise 15-minute overview of the market's performance over the past 90 days, addressing the most frequently asked questions we receive. In this episode titled "Back to the Future," our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP®, dives into 2023 as a whole, providing insightful commentary on current events and market performance.

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On-Demand Video - The 15-Minute Quarter: The Upside Down

The 15-Minute Quarter: The Upside Down Welcome to the latest edition of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter, Granite Harbor Advisors presents a concise 15-minute overview of the market's performance over the past 90 days, addressing the most frequently asked questions we receive. In this episode titled "The Upside Down," our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP®, dives into Q3 2023, providing insightful commentary on current events and market performance.

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On-Demand Video - The 15-Minute Quarter: Don't Call It a Comeback

The 15-Minute Quarter: Don't Call It a Comeback Welcome to the latest edition of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter, Granite Harbor Advisors presents a concise 15-minute overview of the market's performance over the past 90 days, addressing the most frequently asked questions we receive. In this episode titled "Don't Call it a Comeback," our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP®, delves into Q2 2023, providing insightful commentary on current events and market performance.

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15-Minute Quarter: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Q4 - 2022 Quarterly Market Summary Welcome to another episode of The 15-minute Quarter! Each quarter Granite Harbor Advisors presents a 15-minute overview of the last 90 days in the market and answers many common questions we have received. In this episode, The Light at the End of the Tunnel, our very own Nick Brown, CFA, CFP® provides commentary on 2022's fourth quarter and how Granite Harbor Advisors is navigating the current climate.

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15-Minute Quarter: Paying the Risk Premium

Q3 - 2022 Quarterly Market Summary "Paying the Risk Premium" is the title of this episode. As you may know, our investment philosophy is built upon scientifically identified areas of premium return in the markets. We pay that premium by staying disciplined during difficult market environments so that we are positioned for recovery.

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15-Minute Quarter: The "R" Word

Q2 - 2022 Quarterly Market Summary We explain and explore the dreaded "R" word in this episode - recession. What it really means, what you can do about it, and signs to watch out for.

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15-Minute Quarter: Series of Unfortunate Events

Q1 - 2022 Quarterly Market Summary In this episode, we explore the impacts of rising inflation and rising interest rates on the bond markets, and the geopolitical impacts such as the invasion on Ukraine on the global equity markets.

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The 15-Minute Quarter: New Year, Same Headlines

2021 Year-End Review We are finally into a new year, but we are still seeing the same headlines. Rising interest rates. Inflation surging. Build Back Better is back on the Senate floor. The media has proven to continue to be in the business of selling advertising and not financial advice! Roth conversions are still available, and more.

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The 15-Minute Quarter: Back in Tax

Q3 - 2021 Quarterly Market Summary With the exception of emerging markets, the global equity markets were pretty quiet along with the global fixed income markets. We discuss some of the key headlines coming out of capitol hill regarding tax law changes on the horizon.

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The 15-Minute Quarter: Everything is Bigger Everywhere

Q2 - 2021 Quarterly Market Summary "Everything is Bigger Everywhere" is the title of this quarterly summary as global equity markets surge. Oil prices hit a two-year high as OPEC sees more demand. A cyberattack on US pipeline forces closure. US inflation hits 13-year high as prices surge. The fed pencils in earlier than expected interest rate increase.

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The 15-Minute Quarter: Small Cap Takes a Victory Lap

Q1 - 2021 Quarterly Market Summary A full year after the start of the pandemic, we reflect back on the victory lap small cap stocks have taken over the last year. A year ago, the headlines were "at least a fourth of the US economy goes idle from lockdown" and "decade of job gains erased in April". What a difference a year makes. The Dow closes above 33,000 for the first time, and the Russell 2000 up 15% just this year.

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The Biden Tax Proposal

Join Managing Partner, Brian Sak as he unpacks the potential tax legislation that is slated as part of the Biden Tax Proposal. While time will only tell which of these pieces of legislation will actually pass into law, it will most certainly give you a key insight into what lawmakers are focused on right now.

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Integrating Public & Private Market Access

With the expansion of Private Markets, Granite Harbor recognizes the significance of offering effective exposure to a growing asset class in investment portfolios. Additionally, we believe that more investment opportunities are electing to stay in the private arena for longer than they previously were. This idea is supported by the fact that: Investment in Private Markets as measured by Assets Under Management accounted for $13.1 Trillion in 20231. This level of investment equates to approximately 30% of the total market capitalization of the S&P 5002. Growth in Private Market investment has increased exponentially in recent years. Since 2018, private market investment has grown by 20% per year1. In 2021, the average size of IPO as measured by market capitalization was $3.96 Billion. In 2010, the average market capitalization was only $545 million3. Sources https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/private-equity-and-principal-investors/our-insights/mckinseys-private-markets-annual-review#/ https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-500/#data https://site.warrington.ufl.edu/ritter/files/IPO-Statistics.pdf

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2024 Tax Reference Guide

Stay current on 2024 Tax Rates, Schedules, and Contribution Limits with our latest 2024 Tax Reference Guide.

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Learning Center

Public Markets

Articles:

The Bumpy Road to the Market’s Long-Term Average

The Role of Asset Allocation During Volatile Markets

Navigating the Volatility of Financial Markets: Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals