Salesforce took off this morning and hit a new high but there’s more to it than just that. If you owned more than one listed stock in the sector, there’s a good chance at least one of them also hit a 52-week high. Wall Street money managers can’t get enough of the stuff and right now. These price charts for the software names that this morning made the new highs list have the look of feverish, speculative mania. Typically, when a company has earnings that come in below expectations, the stock drops. Not today. If you remember to simply mention…

In Texas Top Cop Shop v Garland et al. ( case 4:24-cv-00478 December 3, 2024) , the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), questioning its constitutionality and its impact on small businesses. The CTA, enacted as part of broader anti-money laundering efforts, mandates companies to disclose their beneficial ownership information to a federal database maintained by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The Court’s Reasoning Judge Mazzant’s opinion strongly rebuked the CTA for overstepping constitutional boundaries. He noted that corporate regulation has traditionally…

Stock trades, donations and retirement contributions can have surprising effects on your taxes. Here’s how to use tax software to determine whether it will pay to pull the trigger. By William Baldwin, Senior Contributor Three weeks remain for end-of-year tax dodges. This review suggests strategies that might work for you and tells you how to find out if they will work. Some of these schemes are, or should be, familiar, such as harvesting tax losses in your portfolio. Some are less so, such as choosing Roth for a last-minute contribution to a self-employed retirement plan. All have the potential for…

If you are anywhere near the banking industry, you probably know they have continued to be on a “risk-off” mode and not wanting to get involved in extra lending. Private credit is a directly negotiated loan offered by non-bank institutions. These loans are also not issued or traded in traditional public markets, hence the label “private credit.” Why Banks Might Choose Private Credit Why would a business want to borrow from a company that is not a bank? Banks are lending less, so we can start there. In addition, these relationships between the lender and the business offer flexibility and…

I n his 2024 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett stirred debate among estate planning professionals by recommending that individuals share their estate plans with adult children before signing. While this advice promotes transparency and trust, it also carries the risk of conflict, undue influence, and reduced flexibility. For families with complex estates involving businesses, artwork, or collectibles, this decision demands careful consideration. The Benefits of Sharing Estate Plans Fostering Transparency and Trust Sharing estate plans encourages open communication, building trust and understanding within families. Behavioral economics supports this approach, highlighting that clear, early communication reduces uncertainty and anxiety.…

The passing of Pete Rose this year brought to mind the discussion of batting average versus slugging percentage for stock selection and portfolio management. Pete Rose had a lifetime batting average of .303 with 4,256 hits in his 24-year baseball career. This means he got a hit almost once in every three at-bats, which is an outstanding result but doesn’t get him into the top ten all-time for Major League Baseball. According to MLB, Josh Gibson holds the record for the highest career batting average at .372. On the other hand, Babe Ruth has the all-time highest slugging percentage at…

The small cap stocks had a good November with the Russell 2000 index this week hitting a new 52-week peak — higher than the earlier-in-the-month high. This price action puts it into the “outperform” class vis a vis, for example, the Nasdaq 100 and, for another example, the healthcare sector (NYSE: XLV). It might be that stock buyers have entered the feverish, speculative stage of the investment cycle and that this leads them to the smaller capitalized names thought to represent growth and gains. Whatever the case, these four on Friday’s low volume session were trading more actively than any…

The holiday season seems to roll in quickly after Thanksgiving, with many shifting focus to travel, family, shopping, and other seasonal commitments. But while holiday plans fill the calendar, it’s important not to let financial goals slide. Here are 11 valuable year-end financial moves to help keep finances on track. 1. Maximize Retirement Contributions If contributing to a 401(k), IRA, 403(b), or other retirement plans, check the IRS maximums for the year. Adjust contributions if possible to reach the allowable maximum. For those over 50, remember that catch-up contributions allow even higher savings limits. 2. Fully Fund Health Savings Accounts…

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 are having a good year with both indexes showing solid price gains from January to the present. Nevertheless, some problems are showing up with breadth divergences and other issues which tend to suggest that this bull market’s underlying strength may be waning. Although the large cap S&P index just hit a new high, the former stock market leader, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 can’t quite get there. Rather than analyzing in depth what the reasons might be, here’s a quick look (with commentary) at the price charts for each index and for some of…

The legal industry stands at the brink of transformation, fueled by the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology-driven solutions. The 2024 Clio Legal Trends Report provides an in-depth look at how AI is disrupting traditional legal workflows, billing models, and client engagement. For estate and tax planning professionals, these changes bring both challenges and opportunities. By embracing AI and rethinking service delivery, firms can redefine their value propositions and better meet evolving client expectations. The AI Impact: Efficiency Meets Expertise Estate and tax planning require a blend of technical expertise, strategic foresight, and deep client trust. AI offers…