With Congress acquiescing to all of Trump’s wishes and the courts stacked in his favor, many are concerned about an unbridled president. To the rescue comes the market. By Sergei Klebnikov and Matt Schifrin, Forbes Staff This past Thursday, President Trump did it again–and so did the financial markets. In a Truth Social post, Trump said that he would be carrying through next week on his previously delayed threat to slap 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods because (he said) these neighbors weren’t doing enough to stop drugs at the border. Then, in the oval office later, he said…

Do You Remember Five Years Ago Today? It was late February 2020. Something called the novel coronavirus was spreading. It had started in Asia, then moved to Europe, and was now making its way through the U.S. We had no idea how bad it would get. I was a guest on a podcast recorded at the end of February, and we discussed whether the virus would end up being a pandemic; would it be like another SARS—serious, but relatively contained? Or something far worse? No one knew. We were standing on a precipice, peering into the unknown. And if, on…

Every year, one of the most common questions investors ask is, “What do you think about the markets this year?” While no one has a crystal ball, understanding key trends and indicators can help investors stay informed and prepared. Markets are fluid and ever-changing, but tracking certain factors can lead to better decision-making and a well-rounded investment strategy. Here are six key factors to closely monitor in 2025: 1. Federal Funds Rate The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions remain a top focus. After a few years of aggressive moves to combat inflation, the big question for 2025 is how the…

One of the most misunderstood Social Security issues is how working past age 62 affects retirement benefits. Misunderstandings often cause people to make the wrong decisions about claiming benefits or mislead them about the likely level of benefits. You can begin claiming Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, whether you are working or not. The starting level of the benefits increases each month you wait to claim benefits through age 70. There are no increases for delaying claims after age 70. Though they’re called retirement benefits, a beneficiary doesn’t have to retire to claim them. You can…

The buy the dip crowd failed to make an appearance Tuesday and the tech stocks they’ve been pumping up suffered the damage. Some of the big names tanked lower and could not find the usual support. At some point the Wall Street algorithms will find the courage to move back in, but it wasn’t today. Tech stocks with more sellers than buyers First, for an overall look at the entire sector, here’s the daily price chart for the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund: This exchange traded fund has 69 holdings that include hardware, software, semiconductor names among other types of…

Investing is built on a few big promises: passive income, liquidity when you need it, and access to private markets. These ideas shape how we think about growing our wealth. But when you actually dive in, you realize things aren’t as simple as they sound. Passive income isn’t as hands-off as people make it seem, liquidity isn’t always available without taking a hit, and private markets aren’t as exclusive as they used to be. The thing Tying All Of This Together? Data. These days, the smartest investors aren’t just relying on gut feelings or old-school methods—they’re using data to navigate…

Artificial intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly been one of the hottest topics recently. It is transforming industries worldwide, and the private wealth management sector, including family offices, is no exception. According to the Citi Private Bank Global Family Office 2024 Survey Insights report, family offices are showing a growing interest in AI technologies. The report found that over half of the family offices surveyed have already gained portfolio exposure to generative AI technologies. However, while interest in AI for investment purposes is on the rise, its adoption for operational purposes within family offices is still limited. Less than 15% of respondents…

The weakness displayed on the price charts of these major, large capitalization Dow Jones Industrials is not a good sign for stock markets as a whole. Coming after a strong 2024, it’s an adjustment for Wall Street analysts to see how poorly these big names are performing just two months into the new year. These former leaders are having trouble finding the upside again. By downtrend, I mean that the price of each seems unable to power back up to or above the late 2024 high. That’s the first bit of price chart analysis, but there’s more. These stocks have…

Probate is a term that often sends shivers down the spine of those unfamiliar with its intricacies. It’s a process that conjures images of lengthy court proceedings and familial tensions, all set against the backdrop of grief and loss. Yet, understanding probate is crucial for anyone who wishes to ensure their estate is distributed according to their wishes. This article seeks to demystify probate, shedding light on its challenges and offering strategies to navigate or even avoid this legal labyrinth. As we delve into the mechanics of probate, its potential pitfalls, and the stories of those who have been through…

Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK/A, BRK/B) fourth-quarter earnings release also includes the annual letter from Warren Buffett as part of the annual report. Warren Buffett leads Berkshire as CEO and Chairman with Greg Abel, Vice Chairman of Non-insurance, and Ajit Jain, Vice Chairman of Insurance. The yearly letter continued the theme of previous years as a type of owner’s handbook for Berkshire shareholders. Buffett spent a significant portion of the letter focused on how to think about Berkshire’s insurance business. As usual, he noted that shareholders should focus on Berkshire’s operating earnings rather than the volatile GAAP results. Berkshire Hathaway reported earnings…