As year-end approaches, we want to highlight key tax planning strategies for wrapping up 2024 and preparing for next year. 

This list includes actionable strategies we may have begun implementing for clients or will consider at a more relevant time in the future. Our guidance for these strategies is specific to each client’s current projected tax situation and financial goals, ensuring customization for unique circumstances.

It’s often said after elections, 'It’s never as good as you expect when your candidate wins, and it’s never as bad as you fear when your candidate loses.' Despite the stock market's initial positive momentum following the recent election, we believe this sentiment also offers valuable guidance for the capital markets moving forward.

Fourth quarter is typically when we contact clients about satisfying their required minimum distributions (RMDs) from their IRAs & inherited IRAs ahead of the end-of-year deadline.

For those with inherited IRAs, keeping up with the most recent IRS guidance on required distributions is a little more complicated!

As many of you may know, in 2021, Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act – a new anti-money laundering law that requires action by most business owners.

Starting in 2024, many businesses will be required to disclose their ownership; this will be accomplished by filing a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes & Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

After a much anticipated and significant policy change, the dust has finally settled from the Federal Reserve's 0.5% rate reduction announcement on September 18th.

Historical data shows that stocks have generally performed well when the Federal Reserve has initiated a series of rate cuts. For instance, in five out of the last seven rate-cutting cycles dating back to the 1980s, the S&P 500 has shown positive one-year performance following the first rate cut in a series.

Election years stir market buzz, but do policies drive sector performance? 💰 Our latest blog breaks down surprising trends under past presidents.

The Federal Reserve’s future rate decisions are becoming increasingly linked to unemployment data. If unemployment numbers continue to weaken, they could be caught in a "no-win" situation

September has a well-documented history of being the worst-performing month of the year for the stock market, particularly when analyzing the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently announced a nationwide settlement resolving allegations that the industry colluded to maintain high agent commissions. This agreement has created the most significant law changes in the U.S. home buying and selling process in decades. Sellers and buyers must understand how these new laws impact their roles in a real estate transaction. This blog will break down what these changes mean for sellers and buyers, along with the considerations they should keep in mind going forward.

When selecting a financial advisor, understanding the various compensation models is crucial to ensuring that your advisor's recommendations align with your best interests. Financial advisors generally operate under three primary compensation models: commission-based, fee-based, and fee-only. Each model has its own implications for how advice is provided and the potential for conflicts of interest.

The easiest way to explain this recent stock market volatility may be to look at it from the viewpoint of the Federal Reserve (Fed). We believe the stock market is ‘bullying’ the Fed to make a rate policy change similar to what transpired in the stock market in the fourth quarter of 2018:

Given this increasing risk environment, our hedge investment strategy is designed to lower portfolio risk without making specific market timing calls 🌐

Learn more about how we strategize to protect your investments in our latest blog.

Despite mortgage rates near all-time highs in decades, residential housing prices have continued to trend higher in the post-pandemic economy. However, these same increased lending rates have caused prices to drop across many areas of commercial real estate. So, why have prices trended so differently in residential real estate?

With an interest rate drop likely, maximizing earnings on our clients' cash holdings is crucial.

We believe rates are likely to decrease this year due to the Federal Reserve’s guidance stating they will start reducing their Fed Funds rate soon.

At Compass Wealth Management, we have developed a set of comprehensive economic and policy indicators called Investment Road Signsᵀᴹ that serve as guidance for our proprietary investment risk management system. These indicators help us determine whether we are currently on an Investment Highwayᵀᴹ or facing an Investment Detour Strategyᵀᴹ.

A hedge is an investment that is made to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in an asset. Here at Compass Wealth Management, we use a hedge to narrow the range of outcomes in the equity portion of clients’ portfolios.

Many different measurements can be used to value the stock market. Of the most thirteen popular measurements listed below, eight are in the highest valuation category (Very expensive), four are in the second highest category (Expensive), and only one is in the middle category (Fairly valued):