Financial Advisors

How to get the ‘best of both worlds’ for Series I bond interest rates before November
RyanJLane | E+ | Getty Images After a difficult year for the stock market, investors have poured money into Series I bonds, a nearly risk-free and inflation-protected asset that’s paying a record 9.62% annual interest through October. With the rate expected to drop to roughly 6.48% in November, there’s a brief window to secure higher […]
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Young, wealthy investors are flocking to alternative investments, study shows. What to know before adding to your portfolio
More advisors are using alternative investments Alternative investments typically fall into four categories: hedge funds, private equity, “real assets” like real estate or commodities and pre-packaged investments known as “structured products.” Amid double-digit losses in the stock and bond markets this year, there’s been an uptick in advisors turning to alternative investments, as planners seek […]
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These are common (and costly) Roth IRA conversion mistakes. Here’s how to avoid them
Ridofranz | Istock | Getty Images Roth individual retirement account conversions may be alluring when the stock market dips. But it’s easy to make mistakes, financial experts say. The strategy, which transfers pre-tax IRA funds to a Roth IRA for future tax-free growth, may pay off when the market drops because you can buy more […]
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Here’s how to pay 0% capital gains taxes with a six-figure income
Luminola | E+ | Getty Images It’s natural to fixate on portfolio losses, especially with the S&P 500 down more than 20% for the year. But you may still have gains after years of growth, and the profits could qualify for a 0% tax rate, depending on your earnings. The thresholds may be higher than […]
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The CNBC FA 100 ranking recognizes advisory firms that help clients navigate their financial lives
Marko Geber | DigitalVision | Getty Images In times of uncertainty — turbulent markets, high inflation, geopolitical turmoil — we often write about what financial advisors are recommending to clients. This advice often boils down to “stay calm” and “don’t let short-term news lead to impulsive moves that have long-term consequences.” Many advisors also offer […]
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This ‘wild card’ strategy offers retirees a fix for unpaid quarterly taxes. Here’s how to use it
Portra | E+ | Getty Images If you’re retired and haven’t made the necessary quarterly estimated tax payments for 2022, there may still be time to avoid late penalties, experts say. Retirees must send tax payments four times per year if they don’t withhold enough from Social Security, pensions, investments or other sources of income. […]
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Here’s how advisors are helping clients slash their 2022 tax bill
Hero Images | Hero Images | Getty Images Weigh Roth IRA conversions With the S&P 500 Index down more than 20% in 2022, many investors are eyeing Roth individual retirement account conversions, which transfer pre-tax IRA funds to a Roth IRA for future tax-free growth. The trade-off is paying an upfront tax bill. However, lower […]
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These are the best ways to give to charity for the ‘vast majority of people.’ Here’s how to pick the most tax-efficient strategy
Catherine Mcqueen | Moment | Getty Images It’s easy to transfer cash when a charity pulls at your heartstrings. But other giving strategies may provide a bigger tax break, financial experts say. Despite economic uncertainty, nearly 70% of Americans plan to donate a similar amount to charity in 2022 as last year, according to a […]
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Nearly 6 in 10 donors may give more to charity despite economic fears, study finds
With lingering high inflation, stock market volatility and recession fears, it’s easy to see why some Americans might trim charitable giving. But some donors may be eyeing bigger gifts for 2022 because of that economic uncertainty, according to a study from Fidelity Charitable, a nonprofit enabling investors to give through a so-called donor-advised fund, a […]
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Benchmark bond yields are ‘bad news’ for investors as the Fed hikes rates by 0.75%. What it means for your portfolio
Morsa Images | E+ | Getty Images As investors digest another 0.75 percentage point interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve, government bonds may be signaling distress in the markets. Ahead of news from the Fed, the policy-sensitive 2-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.006% on Wednesday, the highest level since October 2007, and the benchmark […]
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