TOWNELEY 2016 MARKET OUTLOOK

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Diversification is Paying Off
Diversification is Paying Off

The first quarter of 2025 has underscored the value of maintaining a well-diversified portfolio. Despite weakness in the US markets, international stocks, bonds and gold provided positive gains and helped buffer portfolio volatility. While risks persist around inflation, interest rates, tariff headlines and a likely economic slowdown, we believe client portfolios are well positioning to withstand near-term uncertainty.

2025: A Year of Resilience or Reckoning?
2025: A Year of Resilience or Reckoning?

Despite ongoing challenges, financial markets demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2024. Concerns about a potential "hard landing" recession, political uncertainty, and corporate profitability have proven unfounded in light of strong global economic growth. Corporate earnings exceeded expectations, fueled by advancements in AI, government support, and decreasing inflation.

While the current economic strength is encouraging, we have concerns as we approach 2025 for two reasons. First, U.S. market valuations are stretched, based on several valuation metrics. Second, if not addressed, rising budget deficits and interest rates could further strain the economy, stoke inflation and potentially trigger a debt crisis.

Resilience in the Markets: Key Updates in Q4
Resilience in the Markets: Key Updates in Q4

Legacy planning goes beyond simply naming beneficiaries for the material things you leave behind. It includes documenting your wishes, consistent with your values, with your loved ones in mind. Start by identifying your wishes and speaking with family members to clarify your goals, hopes, and vision.

Ten Steps to Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Ten Steps to Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Legacy planning goes beyond simply naming beneficiaries for the material things you leave behind. It includes documenting your wishes, consistent with your values, with your loved ones in mind. Start by identifying your wishes and speaking with family members to clarify your goals, hopes, and vision.

What to do When a Loved One Dies: A Checklist for Survivors
What to do When a Loved One Dies: A Checklist for Survivors

When your loved one dies, you might inherit the overwhelming responsibility of winding up their life. Aside from the funeral or memorial, there is much to attend to, including closing financial accounts, canceling recurring payments, and preparing the decedent's final tax return. Many of these tasks require focus and attention, which can add stress to an emotional time. Be kind to yourself. Don't try to handle everything alone if you don't have to. When people ask if they can help, take them up on their offer.

Leaving a Legacy for Grandchildren: Options for Grandparents
Leaving a Legacy for Grandchildren: Options for Grandparents

Grandparents of means have several options for passing their wealth on to their grandchildren. The best option or combination of options for your situation depends on several considerations. Among them are the ages of your grandchildren, whether any have special needs or disabilities, whether college or post-secondary education is a viable option, and the gift and estate tax implications. This paper presents a brief introduction to several options for grandparents to reduce their gross estate while leaving a legacy for their grandchildren.

Legacy and End of Life Checklist
Legacy and End of Life Checklist

You are welcome to use this checklist to guide your estate and legacy planning and to aid your loved ones in gathering the information and documents they will need to administer your estate.

Strategic Tax Planning
Strategic Tax Planning

Jack and Diane recently sold a business, transitioning from high income last year to a much lower income in 2024. Additionally, Diane inherited a substantial IRA from her mother a couple years ago and would like to use a portion of the inheritance to honor her.

2024 Mid-Year Outlook: A Tale of Two Markets
2024 Mid-Year Outlook: A Tale of Two Markets

• Technology companies continue to propel stocks higher year-to-date; however, concentration risks are high and potential for a valuation adjustment is elevated should optimistic growth forecasts fail to materialize.

• Strength in technology has masked underlying market weakness and the “Magnificent 7” continue to have an outsized impact on market returns and investor portfolios.

• To reduce exposure to market-cap weighted indexes and improve the valuation profile, we increased the allocation to value and managed strategies in our domestic equity portfolios.

Spring Cleaning: Getting organized with your finances
Spring Cleaning: Getting organized with your finances

Welcome to the Spring 2024 edition of Towneley’s newsletter. The theme is "Spring Cleaning: Getting organized with your finances." We will focus on taking easy steps to maximize your finances in 2024. Thank you for taking the time to read this issue, and we hope you and your family are well!

2023 Year in Review and 2024 Outlook
2023 Year in Review and 2024 Outlook

2023 was a year of resilience in the face of economic and market challenges. Despite a banking crisis, inflationary pressures, Fed tightening, weakening economic data, and stagnant corporate earnings, the Russell 3000 Index finished the year up 26%, with the MSCI ACWI-Ex-U.S. (International markets) Index up 15.6%. The bond market also ended the year in positive territory, with the Barclays Intermediate Gov/Corp Index up 5.2%. This marked the first positive year for fixed income since 2020.

Market Insights: Q&A with Towneley’s Investment Committee
Market Insights: Q&A with Towneley’s Investment Committee

Welcome to the Fall 2023 edition of the Towneley newsletter. In this edition, you will hear from our investment team in a frequently asked questions format.

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