The rating agency “Fitch Ratings” has downgraded US Federal Government Credit Rating to AA+ from AAA late Tuesday evening. A couple of things to note: Credit rating is similar to bonds, as it is to personal credit rating. The higher the rating, the lower interest the borrower has to pay because it is seen as Read the full article…
Referring back to my end-of-year letter, here are a few key points I went over. Equity markets have historically reacted to a recession BEFORE it starts. Back-to-back down years are rare. This should be taken as an opportunity. YTD Performance: SP500: +16.89% Technology: +42.77 Industrials: +10.19 Consumer Discretionary: +33.06% The market has seen significant Read the full article…
In this mid-week market minute: Positive Returns Continue; Focus Turns to Q2 Earnings Stocks continued their upward trajectory this week as the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its seventh consecutive day of positive returns on Tuesday. For July, all major indices are firmly in positive territory, with the S&P 500 higher by about 2.5%. After Read the full article…
At KROST and KROST Wealth, we have many clients engaged in the entertainment industry who lean on us for our expertise. From accounting, tax, wealth management, and the like, we are in solidarity with our clients and understand the situation they are going through. Below are some timely tactical financial planning ideas that may help Read the full article…
When a person passes away, the deceased’s assets are subject to federal estate tax if the total value of their estate exceeds a certain threshold. The lifetime exclusion, also known as the estate tax exemption, is a tax provision that allows individuals to pass on a definite amount of wealth to their heirs without being Read the full article…
Has the recession started? When will it end? Most questions I am getting these days revolve around the idea of whether or not we are in a recession. Rising interest rates, lower GDP, and corporate earnings all point to recessionary times, but it is difficult to know when we enter or when we are done. Read the full article…
Anyone can disclaim a part of their inheritance. By doing so, it would go to the successor’s heirs as if the beneficiary had predeceased the decedent. But what if the beneficiary doesn’t want that bequest to go to their children, and instead, a favored niece or nephew? Is it possible to do that? The simple answer is Read the full article…
Regarding Bear Markets and Recessions I realize that these times are scary. Volatility in the markets is inherently difficult, both on the portfolio and emotional cycle of investors. Recessionary fears are a common party conversation with discussions and debates over Federal Reserve interest rate changes, timetables, inflation, labor participation rates, and unemployment rates. Even, as Read the full article…
In this month’s recap: Stocks stumbled as investors worried that the Fed would maintain its tight monetary posture due to ongoing inflation. U.S. Markets Stock prices stumbled in February owing to growing worries that the Fed would maintain its tight monetary posture in the face of continuing inflation. For the month, the Dow Jones Industrial Read the full article…
We often get questions about what to do when a person wants to give up their authority over their personal and financial life. If they do not already have a Revocable Living Trust that provides for a transfer of that authority, then the next best thing is a Power of Attorney (POA). The person who Read the full article…
