While domestic markets reached all-time highs in 2013, emerging markets stumbled and declined just over 2% for the year in comparison to the 27% returns in international developed markets. On an absolute basis this doesn’t seem so bad but, looking back at history, the last time a performance differential between emerging and developed markets this … Continued
A neighbor growing up used to say that the “best thing about retirement is Monday morning.” While this may be true, as I write this – knee deep in a work day morning – it occurs to me that having a strategy that maximizes your social security benefits is another more tangible perk of retirement. … Continued
Estate planning is much more involved and offers more benefits than simply a plan to reduce your tax bill. In addition to issues that affect your family and control of your assets after your death, estate planning must also account for prevailing legislation that governs estates. For example, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 … Continued
Much like the annual visit to the doctor’s office, year end is a good time to review the state of your financial health. Here at Sand Hill Global Advisors, we regularly discuss these topics with clients, as they are important reminders to keep you financially fit. • Year End Tax Planning. Consult your CPA or tax advisor … Continued
In my 15 years of working with clients at Sand Hill Global Advisors, the topic that comes up more than any other is retirement planning. For many clients, there is excitement surrounding retirement. For others, there is concern as they begin to view their portfolio as a finite pool versus a roaring river. In order … Continued
As the buzz of activity surrounding schools and universities increases, we’re reminded of the planning required to effectively save for our children’s higher education. The options currently available to families interested in setting aside investments for higher education are primarily limited to custodial accounts and 529 plans. Over the last decade, 529 plans have evolved … Continued
The media is overly focused on propagating a falsehood, specifically, that bonds are now riskier than stocks. This is sensational financial journalism at best and, at its worst, potentially retirement damaging advice. It is a universally accepted truth that the 30-year plus tail wind to bond performance, caused by falling interest rates, is now behind … Continued
When Sand Hill launched in 1982, we had one primary objective in mind. At the time, the brokerage industry was evolving from the client-centric model we had known to a sales orientation. Brokerage companies, then as now, are the distribution arm of our industry. We aimed to retain responsibility for assuring our clients could count … Continued
“His mind now misgave him; he began to doubt whether both he and the world around him were not bewitched. Surely this was his native village which he had left but the day before. There stood the Kaatskill mountains–there ran the silver Hudson at a distance–there was every hill and dale precisely as it had … Continued
The current environment is providing much improved revenue generation for California government, as general economic recovery is leading to higher overall tax receipts from various sources. The real estate recovery in general plus the prospect in many locations of potential upward readjustments in property value assessments—beyond normal annual increases—are major contributors to this brighter income … Continued