Recent Insights
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2024 Virtual Wealth Management Forum
Johnson Investment Counsel recorded our 2024 Wealth Management Forum on February 7. CEO Jason Jackman provided a brief firm update, and CIO Charles Rinehart and Managing Director Brandon Zureick provided a detailed economic and market analysis. We also welcomed special guest Andy Laperriere, Head of U.S. Policy Research for Piper Sandler in Washington, DC. He and Jason Jackman discussed the market implications of policy and political developments.
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Fourth Quarter 2023 Newsletter
Successful investing is as much about temperament as it is about analysis. Often quoted legend of value investing, Ben Graham, cited erratic behavior as a source of many of the opportunities and dangers that emerge for investors. Graham personified the market as a symbolic trading partner, “Mr. Market.” People say that Mr. Market is sometimes greedy and sometimes fearful. Last year he couldn’t make up his mind.
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Year End Wealth Planning Checklist
As we wave goodbye to 2023 and say hello to 2024, it's time to reflect on resilient markets amidst economic uncertainty. The year started with negative economic indicators and aggressive Fed rate hikes to combat inflation, sparking recession predictions. Surprisingly, by mid-December, we seem to have sidestepped a predicted economic downturn. Looking ahead, with storm clouds on the economic horizon, we acknowledge that some factors are beyond our control. However, taking charge of our financial destiny, we present a checklist for tangible positive impacts on cash flow, balance sheets, and peace of mind.
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Investing's Biggest Challenge
Looking back to very recent history with more vivid recall can be helpful as a case study in economic & market resiliency. Was it “different” even then? Is it “different” now? Or will it be “this too shall pass” be vindicated yet again?
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Market Update | October 25th
In conversations with clients in recent weeks, we have fielded a number of questions related to the economy and markets. In this video, Chief Investment Officer Charles Rinehart, CFA, CAIA, and Managing Director and Portfolio Manager Brandon Zureick, CFA discuss recent trends in the market and economy.
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The Very Limited (But Useful) Case For Margin Borrowing
For prudent investors and most of our clients, margin borrowing is not a tactic we employ when constructing an investment portfolio and wealth plan on which a family is expected to depend for decades and beyond. However, borrowing on margin can, in select cases, be a smart move financially when used correctly, cautiously, and in very limited circumstances.
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Third Quarter 2023 Newsletter
Johnson Investment Counsel Q3 2023 Market Insight NewsletterThis year's market has felt more like that maze with each passing quarter. The initial wide-eyed enthusiasm and AI-driven investing in the first half of the year has been
replaced by a range of worries. Labor strikes, the resumption of student loan payments, and potential government shutdowns have dominated the financial news cycle. Inflation concerns, a growing deficit, and Fed policy loom large, pushing interest rates higher and bringing volatility back to the stock and bond markets. In the midst of all this, I thought the best use of this quarter's newsletter would be to zoom out and take a fresh look at the map.
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Retirement Spending Reconsidered
It’s challenging to change the lifelong savings habit imprinted on the psyche. But if proper wealth planning and an in-depth cash flow plan yield a very high probability of the capacity to spend more, we are strong advocates. Spending on experiences and time-saving services is often overlooked; however, it can significantly enhance a retirement lifestyle without filling up the basement and garage with more stuff.
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72(t) Payments: A Tool for Early Retirement Flexibility
Generally, retirement accounts should remain fully invested, monitored, and left to grow over time. However, as interest rates have increased over the past year, Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) have become a viable strategy for individuals to consider in unlocking the flexibility of retirement funds sooner while avoiding the burden of penalties.
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2023 Patrick Chong Memorial Scholarship Recipients Awarded
Jason Jackman, CFA, Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Investment Counsel, presented the Patrick Chong Memorial Scholarship to two outstanding students, Grace Gehner and Sosi Mahdasian.
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Second Quarter 2023 Newsletter
The S&P 500 is up over 20% from the lows it set last October. All in all, I’d say the year so far has been off to a surprisingly pleasant start. The 2023 economic environment has hardly been a walk in the park. We’ve seen the Leading Economic Index continues to fall. The current reading, -7.9%, is a level which has preceded or coincided with the recession, without fail, going back at least 30 years
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The Math and Mindset of Holding Concentrated Positions
Concentrated positions are a great problem to have because it usually means extremely strong growth, but there are many factors to consider when managing this situation prudently. Handling these situations is a case study of how the integration of investment management, tax planning, estate planning, and cash flow is critical
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Johnson Investment Counsel Names Seven New Shareholders
Johnson Investment Counsel is pleased to announce nine new shareholders to the firm. The shareholders include Bryan J. Andress, CFA, Sandy F. Himmelsbach, CFP®, ChSNC®, R. Ryan Martin, CFA, Laura R. Mattern, CFA, CFP®, Maxwell T. Monk, CFA, Justin T. Rowden, CFP®, and Michael R. Timm, CFA, CFP®.
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The US Dollar: Concerns, Confidence, and What To Do
With so many recent headlines surrounding the debt ceiling, inflation, and interest rates, chatter around a global weakening of the US dollar has ramped up along with concerns by some investors. We think, while concern around this topic is troubling, it should not be the primary focus of a family’s wealth plan. Instead of focusing on US currency relative to other countries, we think families should focus on tax efficient investment and wealth plans that help maintain purchasing power of assets relative to domestic goods and services, which provides a more real-world impact on day-to-day life.
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