Economic Overview – Q1 2025
By Rich Frankel Section Overview Section 1: US Gross Domestic Product Before Entering the discussion of US GDP, it should be noted that the most recent release from the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis states that in 4Q2024, the growth rate for US GDP is 2.4% from the previous quarter. While this is below […]
Wasmer Schroeder Quarterly Bond Market Overview 1Q 2025
Reimagining Global Trade (and the Volatility That Goes Along with It) By John Majoros, Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of Taxable Strategies This year started with much promise. The new administration's focus on business and growth overshadowed the background talk of tariffs and trade wars and the implications for inflation and economic growth. Fast forward [...]
Advocacy and Impact – Q1 2025
Shifts in Engagement and Dialogue Calls In 2025, corporate engagement is adapting to a changing regulatory and political landscape. With a new administration in office, companies are demonstrating caution in making firm commitments during dialogue calls, a shift likely influenced by evolving priorities and uncertainties around policy direction. While many organizations reaffirm their commitment to […]
Shareholder Advocacy Annual Review
Join Kaitlyn Mitchell, Shareholder Engagement Coordinator at First Affirmative, for an in-depth look at how we're driving corporate responsibility through strategic shareholder advocacy. In this 30-minute podcast, learn how we shape shareholder engagement into meaningful environmental and social impact, and how our engagement approach is shaping corporate behavior. You'll learn about: - First Affirmative’s proxy [...]2024 Annual Engagement Overview
By Kaitlyn Mitchell, MBA, Shareholder Engagement Coordinator View the Full Engagement Overview Report Here. First Affirmative Engagement Priorities First Affirmative’s engagement priorities for the 2023-2024 proxy season exemplify our commitment to meaningful advocacy through a variety of channels, including signed letters, public policy advocacy, campaigns, and shareholder proposals. Addressing climate-related issues remains at the forefront […]
10 Reasons Why a Direct Indexing Solution Can Help You Grow Your Practice
Read the Full Article Here. Direct indexing has been a tool for high-net-worth investors for decades, but advancements in technology like fractional shares have transitioned it into a widely accessible and indispensable strategy. By allowing clients to own the individual stocks that make up an index rather than a pooled investment like a mutual fund […]
Wasmer Schroeder Quarterly Bond Market Overview 4Q 2024
The (Not So) Little Economy That Could By Tom Richmond, Co-Head of Taxable SMA Strategies, Senior Portfolio Manager By now, you are probably tired of reading (although still wondering how so many folks get paid so much to be so wrong) that the U.S. economy must be in, or heading into, a dark, recessionary period. [...]
Market Commentary – Q4 2024
Welcome to the Jungle Overview US equities extended their impressive run in 2024, with the S&P 500 advancing 25%, building on the 26% gain in 2023. The index reached record highs, surpassing its January 2022 peak by 23% and the March 2020 COVID-19 low by a remarkable 163% (see Figure 1). For the second consecutive [...]
Wasmer Schroeder Quarterly Bond Market Overview 3Q 2024
Finally By Tom Richmond, Co-Head of Taxable SMA Strategies, Senior Portfolio Manager As we guessed (hoped) in our update last quarter, the third quarter finally delivered some action on several fronts worthy of discussion and analysis. The U.S. economy continued to perform reasonably well, as well, as third quarter Gross Domestic Product growth in currently […]
