The first five months of the year have produced strong equity returns and muted bond returns against the backdrop of strong economic data and COVID-19 containment. Going into the summer, a pause may be in the works.

On the heels of our 2018 findings, the 2021 WHY of Wealth® Survey digs into the evolving priorities, perceptions and beliefs that define our relationship with wealth. We examine the influence one’s age and profession have on wealth perception as well as the significant change in attitudes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic data in the U.S. continue to point to a strong recovery but the path to prosperity may prove uneven in the short term as some pockets of the economy respond faster to the significant fiscal and monetary stimulus than others.

With a robust global economic recovery seemingly assured, the focus has shifted to how strong and long it will be – and whether the capital markets, particularly stocks, will move in lockstep with the upward trajectory.

The first quarter of 2021 continues the strong equity performance we’ve seen over the last 18 months. Unpacking the various circumstances driving that appreciation will help shed light on investment opportunities as the year progresses. In this quarterly commentary, we examine the short and long-term factors impacting the equity markets.

As vaccination rates improve, fiscal stimulus continues and more businesses reopen, the U.S economy is poised for normalcy. Unfortunately, the majority of fixed income sectors has not benefited from these developments. Digging into recent economic activity uncovers the factors involved in the lackluster Q1 performance of many fixed income sectors.

The CARES Act legislation includes broad changes to tax deductions limits for charitable contributions. Today, we examine how changes to charitable contribution limits are impacting individual, partnership and corporate deductions during 2020 and 2021