#portfoliomanagement

2022 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’. May the New Year 2023 be more prosperous.

Here are 3 things you need to know:

1. The S&P 500 index was off (-19.4%), the worst yearly decline since 2008.
2. Long-term treasuries were down (-30%) as interest rates rose the most since 1980.
3. Cash has the lowest real yields since 1830, other than during the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. (Source: FRB, Robert Shiller)

Sources:

Sources: J.P. Morgan Asset Management – Economic Update; Bureau of Economic Analysis (www.bea.gov); Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov); Federal Open Market Committee (www.federalreserve.gov); Bloomberg; FactSet.

Indices:

• The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based index used as a proxy for the U.S. bond market. Total return quoted.
• The S&P 500 is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities and is commonly used as a proxy for the U.S. stock market. Price return quoted.
• The MSCI ACWI ex-US Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 developed market countries (excluding the U.S.) and 27 emerging market countries.  The index covers approximately 85% of the global equity opportunity set outside the U.S. Price return quoted.
• The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid-cap segments in 26 emerging markets. Price return quoted (USD).

Disclosure: BFSG does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to BFSG’s website or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Company), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s). Please see important disclosure information here.

By:  Paul Horn, CFP®, CPWA®, Senior Financial Planner

As the final part of the series, we look at Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP). Although these are not explicitly for executives, this is an important benefit that is not well understood and often underutilized. In case you missed Part 1 on Deferred Comp plans and Part 2 on Stock Options, read here and here, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

While technically this is not specific to executive compensation, it is an important benefit offered by many employers that is underutilized and not understood.  An employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) allows any employee to purchase their employer’s stock, typically at a 5% – 15% discount. For example, if the stock is $20 per share and the company offers a 10% discount, the employee pays $18 per share and from day one they have a $2 gain on the stock. Typically, these stock purchases are done via payroll deductions like other benefits. Participating in an ESPP can be an important strategy to accomplish your financial goals. Getting a discount on your stock purchase and holding it so it can appreciate over time is a good strategy to accumulate wealth.

The taxes on ESPP plans can be complex since not all plans are the same. The discount is taxed as ordinary income at the time of purchase. You will then pay taxes on the gains of the stock when you sell it (either short-term or long-term capital gains tax depending on your holding period). Speak to a Certified Financial Planner™ professional to understand the tax rules around your particular plan.

Tips for ESPPs

• ESPPs are a great way to accumulate wealth over time.
• Work with a CFP® professional or tax professional to understand the tax implications of your plan.
• Perform cash flow planning to help determine how much to contribute to an ESPP. You do not want to save so much that you have trouble paying monthly bills.
• Be aware of stock concentration risk. We all remember Enron and the employees whose stock ended up being worthless.

As you can see, we have just covered the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding executive compensation. It is always best to work with a CFP® professional who can help you understand your benefits and put a plan together to maximize them.

Disclosure: BFSG does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to BFSG’s website or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Company), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s). Please see important disclosure information here.

As we wrap up 2022, it’s important to take a closer look at any year-end investment decisions that could result in substantial tax savings.

In terms of investment planning, investing in capital assets may increase your ability to time the recognition of some of your income and may help you to take advantage of tax rates that are lower than the ordinary income tax rates. You have the flexibility to control when you recognize the income or loss on many types of investment assets. In most cases, you determine when to sell your capital assets.

In some cases, however, shifting potential capital gain income to other taxpayers through gifting may be an appropriate strategy.

How do you use the capital gains tax to lower your taxes?

Capital gains and losses are accorded special tax treatment. Currently, the top long-term capital gains tax rate is 20% (for most types of assets), while the top ordinary income tax rate is 37% — that’s a difference of 17%. As a consequence, by converting some of your ordinary income to long-term capital gain income, it may be possible for you to reduce your federal income tax liability.

Tip: Long-term capital gains are generally taxed at special capital gains tax rates of 0%, 15%, and 20% depending on your taxable income. The actual process of calculating tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends is extremely complicated and depends on the amount of your net capital gains and qualified dividends and your taxable income.

In addition, the 3.8% net investment income tax applies to some or all of your net investment income (including capital gains) if your modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 for single or head of household taxpayers, $250,000 for married filing jointly, or $125,000 for married filing separately.

Timing your capital gain recognition

Careful timing of when you sell capital assets may help you to reduce your federal income tax liability. For example, if it’s late in the year and you want to sell a capital asset, you can wait until January to sell it so that you realize your capital gain or loss next year (assuming that you have a calendar tax year). This strategy is particularly useful if you are in a higher marginal tax bracket in the current year and expect to be in a lower one in the following year. Timing can also be important because capital gain income increases your adjusted gross income (AGI).  The amount and availability of certain tax benefits may depend on the amount of your AGI. For example, the itemized deduction for medical expenses is available only to the extent medical expenses exceed 7.5% of AGI.

Plan your year-end capital gain and loss status

Planning the time when you recognize capital losses may also be important. If you expect to recognize a capital gain this year, you should review your portfolio for possible capital losses that can be used to offset the gains. If you have any capital loss carryforwards, you should review your portfolio for capital gain opportunities to make use of such carryforwards. In general, net capital losses are deductible dollar-for-dollar against net capital gains. Excess losses are allowed to offset up to $3,000 ($1,500 for individuals filing married filing separate tax returns) of ordinary income per year. Losses over and above the limit may be carried forward indefinitely.

The following strategies may be appropriate:

• Sell capital gain property before the end of the year if you have already realized capital losses for the year that exceed the sum of any capital gains you have realized plus $3,000 ($1,500 for individuals filing married filing separate tax returns).
• If you have gains for the year that exceed your losses, sell property with built-in losses to offset the excess gains.
• If your other allowable deductions for the year exceed your income, you should, to the extent possible, avoid realizing any further capital losses for the year.
• If you’ve held a capital asset for close to 12 months and want to sell it, wait awhile (if possible). You can take advantage of the lower long-term capital gains rates if you hold the asset for over 12 months before selling it.

How do you select investments to control income?

You can select investments likely to produce ordinary income such as interest, or income that is taxed at reduced rates (certain qualifying dividends or long-term capital gains). You can also select investments likely to produce ordinary or capital losses. You can control when your investment earnings are taxed, bearing in mind that income distributions are generally not taxed until you receive them (assuming that you use the cash method of accounting). By knowing the tax rules, you can lower your taxes.

What about shifting income?

It may be possible to shift potential capital gains to other taxpayers through gifts. If you are in a higher tax bracket, you might transfer appreciated assets to relatives in lower tax brackets. For example, consider donating appreciated assets that have been held for more than one year, rather than cash. Opening and funding a donor advised fund (DAF) is appealing to many as it allows for a tax-deductible gift in the current year and the ability to dole out those funds to charities over multiple years. There is an annual exclusion for gifts ($16,000 per donee in 2022, $32,000 for married couples).

Whether it’s year-end investment planning or getting answers to your tax and financial planning questions, we’re here for you. Please contact our office today at (888) 726-9378 or email us for a complimentary review. As always, planning ahead can help you minimize your tax bill and position you for greater success.

Prepared by AICPA. Edited by BFSG. Copyright 2022.

Disclosure: BFSG does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to BFSG’s website or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Company), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s). Please see important disclosure information here.

This short video discusses ambiguity aversion, just one of the many biases and habits that lead to poor investing decisions. Why do we typically choose known outcomes over the unknown, even if the unknown has significantly more upside?

BFSG Shorts: Ambiguity Aversion

Disclosure: BFSG does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to BFSG’s website or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Company), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s). Please see important disclosure information here.

Christmas came early this year for the markets. The idea that falling inflation could mean that the end to the rate hiking cycle is not far off gave both stocks and bonds a boost.

Here are 3 things you need to know:

1. The October consumer price index (CPI) showed prices rose 7.7% from a year ago and 0.4% from the prior month, according to the Labor Department, both below expectations. Prices of goods and autos fell, as supply chain disruptions continued to ease. Food, services, and shelter inflation were stickier.
2. Long-term U.S. Treasuries returned +7% in November, their biggest monthly gain since August 2019. Global bonds as measured by the Global Aggregate Bond index, rebounded in November (+4.7%), adding a record $2.8 trillion in market value.
3. Not all assets were in recovery mode in November. The US Dollar Index saw its worst monthly performance in over a decade (-5%). Bitcoin fell (-16%) as investors withdrew $20 billion from crypto funds in November.

Sources:

1. Sources: J.P. Morgan Asset Management – Economic Update; Bureau of Economic Analysis (www.bea.gov); Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov); Federal Open Market Committee (www.federalreserve.gov); Bloomberg; FactSet; Goldman Sachs Asset Management.; John Hancock Investment Management.
2. Indices:
   • The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based index used as a proxy for the U.S. bond market. Total return quoted.
   • The S&P 500 is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities and is commonly used as a proxy for the U.S. stock market. Price return quoted.
   • The MSCI ACWI ex-US Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 22 of 23 developed market countries (excluding the U.S.) and 27 emerging market countries.  The index covers approximately 85% of the global equity opportunity set outside the U.S. Price return quoted.
   • The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid-cap segments in 26 emerging markets. Price return quoted (USD).

Disclosure: BFSG does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to BFSG’s website or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Company), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s). Please see important disclosure information here.