The Middle East recently went from simmering to a full-on boil with the Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel. This attack (in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian Embassy in Syria) raised the stakes that Israel could retaliate with a direct attack on Iran, and from there, all bets are off on controlling the situation and how it might escalate. War is a terrible thing, and the human cost and suffering goes beyond the economic consequences discussed here. However, our job is to advise on a potential market reaction and not to weigh in on politics.
Tax Season is here and whether you’ve filed, working on your taxes, or using an extension to file in October, you may need a drink or two to help get you through everyone’s favorite time of the year. That’s the great thing about wine, it’s enjoyable for any occasion and has a way of improving your spirits. For those who are embracing an early spring, perhaps a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc on your back porch is a great way to spend your later afternoon unwinding from the burdens of the day. And for those who still have cooler evenings, a light-bodied Pinot Noir would be a great pairing. Lastly, for those who just love Cabernet Sauvignon regardless of pairings and the weather, you just can’t go wrong with a great glass of Cab.
As The Clash sings in their iconic 1982 song, “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, business owners are challenged on a number of fronts in determining the future plans for their company. For many, the decision regarding succession or selling their business can be difficult to conceptualize, and hard to know how to start the discussion or planning process. G Squared has a highly experienced team to consult business owners on their options as well as prepare for a potential sale.
The S&P 500 recently (finally!) hit a new all-time high, after 512 consecutive trading sessions without a closing record. This marked the official end of the bear market that started in 2021 and tends to signal the bulls are in control and markets may potentially push higher.
For the first time in 25 years, holding cash has been a benefit and not a drag on your portfolio. Cash and cash equivalents have been an investable asset class since mid-2022 when the hiking cycle started accelerating and investors rapidly fell back in love with money market funds.
November was one for the record books. As we round into the last trading weeks of the year, and markets are now wobbling a bit after the fast and furious rally off the October bottom, context on just how rare this recent rally was is important.
Estate planning typically involves numerous documents, which all have different functions, so it is important to understand what each document covers and when it may need to be used.
Focusing on one’s investment strategy when the world feels like it is descending deeper into chaos and war is challenging. News of violence spreading across multiple regions and the specter of broader Middle Eastern conflict looms large over every discussion and decision.
“Wine is just like a person, absorbing influences around it to form its personality.” – Erin Lindstone
Autumn has been SLOWLY approaching here in Texas. While we’re usually ready to switch from chilled white wines to light/medium-bodied reds, it is still hot enough to cook an egg on a sidewalk (with some reprieve in the near future!).
As we look forward to summer’s end and the beginning of fall, we are reminded of parallels between the changing of the seasons and the seasonality of owning a business.
