Investing in Sectors: Risks and Returns

Posted by Richard on February 14, 2013

  Sector funds target specific industries and economic niches to seek above-average returns.1 With the opportunity for greater returns comes greater risk, as these funds typically are prone to fluctuate in value more than diversified, multisector funds.2   Sector funds may invest solely in specific industries, such as utilities, technology, financial services, health care, and […]

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Will You Be in the 1%? Surviving an IRS audit

Posted by Richard on

  The IRS audited approximately 1.6 million individual tax returns filed in 2011.1 That amounts to just over 1.1% of 141 million individual returns filed that year. However, just over one-quarter of those audits involved face-to-face meetings with IRS auditors. The rest were conducted through the mail.   Filers earning less than $100,000 had a 1% […]

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Incentive Trusts: Setting Guidelines for Your Heirs

Posted by Richard on

  An incentive trust is an estate planning tool that allows the trust grantor to reward heirs for desired behavior. It also allows the grantor to impose appropriate penalties for undesirable activities.   Some common themes contained in incentive trusts:   • Education: Incentive trusts have been used to provide extra support to those heirs […]

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Six Retirement Planning Tips for Those Over Age 50

Posted by Richard on

  Entering your 50s and behind in your retirement planning goals? Don’t fret. You’ve still got time to get your financial plan back on track.   There are many steps that older investors can take to better prepare themselves financially for retirement. Here are six tips that may help you make the most of your […]

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