People who want to create and maintain generational wealth while ensuring family members have the knowledge they need for a prosperous future.
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The momentum that propelled financial markets higher at the end of last year continued in the first quarter, with the S&P 500 setting new records. However, we’ve already begun to see a shift in sentiment and momentum as inflation has stalled and rates have risen in the past few weeks.
Improving fundamentals and a healthy economic backdrop helped drive the gains in the first quarter.
When it comes to retirement accounts, many investors often fail to think about required minimum distributions. That oversight can lead to unnecessary tax burdens and other financial issues. In order to handle RMDs effectively, an understanding of the rules—and common errors people make—can be beneficial. Jason Weszka takes a look at some common errors.
Vision Wealth Partners proudly announces the well-deserved promotion of Charles Bubeck, AIF®, CPFA®.
While the economic updates were largely positive in February, the stronger-than-expected growth also contributed to still high levels of inflation.
When it comes to estate planning, executing your will and other estate documents is only the first step. To help ensure that your estate plan stays in tune with your goals and needs, it’s important to review and update it on an ongoing basis. Josh Weszka reviews seven areas you should check on routinely to keep your estate plan in good shape.
It was a strong start to the year, as all three major U.S. equity indices began the year in positive territory.
Active and passive managers both claim to deliver superior results. It can be confusing for average investors to make sense of the rhetoric and to develop a clear, disciplined strategy tailored to their individual needs. Jordan Hucht discusses active vs passive portfolio management.
Markets continued to rally in December, with the positive returns during the month contributing to a strong end to the year.
Vision Wealth Partners, a leading wealth advisory team, is proud to announce its recent recognition as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor Team.
In a stark reversal of sentiment, the fourth quarter began with stocks and bonds reeling in fear of higher rates for longer, only to be reversed by Goldilocks economic data, leading Fed Chair Jerome Powell to ring the party bell by essentially validating the market’s hope that rate hikes are over and that cuts are coming. This set off a wild end to the year, with stocks rallying and interest rates falling.
Most people have been planning for retirement to some extent ever since they started working. So as the golden years finally near, so does the reality of having to transition from the accumulation phase to the deaccumulation phase of financial planning. This is a paradigm shift that needs to be handled with careful planning to avoid the pitfalls that come from common mistakes. Josh Weszka discusses 10 common mistakes to avoid.
Markets roared back in November, as interest rates dropped to September levels.
There’s no way to completely eliminate investment risk, even when it comes to fixed income investments. But understanding your risk exposures and having a plan to handle varying environments can help achieve the best results. Jordan Hucht discusses fixed income investment strategies to mitigate interest rate risk.
Equity markets continued to drop in October, with all three major U.S. indices down for the third consecutive month.
In the world of investing, logic and emotion have never been a perfect pairing. It is certainly logical for investors to stay focused on their long-term plan during volatile markets but emotionally it's hard to follow that rationale. Emotional instincts, although valuable in certain aspects of our lives, may contradict and get in the way of sound investment decisions. Jason Weszka discusses the emotional cycle in relation to market fluctuations.
Equity markets fell for the second consecutive month in September, causing all three major U.S. indices to end the month and quarter in the red.
After a first half of the year that saw financial markets soar in the face of pessimistic expectations, the rally had a reality check in the third quarter as the tide turned behind a convergence of new and old concerns. Stronger than expected economic growth led to interest rates reaching new cycle highs while labor strikes, higher oil prices, and a looming government shutdown became the latest ingredients in the current recipe for market volatility.
While most people are familiar with Roth contributions, whether it be a Roth IRA or within a 401(k) plan, fewer are aware of Roth conversions and, specifically, WHEN they should be considered, and HOW they can be an effective tool in long-term financial and estate planning. Jordan Hucht discusses the use of Roth conversions in this video.
Market performance in August reflected the underlying economy, including a slowdown in both business and consumer confidence.
For certain investors, looking beyond traditional asset classes can be beneficial in designing a diversified portfolio. Alternative investments have different characteristics than traditional asset classes and can add value when used correctly in the right circumstances. Jason Weszka discusses the use of alternative investments in this video.
It was a solid month and quarter for U.S. stocks. Economic signals were also positive, with strong job creation and improving confidence.
Josh Weszka discusses pros and cons of non-qualified deferred compensation plans and how to navigate them for long-term success.
We’ve seen it over and over again. As the old saying goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Wall Street “experts” love to make short-term market predictions, and they love to recite them confidently in whatever press they can get. There’s just one problem: They’re not very good at it.
For most investors, there comes a time when recurring, regular withdrawals are needed. Putting a plan together to accommodate these withdrawal needs is what we refer to as a portfolio distribution strategy. Jordan Hucht discusses what it takes to design an optimal portfolio distribution strategy.
Markets pulled back in May; the Nasdaq rose, other U.S. markets were flat or down, and international markets declined.
Personalized financial plans are essential to guide investment strategy and the risk associated with those strategies. Jason Weszka discusses the benefits of Portfolio Construction Management and the factors that weigh into portfolio design in this latest video.
Market Update April 2023 was a largely positive month for markets despite uncertainty. Risks for investors remain and should be monitored, but over the long run, the outlook remains positive, with potential for short-term setbacks.
We are pleased to announce Vision’s Charles Bubeck has earned the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) designation.
Implementing a company sponsored retirement plan requires a team of professionals, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Tune in as Josh Weszka breaks down the roles and responsibilities of the key players for employer-sponsored retirement plans.
A solid March saw markets rebound. Risks are worth monitoring, but the outlook is still promising.
Though the first quarter of 2023 was a strong one for investors with stocks and bonds both posting positive return, recession risks may have risen. However, bonds are providing investors the highest yields in years and relative stability of principal – exactly what they’re intended to do in a diversified portfolio.
Vision Partner & Advisor Jason Weszka has been named a Five Star Wealth Manager award winner in February 2023. Jason is recognized for his exceptional commitment to clients and strong industry credentials.
Vision Wealth Partners is proud to welcome Lauren DiBernardo as the newest member of its team. In her role as Client Services Manager, Lauren will manage the firm’s daily operations with an emphasis on a seamless client experience.
February’s declines coincided with weakening fundamentals, but on the whole, the economy and markets ended February in a relatively good place.
Charles Bubeck presents the key provisions in Secure Act 2.0, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act — including what is not included in the bill.
After showing declines in 2022, markets rallied in all three major industries. While risks remain it is a positive start to the year for investors.
Jordan Hucht, Partner at Vision Wealth Partners, and Glenelg High School alumnus, served as the Keynote speaker at the Maryland FBLA Region 5 Leadership Conference on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
Jordan Hucht CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®, has been appointed as an Advisory Board Member for the Academy of Finance in the Howard County Public School System.
Josh Weszka discusses two common structures for corporate retirement plan design — Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit — and presents six key features to consider.
December started off rocky, but ultimately, we enter 2023 with a relatively positive backdrop. While risks remain, economic fundamentals are solid, and market valuations are generally more attractive now than they were at the start of 2022.
Only time will tell the true story of 2023. The short term is murky at best, so the aim should be to have a financial and investing plan that can lead you to your long-term goals regardless of what 2023 brings.
The Vision Wealth Partners team wishes Kathy Marr all the best as she retires at the end of this year. Thank you, Kathy, for your many years of service to our Vision team and clients.
November saw continued market gains, as all three major U.S. indices rose for the second consecutive month. These positive results were also supported by solid fundamentals, but the Fed remains vigilant as inflation slows.
Tax-loss harvesting allows you to sell investments that are down, replace them with reasonably similar investments, and then offset realized investment gains with those losses. The end result is that less of your money goes to taxes and more may stay invested and working for you.
At the start of earnings season, the growth rate was expected to be 2.6 percent. Over the long run, fundamentals drive market performance, so better-than-expected earnings growth was an encouraging signal, even though its pace has slowed this year.
Third-quarter market turbulence was primarily driven by rising interest rates, caused by increased investor expectations for higher short-term rates. The Fed hiked the federal funds rate a combined 150 basis points (bps) at its July and September meetings to slow economic growth and combat inflation, and more rate hikes are expected at the upcoming November and December meetings.
After a quarter full of headlines and big market swings, we’re basically back to where we were, searching for direction as the market tries to predict the outcomes of the Fed’s tightening cycle.
What is behavioral finance and what impact can it have on your financial decision making? Join Jordan Hucht to learn more about how emotion plays into investing and what pitfalls you should be aware of.
July brought a strong start to the second half of the year for markets, with all three major U.S. indices experiencing gains. Although all three are still in red for the year, these results helped to offset some second quarter losses. Fundamentals showed signs of positive progress during the month as well.
The Vision Financial Group Scholarship Fund for HCPSS graduating seniors eases the financial burden of college tuition so students can engage fully in their college community and studies. The Scholarship is funded in part by the annual Our Kids Our Future Charity Golf Tournament and its generous sponsors.
Determining which type of company you have, value business or lifestyle, is an important topic for a variety of reasons. Join Josh Weszka to learn more about the differences between two and their implications.
Equity markets experienced widespread selloffs in June as fears of a potential recession and continued high inflation weighed heavily on investors. This capped off a challenging second quarter for markets, as all three major U.S. indices ended the month and quarter down.
Forgive me in advance, as this newsletter will be a bit longer and more technical than usual. My intent is to help you understand the current bear market, the factors that led us here, and what will likely determine what happens next.
Markets showed mixed results in May, but positive economic growth continues. While fundamental factors were supportive during the month, technical factors were not. Fundamentals drive long-term market performance, so continued earnings growth is a good sign for long-term performance.
Donor advised funds are one of the most often overlooked philanthropic strategies for corporations or private individuals. Jason Weszka provides insights on the benefits of using donor advised funds to organize and plan philanthropic giving.
It was a rocky start to the spring for markets. With less focus on medical risks and more focus on the challenges associated with returning to normal economic conditions, the most notable challenge we’re currently facing is the high level of inflation throughout the economy. Very real risks remain, but the most likely path forward for the U.S. economy remains continued growth.
Equity markets partially bounced back in March, driven by a strong run in the second half of the month. While negative headlines and shifting risks may lead to further short-term turbulence for markets, strong fundamentals and continued economic recovery should help support markets over the long term.
After high market volatility in the first quarter of 2022, the year's second stanza still leaves many questions unanswered in a song still being written.
“Bouts of volatility can be unsettling, and can leave you feeling concerned about your financial future.” Jordan Hucht talks about what you should think about, what you should focus on, and what you should do during bouts of market volatility.
Despite volatility, the February Market Update observes the average earnings growth rate is up notably, showing better-than-expected results in earning—an encouraging sign.
It’s important to stay disciplined and keep a long-term perspective. Sound financial planning includes preparing for times like these.
Our January Market Update shows equity markets had a rough start to the year, but fundamentals showed signs of improvement during the month.
Vision Wealth Partners proudly co-sponsored the Maryland Innovation Center’s (MIC) 2021 holiday party to build integral connections between companies and their potential customers to amplify business goals.
The start to 2022 has been ugly for markets and is proving that this year’s playbook will look different than last year’s. Is this all bad news? Not necessarily.
Reintroducing Vision Financial Group as Vision Wealth Partners, a name and rebrand that better represents our approach and dedication to our client relationships.
Vision Financial Group is proud to announce that Partner and Financial Advisor Jordan Hucht, CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®, was nominated for and has recently joined the Board of Directions of Suited for Change, a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization.
As we brace for the final chapter of 2020, likely to be filled with covid spikes and political theatrics, let’s pause and consider where we are, what’s likely to come, and what to do.
As the public health crisis and our corresponding response continues to evolve, we’re finding ourselves staring down the tunnel of weeks, if not months, of continued uncertainty.
We’re in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis that will have a sure, yet undefinable, economic impact. And there are probably several questions front and center on your mind.
In times like these, it’s important to remember two of the most fundamental components of investment management – asset allocation and time horizon.
![[Left to right:] Jason Weszka, Jordan Hucht, and Josh Weszka](https://vision-wealth.com/wp-content/uploads/resized/2021/06/partners-625x465-c-default.jpg)
