News & Insights

Market Update and Economic Developments • Equity markets started 2026 with strong positive momentum, supported by a notable expansion in leadership across regions and market capitalizations. U.S. equities advanced in January with large cap stocks rising 1.45% while mid- and small-cap materially outpaced their larger peers, gaining 3.06% and 5.35%, respectively. Early month volatility weighed [...]

The 2026 Turning Point: Why New Federal Thresholds Require a New Fiduciary Mindset 2026 begins not with fanfare, but with quiet recalibration. A 2.8 percent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) may seem unremarkable in headline terms, yet for practitioners who administer Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), it is consequential. This modest change ripples through every assumption [...]

Market Update and Economic Developments • The S&P 500 Index dipped slightly in mid-December but ended the month nearly flat, delivering an underwhelming end to 2025 when compared to the quarter's 2.66% gain and the year's 17.88% return. The proportion of that annual return attributable to Magnificent 7 performance has continued to decline in the [...]

  Market Update and Economic Developments • The S&P 500 had a relatively quiet month in November, posting a meager 0.25% gain, bringing the YTD return to 17.81%. Investors are actively sorting through new developments in AI technology and who is leading the charge, creating dispersion between the winners and losers. Shares of Oracle declined [...]

  Market Update and Economic Developments • Equities continued their strong rally with the S&P 500 posting a 2.34% increase for the monthand reaching multiple new all-time highs, with the technology sector being a consistentstandout. Large cap U.S. stocks outperformed small caps, and the most recent earnings seasondelivered many upside surprises, further bolstering the market. [...]

  Market Update and Economic Developments • In September, equities continued moving upward with the S&P 500 reaching a record high eight times in the 30 days and closing with a 3.65% gain on the month. Small companies were not far behind, with the Russell 2000 Index posting 3.22% for the month. Since smaller companies [...]

  Market Update and Economic Developments • The S&P 500 posted a 2.03% return in August, bringing the year-to-date return to 10.8%. Small cap stocks continue to exhibit higher volatility; despite their 7.1% gain in August, they continued to lag large cap stocks year-to-date due to their deeper drawdown in April. Within large cap stocks, [...]

  Market Update and Economic Developments • U.S. equities extended their rally in July, with the S&P 500 rising 2.24%. AI enthusiasm continues to drive markets, with tech and communication service companies reporting strong earnings. Small cap stocks have remained nearly flat for the year, signaling cautious confidence in the broader U.S. economy. Overall equity [...]