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The recent swoon in the market could be attributed to confusion and uncertainty around the United States’ new tariff and trade policy. The Trump administration has announced a flurry of current and potential future tariffs, that are changing and evolving almost daily, making it difficult for investors to adequately understand the goals, the economic impacts, and the potential unintended consequences. As such, the market has traded down on general uncertainty about our overall trade policy. Tariffs were a campaign promise to rectify certain inequities among our trading partners. As expected, shortly after the inauguration, the new administration announced tariffs on three of our largest trading partners. These tariffs were presented as a way to pressure Canada, Mexico, and China to assist with curtailing our immigration and fentanyl problems. Some tariffs were imposed, some changed, some delayed, and some are still being negotiated. The lack of clarity has caused confusion as...
03.28.2025 The recent swoon in the market could be attributed to confusion and uncertainty around the United States’ new tariff and trade policy. The Trump administration has announced a flurry of current and potential future tariffs, that are changing and evolving almost daily, making it difficult for investors to adequately understand the goals, the economic impacts, and the potential unintended consequences. As such, the market has traded down on general uncertainty about our overall trade policy. Tariffs were a campaign promise to rectify certain inequities among our trading partners. As expected, shortly after the inauguration, the new administration announced tariffs on three of our largest trading partners. These tariffs were presented as a way to pressure Canada, Mexico, and China to assist with curtailing our immigration and fentanyl problems. Some tariffs were imposed, some changed, some delayed, and some are still being negotiated. The lack of clarity has caused confusion as...
If you have seen your property and casualty insurance premiums rise significantly over the past several years, you are not alone. Across the United States, coverage for homes, autos and valuable collections have increased at a double-digit pace. Unfortunately, few families can expect any moderation in the coming year, particularly those in higher risk “Cat-rated” areas. Affluent homeowners in Florida, California and several other states can expect to see premium increases of at least 20% and may also have to accept more restrictive coverage terms. Others may even have difficulty securing coverage at any price.1 Against that backdrop, here are some answers to questions you may have about the cost and availability of coverage to protect your family, your home and your possessions. Presented here is an article by HUB International, republished by permission. Consult your insurance professional to discover why it’s happening, what to expect and how to minimize...
At Manchester Capital Management, we view wealth as more than a measure of current financial health — it’s also a foundation for building enduring legacies. This month, we’re pleased to feature an article tailored for the next generation of wealth stewards, written by one of our talented Gen Z team members, Portfolio Analyst Miroslava Martinez. This article explores the fundamentals of compounding interest, one of the most powerful principles of long-term financial growth. It’s crafted to inspire younger family members to think longer term and to foster meaningful conversations among families about how small, consistent actions taken today can lead to extraordinary outcomes tomorrow. To understand compounding interest, it may be helpful to imagine hypothetical scenarios with two friends, Olivia and Liam. In these scenarios, Olivia began saving $50 a month at age 20, while Liam began saving $100 a month at age 30. When they’re both 60, who do...
A presidential election, summer Olympics, two regional wars, and a stock market reaching all-time highs all contributed to a year we will not soon forget. Here are some other notable statistics from 2024 as defined by their numbers. $ 36.2 Trillion – The national debt as of 12/4. That represents $ 107 Thousand per U.S. citizen or 123% of US GDP.1 $ 7.1 Trillion – Current annual U.S. Federal spending.2 $ 2.1 Trillion – Current U.S. Federal Deficit.3 $ 2.0 Trillion – The amount a proposed advisory committee of the incoming presidentialadministration believes the Federal Budget can be reduced.4 $ 1.0 Trillion – Current yearly interest on the national debt.5 $ 56 Billion – Elon Musk’s twice judicially-denied pay package at Tesla.6 50 Billion – The number of internet users worldwide as of October 2024 which amounted to 67.5 percent of the global population. Of this total, 5.2 billion, or 63.8...
The election is over, and it was a sweep by the republicans. For many, this seems to mean lower taxes, including the continuation of beneficial estate tax laws. There has even been a discussion of estate tax repeal. However, if history tells us anything, tax laws and campaign promises often do not entirely reconcile. So, what will happen is anyone’s guess, even for those with educated guesses. However, what is not a guess is the estate planning opportunities that exist now. The current estate tax laws, which were enacted during the first Trump administration, provide opportunities for high-net-worth families to pass significant assets gift and estate tax-free. Currently, the lifetime exemption from gift and estate tax is $13,610,000 per taxpayer. In 2025 the exemption is scheduled to increase by another $380,000. Then, at the end of 2025, the exemption is set to sunset and will revert to 2017 levels, which...
In this MCM Video Insight, Phil Kirshman, Director of Impact Investing at Manchester Capital Management, introduces impact as a third variable in the risk and reward equation. He discusses the definition of impact investing, the different ways it is approached, and how it can be integrated into an investor’s portfolio including some current opportunities. Disclosures This material is solely for informational purposes and shall not constitute a recommendation or offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. The opinions expressed herein represent the current, good faith views of the speaker at the time of publication and are provided for limited purposes, are not definitive investment advice, and should not be relied on as such. The information presented herein has been developed internally and/or obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, neither the speaker(s) nor Manchester Capital Management guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of such information. Predictions, opinions,...
Susan Sofronas, Manchester Capital Management Partner and Managing Director, hosts a presentation and discussion with Amy Cappellazzo, Founding Partner at Art Intelligence Global and former Chairman of Sotheby’s Fine Art Division. During this session they explore key topics for families interested in collecting and investing in art. The discussion covers the current state of the art market, how to access and source art, the methods used to value artwork, and strategies for transferring art across generations.
As we turn the calendar page from September to October in Vermont, we prepare for the changing foliage colors, weekends cheering for our favorite football team, apple picking, hayrides, and of course financial planning. While we carve pumpkins into Jack O’Lanterns, it is important to remember that a strong financial plan is an ongoing cycle much like the changing of the seasons. It can be daunting to think about all one needs to create and maintain a successful plan. Instead of trying to do everything at once, try using the theme of each season to outline the components of your plan. SPRING Spring suggests new beginnings, a fresh start, and planting seeds you hope will flourish and grow into something you will enjoy later. Is there a better time than spring to dust off that budget you have been meaning to balance as part of your New Year’s resolution but somehow...
Manchester Capital Management is proud to announce that Founder and Executive Chair, Ted Cronin, as well as the firm, have been recognized on Barron’s “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” list for the 18th consecutive year. Ted ranked 13th among the 100 independent advisors selected from over 15,000 registered investment advisors (RIAs) nationwide. Barron’s rankings are based on a detailed evaluation of assets under management, firm revenue, and the quality of the advisor’s practice. Ted is also featured in Barron’s Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for those who have appeared on the list for more than 10 years. Since its inception over 30 years ago, Manchester Capital Management has been a leader in delivering personalized financial strategies tailored to meet the unique goals of individuals and families. The firm consists of a team of 36 employees all dedicated to fostering a culture of trust, innovation, and integrity. “I would like...
Timing the market, even with a slower-moving asset class like privately-held real estate, is tricky business. It is easy to look back and regret not buying at this time or selling at that time, but pinpointing market shifts while they are happening is easier said than done. Real estate can be particularly tricky since it most frequently involves large, illiquid investments with significant transactional friction on the purchase and sale. Recent developments, specifically the collision of declining supplies and shifting demand in an environment of changing interest rates, create an interesting opportunity. According to Morgan Stanley and Real Capital Analytics, U.S. commercial property prices stopped declining in June 2024, increasing 0.6% after a year and a half of valuation losses.1 Per the chart below, the last time real estate prices fell this much for this long was during the Great Financial Crisis (GFC). Prices bottomed at the beginning of 2010...
Perusing our website, you may have noticed that Manchester Capital has expertise and a track record in acquiring and managing large tracts of land. When clients hear of this, a popular question arises: “Is ranchland a good option for me?” The answer begins with our evaluation of a client’s unique goals. Our introduction to ranchlands began with a family well-suited to the opportunity. The client asked us to find a remote wilderness family retreat with intrinsic values of natural resources, scenic beauty, and a working ranchlands investment component. Over the past 15 years, MCM’s Real Estate Services team has acquired and managed over 120,000 acres of timberland, ranchland, and rural property. We have helped turn our clients’ visions of conservation, into sustainable investments that can be transferred to future generations, by developing strategies to help mitigate the struggles of covering annual carrying costs often associated with owning large tracts of land. ...
Manchester Capital Management’s Senior Wealth Managers, Brian Vogel and Morgan Roberts discuss how they help wealthy families make informed decisions about charitable giving and select the most suitable charitable giving structures. They assess the benefits of various options with a particular focus on donor-advised funds. Disclosures This material is solely for informational purposes and shall not constitute a recommendation or offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. The opinions expressed herein represent the current, good faith views of the speaker at the time of publication and are provided for limited purposes, are not definitive investment advice, and should not be relied on as such. The information presented herein has been developed internally and/or obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, neither the speaker(s) nor Manchester Capital Management guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of such information. Predictions, opinions, and other information contained in this article are subject...
