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Money Manager Monthly |
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August 2010 |  |
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MARKET COMMENTARY
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Largest Tax Increase In Decades?
By John Gibbs, Research Associate
 Over
the next few months, the issue of taxes and the expiration of the Bush
tax cuts will become a major headline and the topic of several dinner
table discussions. Predictions range from the biggest tax hike in
generations, to actual tax breaks, to some combination of the two. The
market doesn't like uncertainty, so expect to see more volatility and
larger market moves from now until the tax issues are decided and
mid-term elections are over.
Politics aside, how will these changes affect you? What can you do now to potentially save a few extra dollars at tax time?
| | Find Out... » |
MONEY MANAGER COMMENTARY
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Loving the Economic Recovery - Third Quarter Updates
 China's 2020 Vision - The Past and Future
For
China, 2009 will be remembered as the year it took a permanent seat at
the world's financial table. With much of the rest of the world stalled
in recession, China launched a massive stimulus package, which not only
stabilized its domestic economy but also helped to resuscitate global
demand, especially for commodities. With a significant portion of the
stimulus earmarked for infrastructure projects, China's stimulus
simultaneously fueled economic expansion and aggressive modernization
efforts, which were easily absorbed in the underdeveloped rural areas.
Click here for the Full Commentary
 The End of the Summer of Our Discontent?
A
month ago, we described the soft patch our economy was encountering as
the pause that refreshes. Though clearly the numbers on everything from
manufacturing and housing to consumer spending and employment have
continued to be choppy, we still think that view is valid and that the
preponderance of evidence argues against a double dip. The typical
recession indicators just aren't there.
Click here for Federated's Commentary
 Bernanke's 'Unusually Uncertain' Dissected
If
you are worried and suffering from emotional problems, you may go to a
therapist for advice and reassurance. You want to hear the therapist say
that everything will be fine. You don't want to hear him or her
exclaim, "Wow! You've got big problems!" Unfortunately, that's what many
people thought they heard Fed Chairman Bernanke say when he testified
last week.
Click here for Wells Fargo's Commentary
 Wall Street Expected to Celebrate the Resurgence of Private Sector
Overall,
we remain especially bullish on our growth stock portfolios, since we
are now in the midst of another stunning earnings season and a weak U.S.
dollar will help boost corporate profits even further. The technology
boom that we are riding cannot be stopped by a sovereign debt crisis, an
oil spill, or whatever the latest crisis that the financial news media
likes to report.
Click here for the Full Commentary
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PERSONAL FINANCE & TAXES
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Historical Top Marginal Tax Rate
It's
easy to get caught up in all the news these days. Anything older than
24 hours can be quickly forgotten. People worried about rising taxes
might be surprised to learn that we are actually experiencing
historically low tax rates across almost all tax brackets. The chart
below shows that the highest marginal tax rate used to be over 90%!
Source:
Tax Policy Center. Disclosure: This is for illustrative purposes only.
This table contains a number of simplifications and ignores a number of
factors, such as maximum tax earned on income of 50 percent when the top
rate was 70 percent and the
current increase in rates due to income-related reductions in value of
itemized deductions. Perhaps most important, it ignores the large
increase in percentage of returns that were subject to this top rate.
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The
attached report and information have been prepared or produced by
WrapManager, Inc. from sources and data believed to be reliable.
Information provided in this report is for educational and illustrative
purposes only and should not be construed as individualized investment
advice, as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
security in any states where such an offer or solicitation would be
prohibited by regulations. WrapManager, Inc. is not a tax advisory firm.
We recommend you contact your tax attorney or CPA prior to utilizing
any of the tax-related strategies mentioned or discussed. Returns and
experiences will vary for each client. Each client's risk tolerance and
investment objectives are unique to them. Past performance may not be
indicative of future results. No assumption that future performance of
any specific investment or product made reference to directly by
WrapManager, Inc., on its Web site and in marketing materials, will be
profitable or equal the corresponding indicated performance level(s). If
performance numbers are generated gross of fees, a client's return will
be reduced by investment advisory fees and any other expenses. Opinions
expressed are those of WrapManager, Inc. and are subject to change
without notice and are not necessarily those of Prospera Financial
Services, Inc., its directors, parent company or its affiliates.
Securities offered through Prospera Financial Services and cleared
through First Clearing, LLC. Prospera Financial Services - Member
FINRA/SIPC. © 2010 WrapManager, Inc. (800) 541-7774 | info@wrapmanager.com | www.WrapManager.com |
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