Digital Media
Profitable Intelligence; How We are Incorporating AI into Client Portfolios
(IVV, SOXQ, NVDA, GRID, FUTY, QQQE, AVUS, PIIVX)
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research will cover the following topics:
- What does artificial intelligence (AI) actually ‘mean’ in 2024 and a brief discussion of AI’s history over the past several decades.
- Deep discission of the five (AI) related investment areas/themes we think long term value will accrue within client portfolios (GRID, STRUX, PIIVX, QQQE, SOXQ, IVV)
- Our thoughts on a possible ‘bubble’ in certain areas of the market related to AI.
- Outlook for AI breakthroughs over the next 5 to 10 years
QuickBooks Online Presentation
Craig Sikora, EA, Advanced Certified Pro Advisor Online, Manager will give a tutorial on the following:
- Various versions of QuickBooks Online
- Benefits of QuickBooks Online over desktop
-How to navigate the program
-How to create checks
-How to record deposits
-How to prepare bank reconciliations
A Comprehensive Market/Economic Review of 2023 and Our Outlook for 2024
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research will cover the following topics:
- Overview of 4 main themes that shaped financial markets in 2023 (rates, inflation, stock return attribution, and the ‘phantom recession’)
- Traphagen’s alternative/private investment suite performance over the past 2 years and 4 years vs. traditional assets (XILSX, SHRIX, CCLFX, NICHX)
- Review of specific investments/deals entering client portfolios currently within our alternative suite.
- Deeper dive into what we believe will be a new ‘regime’ for the economy/markets vs. the prior environment we were in between 2009 – 2021.
- Overview of specific investments we think will do well in this new regime and our 2024 outlook. (COWZ, VLFO, XILSX, CCLFX, STRU
The Contradiction Conundrum: Untangling Mixed Messages in the Economy and Financial Markets
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research will cover the following topics:
- Quick update on 2023 Stock & Bond Performance (ACWI, IEF)
- Stock Market Valuation and What this is ‘pricing in’.
- Review several data points signaling slower growth, lower rates/inflation, and a possible recession.
- Review several date points signaling higher growth, higher rates/inflation, and no recession.
- Discussion of how our client portfolios are positioned to benefit regardless of the macro outcome (COWZ, SCHD, IVV, TPYP, FHLC)
Demystifying the S&P500:
A Deep Dive into the index and how Traphagen is currently investing in US stocks
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research will cover the following topics:
- Who designs/maintains the S&P 500 index & their process
- Current sector & stock composition of the index
- 2023 S&P 500 performance vs. other stock market measures
- How Traphagen is currently invested within the US Stock market
A Higher Yielding Investment Strategy using Treasury Bonds (TLTW)
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research will cover the following topics:
- Current Yields on Treasury Bonds across maturities
- Two Main risk in Investing in Treasury Bonds:
- Duration Risk
- Reinvestment Risk
- Explanation of ‘TLTW’ (Treasury Bond-Call Option Selling Strategy)
- Recent performance of ‘TLTW’ and relationship with interest rates
- Conclusions and When we would sell ‘TLTW’
Better Options for Cash/Savings as Interest Rates Rise
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research discusses the following topics:
- Historical overview of short term (Fed Fund/Cash Rates) from 2008 – 2022
- Overview of no risk or lower risk options for cash savings:
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- Flourish Cash (Savings Account)
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- Fidelity and Bank CDs
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- Short Term (1 to 3-month) Treasury Bills
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- High Quality Investment Grade Corporate Bonds
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- Traphagen ‘Stable Value Fixed Income’ Portfolio
- Summary Matrix comparing all above options
Overview of our new investment: Cliffwater Enhanced Lending Fund (CELFX)
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research give an Overview of our new investment; Cliffwater Enhanced Lending Fund (CELFX).
Specific Topics discussed:
- Summary of traditional bond markets since 1982 and why we continue to invest in alternative investments
- Overview of the CELFX fund
- Current allocation and description/explanation of assets within the fund
- Historical performance and risk within the fund
- Our outlook for the fund
- Overview of the ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ legislation
Overview of our New alternative Income Investment Fund (NICHX)
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research discusses a new investment we have made for many for many clients that should exhibit low volatility and also provide significantly higher returns than traditional bonds. This new fund is called the ‘Variant Alternative Income Fund’ and trades under the ticker ‘NICHX’.
Specific Topics discussed:
- Summary of Treasury and Investment Grade Bond yields over the past 40 years and current yield levels
- An overview of the Variant Alternative Income Fund (NICHX)
- Discussion of the unique assets held within the NICHX fund
- Historical returns, risk, and portfolio allocation since fund inception
- Our outlook going forward for the NICHX fund
It's Tax Season...Let Us Help You
Steven Budryk, CPA, MS and Ramapo Alumnus Class of 2018, MS 2019 recently presented during the Ramapo College Alumni and Business Partners Program: Financial Speaker Series. Steven presented on the following:
- Recent tax law changes strategies
- Planning opportunities for both individuals and businesses
- Paycheck Protection Program loans
- Individual stimulus payments, and
- Pending legislation
Rising Interest Rates & Your Portfolio
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research discusses the rapid rise in interest rates over the past several months. Specific topics discussed are below:
- The difference between short and long term interest rates
- Why interest rates are very important in determining the value of almost all financial assets
- How we anticipated rising rates in early 2020 and why we think they will continue to rise through 2021
- Historical look at nominal and real 10Y Treasury rates
- Portfolio changes we made over the past year and possible future investments we are reviewing to guard against a further rise in rates
Paycheck Protection Program
Chris Chudyk, CPA, CITP, Partner recently presented to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). NARI is the homeowner's resource for finding quality contractors, design-build firms, suppliers and other related professionals in the area.
In this webcast, Chris discusses important information regarding:
- Round one and round two of the PPP loans
- Payroll credits all companies should be aware of, and
- Tax planning strategies to save / defer taxes and build wealth for individuals and businesses
2020 Election Update
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research and Wealth Advisor discusses in this webcast:
- Our outlook on the election and current projections
- An overview of all possible outcomes (presidential & congressional)
- The likely policy ramifications of a ‘Democratic Sweep’
- How specific industries and client portfolios could be impacted
- Historical data on election year and 1st term presidential stock market returns
COVID-19’s Impact on the Financial Markets
Jeff Hanson, CPA, PFS, AEP, CFP was featured on the New Jersey Society of CPAs podcast Issues Watch. Jeff discusses the short- and long-term impact of the pandemic on the financial markets. Have the markets followed the economy? Which markets have been impacted more than others? What’s the outlook for the coming year? Click on the Podcast link below to hear more.
Also available on apple podcast, android, or wherever you get your podcasts.
New Jersey's Pass-through Business Alternative Income Tax (BAIT)
In this webcast, Darren Thomas, JD, CPA, EA, Senior Tax Manager discusses the Pass-through Business Alternative income Tax Act. which establishes a new optional business income tax for eligible business types along with a matching income tax credit the owners of such businesses.
Q2 2020 Financial Market and Portfolio Update
Eric Mancini, CFP, CFA, CAIA, Director of Investment Research discusses global financial market behavior through July, portfolio changes made from March through early August, the latest COVID-19 trends, and looks ahead to the 2020 election.
RMD Rollover & Roth Conversion Planning Webinar
In this webcast, Jeff Hanson, CPA, PFS, AEP, CFP provides planning concepts for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and Roth Conversions and how they relate to the CARES Act.
Topics Discussed:
- RMD Rules related to CARES Act
- RMD Rollover
- Tax Planning
- Roth Conversions
Business Planning In the Age of COVID-19
As many companies across the country, and particularly the tri-state area, are planning to reopen their physical locations, Chris Fundora, CFP, CRPS and Darren Thomas JD, CPA, EA will be providing timely guidance on understanding and navigating through the legal requirements. They will also be discussing flexibility around your Corporate Retirement Plan as well as an update on PPP Loans, how to use the funds and qualify for forgiveness.
Topics Discussed:
Business Reopening
•Steps to Minimize Liabilities
•Developing Back-to-Business Plans
•Employee Guidelines
•Updated Leave Policies & Procedures
Corporate Retirement Planning
•Understanding Distribution Options
•Contribution Flexibility
•Tax Credits, Plan Design & Tax Minimization Strategies
PPP Loans
•Flexibility Act Updates
•Use of Funds
•Qualifying & Applying for Forgiveness
Webcast
Investment Portfolio Management In the Age of COVID-19
Eric Mancini, CFA, CFP, CAIA, Director of investment research hosted a webcast titled Portfolio Management in the Age of COVID-19.
The presentation covers the following Topics:
- 6 major goals of successful portfolio management
- Overview of investment management fees
- Projected future stock and bond returns
- Importance of alternative and private investment allocation
- Alternatives to avoid
- Special update on COVID-19
Retirement Update 2020
Changes under the CARES Act
The CARES Act has made significant changes to our personal and corporate retirement accounts. Christopher Fundora, CFP, CRPS discusses these changes along with potential strategies for 2020.
Topics Discussed:
- Coronavirus-Related Distributions
- Hardship Distributions
- Early Distributions, In-Service Withdrawals & Age 55 Rule
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) Strategies - ‘Stretch IRA’ Provision
Traphagen Market Outlook
Follow along as Eric Mancini, CFA, CFP, CAIA, Director of Investment Research & Wealth Advisor walks you through our April 2020 Market Update.
Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors and Balance Point have partnered to present the Business Solutions On-Demand Webinar Series
How to Save and Build Wealth Under the New Tax Laws
In this 28-minute presentation, Traphagen's Chris Chuydk, CPA, CITP, will inform business owners what they need to know about the new tax laws:
- C Corporations Taxed at a flat 21%
- Pass Thru Entities/Solos - the new 20% deduction
- The Importance of a Structure Analysis
- Depreciation: Section 179 & Bonus
- Meals and Entertainment
Subscribe and access the webinar!
Corporate Retirement Planning: Reduce Tax and Increase Savings
As a business owner, find out how to directly benefit from a tailored corporate retirement plan.
In this 30-minute segment of our webinar series, Christopher Fundora, CFP®, CRPS® of Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors presents cost-effective strategies and examples on how to reduce income tax while saving for your retirement.
- How to effectively structure a 401(k) plan
- The value of a Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA
- “Bolting on” a Profit Sharing Plan
- Understanding Cash Balance Plans
- Maximizing tax advantaged savings
Subscribe and access the webinar!