Latest news with #Ulin
CNBC
8 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Gold is near an all-time high—here's how much a Costco bar bought a year ago is worth today
Costco's gold bars are worth a lot more than they were a year ago — and demand is soaring. The bars have been a steady draw since Costco began selling them in 2023, and a sharp rise in spot gold prices seems to have boosted their appeal. In May, the retailer tightened purchase restrictions, limiting members to one transaction, capped at a maximum of two bars, per day. As of Tuesday morning, gold traded around $3,390 per ounce — near a recent record high and roughly 45% higher than it was at this time last year. Historically, investors tend to flock to gold during periods of geopolitical instability, inflation and concern over the strength of the U.S. dollar. Here's how much more a 1-ounce gold bar purchased at Costco in June 2024 could be worth today, based on the listed purchase price and Tuesday's opening spot price. If you bought gold from Costco a year ago, you may be considering selling at a profit. But offloading a gold bar isn't as simple as checking the spot price and pocketing the difference. The spot price offers a benchmark for negotiating prices, but sellers typically receive about 5% to 10% less, depending on where and how they sell, says Jon Ulin, a certified financial planner based in Boca Raton, bullion dealers typically offer in-person evaluations and immediate payment, and may pay 1% to 5% below the spot price for a standard 1-ounce gold bar — often more than pawn shops, The Wall Street Journal reported on April 19, 2024. Online buyers may advertise competitive rates, often with the added convenience of insured shipping. In either case, vetting potential buyers on platforms like Yelp, Google or the Better Business Bureau can help you avoid lowball offers, hidden fees or scams. "I would avoid private buyers or marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace," says Ulin. "You're dealing with a high-value item and there's a risk of encountering less-than-reputable individuals." Any profits you make from selling gold can be taxed at a higher rate than other investments, such as stocks or bonds. The IRS generally classifies physical gold — such as bars, coins or jewelry — as a collectible for tax purposes, Troy Lewis, a certified public accountant and professor of accounting and tax at Brigham Young University, told CNBC on April 30. The "collectible" classification means that federal long-term capital gains on gold can be taxed at a rate of up to 28%, compared to a maximum of 20% for stocks or real estate. If the gold is sold within one year, any profit is taxed as ordinary income, which could mean an even higher rate, depending on the seller's tax bracket. By selling gold, you might unexpectedly "be adding up the tax bill you pay to Uncle Sam," says Bill Shafransky, a New Canaan, Connecticut-based financial advisor.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's tariffs are sending ultra-rich investors to Europe and Asia: ‘The world has changed in the last 3 months'
Though President Donald Trump has said his aggressive tariff strategy, unveiled this week, will make the markets "boom," it has so far resulted in a rout, with U.S. equity markets suffering their worst week since March 2020 and more pain likely on the way. And that's sending ultra-wealthy investors to seek refuge from the financial storm abroad. The average tariff rate is even higher than in the 1930s, "which means there is no modern-day precedent to predict the economic hit," says Larry Adam, chief investment officer at Raymond James. The U.S. markets have been tanking in the aftermath, and analysts including from JPMorgan are ringing alarm bells about a potential recession this year. The preeminence and exceptionalism of the U.S. is now being questioned. Investors are reacting accordingly. Worried about the effects of tariffs and other moves by the Trump administration that could hurt growth in the U.S.—such as defunding research efforts around the country—ultra high net worth and family office investors are rethinking their positions here, at least in the short term. "We've seen a growing interest among high-net-worth family office clients in diversifying a portion of their portfolios outside the United States," says Jon Ulin, private wealth advisor at Ulin & Co. Wealth Management. "This trend is largely driven by concerns over policy uncertainty and potential economic or market disruptions." Of course, many of these wealthy investors already hold sizable investments and real estate holdings abroad, particularly those who were born in another country or have dual citizenship somewhere. But the uncertainty now plaguing the U.S. economy is causing them to double down on looking for better growth opportunities and hedges abroad. Ulin's team is now tilting managed portfolios more international than U.S. "to better navigate the trade war fall out of domestic stocks and the markets." "For them, investing internationally is not just about diversification, it serves as a currency hedge and provides access to government bonds and equities that may not be readily available in U.S. markets," says Ulin. At a media event Thursday, Goldman Sachs representatives said they are watching Trump's moves closely. Many of their ultra-high net worth (UHNW) clients are asking for guidance, though they haven't fled from U.S. equities just yet. But non-U.S. equities have outperformed so far this year, and broader diversification in general is a goal for the firm. Still, the firm is bullish on U.S. long-term given the country's ability to innovate. "There's still some belief that even if things look murky in the U.S. ... the U.S. may end up better than other countries on the other side of the tariffs," said Elizabeth Burton, senior client investment strategist at Goldman Sachs. That said, many UHNW clients were thinking of moving money out of the U.S. even before Trump's so-called Liberation Day. Europe, for example, may be more attractive given its increase in defense spending. In Asia, India is attracting Goldman's attention. "For so long, being long the U.S., and particularly large cap U.S., was was the right investment," said Matt Gibson, Goldman's global head of the Client Solutions Group. "A lot of our clients in Q4 [2024], as they saw the election happen and so forth, started to wonder if keeping that trade on was the right thing to do." Tariff uncertainty is pushing those conversations into overdrive. "The world has changed in the last three months in a material way," said Marc Nachmann, Goldman's global head of asset & wealth management. "Our conversations with clients right now include ... how should we think about these tariffs? How should they make us rethink how we allocate all of our assets?" This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
CNN
31-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
How to invest when stocks are sinking
March has been a dizzying month for US markets. The S&P 500 just posted two days of back-to-back gains, but the benchmark index is still down almost 5% this month. President Donald Trump's tariff announcements have roiled markets and sent US stocks bouncing all over the place. While the uncertainty on Wall Street can be unsettling, selling your stocks in panic would likely only make it worse. Although recent market swings can be daunting, market volatility is more normal than you'd think, according to Jeff Buchbinder, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial. 'Volatility is like a toll investors pay on the road to attractive long-term returns,' Buchbinder said in a recent note. The last thing you want to do is 'panic sell.' Volatility is a short-term feature of markets. So, too, are so-called corrections, when stocks fall 10% from their most recent high. Historically, the US stock market has climbed higher in the long term, smoothing out kinks and rewarding investors who stayed in the market. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday told NBC News that he was 'not at all' worried about recent drops in the stock market. 'I've been in the investment business for 35 years, and I can tell you that corrections are healthy,' Bessent said. 'They're normal. What's not healthy is straight up.' Still, seeing your retirement account take a hit can be unnerving, especially given the whiplash of recent market swings. But if you're investing for retirement or long-term financial goals, the best thing to do during moments of uncertainty is to keep calm and tune out the noise. 'Reacting emotionally to the markets can wreck your returns,' said Jon Ulin, a certified financial planner and chief executive at Ulin & Co. Wealth Management. 'Panic selling often means locking in losses and missing the best rebound days,' Ulin said. A core tenet of investing is that no one can really 'time' the market. Swings can be so unpredictable that staying invested is a better strategy than selling and trying to pick the best opportunity to get back into a fund or stock you sold. People who sell when times are tough tend to lose out in the long run. 'Protecting your portfolio isn't about timing the market — it's about time in the market with a strategy that can withstand the storm,' Ulin said. If you've checked your retirement account and felt unsettled — you're likely not alone. The S&P 500's performance from Trump's inauguration to March 7, or 46 days into his second term, was the index's worst start to a presidency since President Barack Obama's first term, according to Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research. Trump's whipsawing tariff proposals are the primary reason for the markets' rollercoaster ride, because they have created an environment of uncertainty. US stocks have slid amid the ensuing economic chaos, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite largely erasing their gains since the election. The benchmark S&P 500 last week closed down 10% from its record high reached on February 19, its first correction since October 2023. Nonetheless, it's important to recognize that market downturns are normal occurrences. The S&P 500 on average has three drops between 5% and 10% each year, according to Buchbinder. Stocks on average see one correction a year, according to Buchbinder. Before the S&P 500 closed in correction territory last week, it had been over a year since its last correction. If you're planning to hold your investments long term, such drops in one year don't necessarily matter. Heading into this year, US stocks had been at record highs, with some strategists questioning whether they were overvalued. The S&P 500 posted back-to-back gains of more than 20% in 2023 and 2024 — a feat not achieved since President Bill Clinton was in office in the 1990s. After those sky-high gains, investors were already uncertain whether the good times would last. Big tech stocks that propped up the S&P 500 in 2024 have sputtered this year. While downturns are frustrating, they also present opportunities to 'buy the dip' and purchase stocks while they are cheaper. 'Encouragingly, history hints (but does not guarantee) that quick drops below the 10% decline threshold typically resulted in shorter and shallower total declines, followed by more rapid recoveries,' Stovall said in a note Monday. 'Unfortunately, the greatest uncertainty surrounding this decline and possible recovery is that its major headwind — the tariff tiff — appears far from over,' Stovall added. While markets face continued tariff uncertainty, it can be helpful to return to investing 101. A portfolio that is well-diversified across different types of stocks and bonds can help you mitigate losses during market swings. That becomes especially apparent during times of heightened volatility. 'Spreading risk across different asset classes, sectors and regions is investing 101,' Ulin said. 'Think of diversification as your portfolio's seatbelt, keeping you secure when markets hit rough air.' If your portfolio is overexposed to US stocks, it might be smart to consider buying stocks in global markets like Europe and to further diversify by investing in Treasury bonds. Diversification might also look like investing in stocks in industries that have less exposure to tariffs, or 'tariff-proofing' your portfolio, Ulin said. As with all things in investing, there is no one-size-fits-all. Each person has their own unique financial goals and tolerance for risk. Periods of volatility present opportunities to reflect on whether or not your investments still align with your financial goals, according to Tom Hainlin, national investment strategist at US Bank Wealth Management. That means reviewing your investing goals and reassessing whether you're well situated to pay for big-ticket items you might have coming up, whether you have enough cash for emergencies and whether there are new opportunities to buy stocks given the recent declines. If you are closer to retirement, you might consider parking more cash in Treasury bills or other cash-equivalent assets, as one of the most essential steps to take is to try and minimize sequence risk. The bottom line: Volatility — though unnerving — is normal. Keep a level head and look for opportunities to diversify and bolster your portfolio. 'Regularly review your asset allocation, rebalance when needed and tune out the noise,' Ulin said. 'Long-term success is built on discipline, not panic.'
CNN
18-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
How to invest when stocks are sinking
March has been a dizzying month for US markets. The S&P 500 just posted two days of back-to-back gains, but the benchmark index is still down almost 5% this month. President Donald Trump's tariff announcements have roiled markets and sent US stocks bouncing all over the place. While the uncertainty on Wall Street can be unsettling, selling your stocks in panic would likely only make it worse. Although recent market swings can be daunting, market volatility is more normal than you'd think, according to Jeff Buchbinder, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial. 'Volatility is like a toll investors pay on the road to attractive long-term returns,' Buchbinder said in a recent note. The last thing you want to do is 'panic sell.' Volatility is a short-term feature of markets. So, too, are so-called corrections, when stocks fall 10% from their most recent high. Historically, the US stock market has climbed higher in the long term, smoothing out kinks and rewarding investors who stayed in the market. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday told NBC News that he was 'not at all' worried about recent drops in the stock market. 'I've been in the investment business for 35 years, and I can tell you that corrections are healthy,' Bessent said. 'They're normal. What's not healthy is straight up.' Still, seeing your retirement account take a hit can be unnerving, especially given the whiplash of recent market swings. But if you're investing for retirement or long-term financial goals, the best thing to do during moments of uncertainty is to keep calm and tune out the noise. 'Reacting emotionally to the markets can wreck your returns,' said Jon Ulin, a certified financial planner and chief executive at Ulin & Co. Wealth Management. 'Panic selling often means locking in losses and missing the best rebound days,' Ulin said. A core tenet of investing is that no one can really 'time' the market. Swings can be so unpredictable that staying invested is a better strategy than selling and trying to pick the best opportunity to get back into a fund or stock you sold. People who sell when times are tough tend to lose out in the long run. 'Protecting your portfolio isn't about timing the market — it's about time in the market with a strategy that can withstand the storm,' Ulin said. If you've checked your retirement account and felt unsettled — you're likely not alone. The S&P 500's performance from Trump's inauguration to March 7, or 46 days into his second term, was the index's worst start to a presidency since President Barack Obama's first term, according to Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research. Trump's whipsawing tariff proposals are the primary reason for the markets' rollercoaster ride, because they have created an environment of uncertainty. US stocks have slid amid the ensuing economic chaos, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite largely erasing their gains since the election. The benchmark S&P 500 last week closed down 10% from its record high reached on February 19, its first correction since October 2023. Nonetheless, it's important to recognize that market downturns are normal occurrences. The S&P 500 on average has three drops between 5% and 10% each year, according to Buchbinder. Stocks on average see one correction a year, according to Buchbinder. Before the S&P 500 closed in correction territory last week, it had been over a year since its last correction. If you're planning to hold your investments long term, such drops in one year don't necessarily matter. Heading into this year, US stocks had been at record highs, with some strategists questioning whether they were overvalued. The S&P 500 posted back-to-back gains of more than 20% in 2023 and 2024 — a feat not achieved since President Bill Clinton was in office in the 1990s. After those sky-high gains, investors were already uncertain whether the good times would last. Big tech stocks that propped up the S&P 500 in 2024 have sputtered this year. While downturns are frustrating, they also present opportunities to 'buy the dip' and purchase stocks while they are cheaper. 'Encouragingly, history hints (but does not guarantee) that quick drops below the 10% decline threshold typically resulted in shorter and shallower total declines, followed by more rapid recoveries,' Stovall said in a note Monday. 'Unfortunately, the greatest uncertainty surrounding this decline and possible recovery is that its major headwind — the tariff tiff — appears far from over,' Stovall added. While markets face continued tariff uncertainty, it can be helpful to return to investing 101. A portfolio that is well-diversified across different types of stocks and bonds can help you mitigate losses during market swings. That becomes especially apparent during times of heightened volatility. 'Spreading risk across different asset classes, sectors and regions is investing 101,' Ulin said. 'Think of diversification as your portfolio's seatbelt, keeping you secure when markets hit rough air.' If your portfolio is overexposed to US stocks, it might be smart to consider buying stocks in global markets like Europe and to further diversify by investing in Treasury bonds. Diversification might also look like investing in stocks in industries that have less exposure to tariffs, or 'tariff-proofing' your portfolio, Ulin said. As with all things in investing, there is no one-size-fits-all. Each person has their own unique financial goals and tolerance for risk. Periods of volatility present opportunities to reflect on whether or not your investments still align with your financial goals, according to Tom Hainlin, national investment strategist at US Bank Wealth Management. That means reviewing your investing goals and reassessing whether you're well situated to pay for big-ticket items you might have coming up, whether you have enough cash for emergencies and whether there are new opportunities to buy stocks given the recent declines. If you are closer to retirement, you might consider parking more cash in Treasury bills or other cash-equivalent assets, as one of the most essential steps to take is to try and minimize sequence risk. The bottom line: Volatility — though unnerving — is normal. Keep a level head and look for opportunities to diversify and bolster your portfolio. 'Regularly review your asset allocation, rebalance when needed and tune out the noise,' Ulin said. 'Long-term success is built on discipline, not panic.'
CNN
18-03-2025
- Business
- CNN
How to invest when stocks are sinking
March has been a dizzying month for US markets. The S&P 500 just posted two days of back-to-back gains, but the benchmark index is still down almost 5% this month. President Donald Trump's tariff announcements have roiled markets and sent US stocks bouncing all over the place. While the uncertainty on Wall Street can be unsettling, selling your stocks in panic would likely only make it worse. Although recent market swings can be daunting, market volatility is more normal than you'd think, according to Jeff Buchbinder, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial. 'Volatility is like a toll investors pay on the road to attractive long-term returns,' Buchbinder said in a recent note. The last thing you want to do is 'panic sell.' Volatility is a short-term feature of markets. So, too, are so-called corrections, when stocks fall 10% from their most recent high. Historically, the US stock market has climbed higher in the long term, smoothing out kinks and rewarding investors who stayed in the market. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday told NBC News that he was 'not at all' worried about recent drops in the stock market. 'I've been in the investment business for 35 years, and I can tell you that corrections are healthy,' Bessent said. 'They're normal. What's not healthy is straight up.' Still, seeing your retirement account take a hit can be unnerving, especially given the whiplash of recent market swings. But if you're investing for retirement or long-term financial goals, the best thing to do during moments of uncertainty is to keep calm and tune out the noise. 'Reacting emotionally to the markets can wreck your returns,' said Jon Ulin, a certified financial planner and chief executive at Ulin & Co. Wealth Management. 'Panic selling often means locking in losses and missing the best rebound days,' Ulin said. A core tenet of investing is that no one can really 'time' the market. Swings can be so unpredictable that staying invested is a better strategy than selling and trying to pick the best opportunity to get back into a fund or stock you sold. People who sell when times are tough tend to lose out in the long run. 'Protecting your portfolio isn't about timing the market — it's about time in the market with a strategy that can withstand the storm,' Ulin said. If you've checked your retirement account and felt unsettled — you're likely not alone. The S&P 500's performance from Trump's inauguration to March 7, or 46 days into his second term, was the index's worst start to a presidency since President Barack Obama's first term, according to Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research. Trump's whipsawing tariff proposals are the primary reason for the markets' rollercoaster ride, because they have created an environment of uncertainty. US stocks have slid amid the ensuing economic chaos, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite largely erasing their gains since the election. The benchmark S&P 500 last week closed down 10% from its record high reached on February 19, its first correction since October 2023. Nonetheless, it's important to recognize that market downturns are normal occurrences. The S&P 500 on average has three drops between 5% and 10% each year, according to Buchbinder. Stocks on average see one correction a year, according to Buchbinder. Before the S&P 500 closed in correction territory last week, it had been over a year since its last correction. If you're planning to hold your investments long term, such drops in one year don't necessarily matter. Heading into this year, US stocks had been at record highs, with some strategists questioning whether they were overvalued. The S&P 500 posted back-to-back gains of more than 20% in 2023 and 2024 — a feat not achieved since President Bill Clinton was in office in the 1990s. After those sky-high gains, investors were already uncertain whether the good times would last. Big tech stocks that propped up the S&P 500 in 2024 have sputtered this year. While downturns are frustrating, they also present opportunities to 'buy the dip' and purchase stocks while they are cheaper. 'Encouragingly, history hints (but does not guarantee) that quick drops below the 10% decline threshold typically resulted in shorter and shallower total declines, followed by more rapid recoveries,' Stovall said in a note Monday. 'Unfortunately, the greatest uncertainty surrounding this decline and possible recovery is that its major headwind — the tariff tiff — appears far from over,' Stovall added. While markets face continued tariff uncertainty, it can be helpful to return to investing 101. A portfolio that is well-diversified across different types of stocks and bonds can help you mitigate losses during market swings. That becomes especially apparent during times of heightened volatility. 'Spreading risk across different asset classes, sectors and regions is investing 101,' Ulin said. 'Think of diversification as your portfolio's seatbelt, keeping you secure when markets hit rough air.' If your portfolio is overexposed to US stocks, it might be smart to consider buying stocks in global markets like Europe and to further diversify by investing in Treasury bonds. Diversification might also look like investing in stocks in industries that have less exposure to tariffs, or 'tariff-proofing' your portfolio, Ulin said. As with all things in investing, there is no one-size-fits-all. Each person has their own unique financial goals and tolerance for risk. Periods of volatility present opportunities to reflect on whether or not your investments still align with your financial goals, according to Tom Hainlin, national investment strategist at US Bank Wealth Management. That means reviewing your investing goals and reassessing whether you're well situated to pay for big-ticket items you might have coming up, whether you have enough cash for emergencies and whether there are new opportunities to buy stocks given the recent declines. If you are closer to retirement, you might consider parking more cash in Treasury bills or other cash-equivalent assets, as one of the most essential steps to take is to try and minimize sequence risk. The bottom line: Volatility — though unnerving — is normal. Keep a level head and look for opportunities to diversify and bolster your portfolio. 'Regularly review your asset allocation, rebalance when needed and tune out the noise,' Ulin said. 'Long-term success is built on discipline, not panic.'
