January 17, 2013 In Investment Strategy By Elaine Heller, CFA®

A Pending Bond Bear Market?

In the aftermath of the tech bubble, the housing bubble, Wall Street scandals and the near collapse of the financial system, many ordinary investors have lost faith in the equity markets.  In an effort to reduce the risk in their portfolios, retail investors have exited equity mutual funds while bond funds have seen large inflows (see chart below).  Investors have accepted the lower return of fixed income assets in exchange for lower volatility and more certain cash flows.  Unfortunately, these investors may be in for a far rockier road than they had anticipated; we believe the current very low yields on fixed income instruments do not compensate investors for the risk that is building in the asset class. READ MORE

January 17, 2013 In Markets By James Walsh

Fiscal Cliff-Hanger

It came down to the very last minute, but compromise was made and the majority of the fiscal cliff averted.  Not surprisingly the markets rallied early on news of the pending compromise.  What was surprising was the resilience of the market during weeks of tough negotiations.  Those expecting a repeat of the prior year’s debt ceiling debate and market fall were disappointed.  With the compromise in place much of the uncertainty over tax policy has been put aside.  The Bush tax cut rates have been made permanent for the vast majority of tax payers.  Still ahead, a debt ceiling compromise and meaningful tax and spending reform as the fiscal cliff “fix” has added $4.6 Trillion to projected deficits over the coming decade. READ MORE

January 17, 2013 In Coldstream Happenings By Catherine Williams

About Coldstream

Coldstream Special Event – Jason Trennert  Join us Wednesday, January 23rd at the Overlake Club in Bellevue where Strategas Partners Chief Strategist, Jason Trennert will share his major investment themes for 2013.  Strategas serves as a key research and investment strategy partner to Coldstream. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!  Email susan@coldstream.com if interested in attending.

New Team Members  Coldstream welcomed aboard three new team members in December!  Previously a practicing estate planning attorney, Kurt Biederman has joined Coldstream in the role of Associate Relationship Manager providing wealth management services to clients. READ MORE

November 21, 2012 In Investment Strategy, Market Commentary, Tax Strategy, Wealth Management By Randall Buck

Thoughts on the “Fiscal Cliff” from the Coldstream Investment Strategy Group

With the elections over, the media has turned its attention to negotiations between the U.S. House, Senate and Administration over tax policy and spending programs to avert what has been dubbed the “fiscal cliff” facing our country.  One of our research resources, Strategas Research Partners, provides a list below of the various tax extensions, programs and spending cuts set to change in 2013 if action isn’t taken between now and year end. Investors have clearly been nervous about the outcome of these negotiations; the S&P 500 stock market index has fallen (as of November 16th) more than 6% from its early October level, with the NASDAQ composite and small cap stocks down even more.READ MORE

© 2028 Coldstream Capital Management, Inc. & Rainier Group Investment Advisory LLC d.b.a. Coldstream Wealth Management. All data shown includes information from combined entities. All Rights Reserved.