How CFOs should navigate the current environment
Whether you are managing a large corporate balance sheet or your retirement portfolio, all CEOs, CFOs, investors or financial controllers benefit from understanding the impact of the macro-economic environment on their business or investment strategy. Today we look at US and Jamaican monetary policy and their implications for our investment strategy: Central Bank Policy – Interest […]
Financial Markets Performance: Looking Back while Navigating Ahead
The year 2024 was a fascinating one for global financial markets, marked by shifting monetary policies, evolving geopolitical dynamics, and a continued focus on sustainability. While the markets faced periods of volatility, certain sectors demonstrated resilience, offering both challenges and opportunities for investors. In this article we’ll review the performance of financial markets in 2024, […]
Embracing an Abundance Mindset
The start of a new year is a time for renewal, reflection, and fresh focus. It’s a season brimming with possibility, offering a chance to reset and realign your goals and mindset. Among the most transformative shifts you can make is embracing an abundance mindset—a belief that opportunities and resources are limitless, and that growth […]
Make Merry Money Moves This Holiday Season
As the year comes to a close and the festive spirit fills the air, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your financial goals and chart a course for 2025 and beyond. Much like preparing for the holidays, planning your finances requires thoughtfulness, balance, and a touch of cheer. Here are four key questions to […]
Spreading Holiday Cheer While Staying Financially Clear
Tis the season to be jolly and hopefully still be financially savvy. As the Holiday season fast approaches with 5 weekends to the most wonderful time of the year many people are eyeing their funds and trying to figure out if they are going to be a mean one like Mr. Grinch or jolly like […]
” When Life Changes, Money Changes- Marriage and Parenthood”
When life changes, money inevitably changes too. Major life events often prompt reevaluating financial priorities, strategies, and habits. Understanding the intersection of life transitions and financial adjustments is crucial for maintaining financial health and achieving long-term goals. In our recent client survey, many of our respondents said that they chose to invest with Sterling Asset […]
The Power of Even 1%: How Small Differences in Investment Returns Can Have Big Impacts
When it comes to investing, it’s easy to overlook the impact that small differences in returns can have on your financial future. After all, a 1% difference in the rate of return might seem trivial when considered in isolation, especially when compared to the effort involved in moving your investments. However, over time, this seemingly […]
What global currency movements mean for your consumption and investment decisions:
According to the IMF’s Article 4 published in March 2024, the Jamaican dollar has appreciated against the US dollar in real terms by 1% in 2021-2022 and by 6.6% in 2022-2023. Of note, the Jamaican dollar has also roughly retained its nominal value against the Japanese Yen year to date in 2024 (primarily a result […]
Is Cash Still King?
Federal Reserve officials continue to give signals that they will be moving to rate cuts soon, possibly in September. The market is now at a turning point and fixed income investors may be wondering what are the best options to pursue? Is cash still king and being liquid the best move for investors now? Hoarding […]
The pitfalls of FOMO
Fear of Missing Out commonly called FOMO is a slang term generally used to describe the emotion and distress persons feel when they miss out on experiences that others may be having. This feeling tends to arise especially when what is being missed is perceived as an enjoyable or memorable activity. In the realm of […]
Perfect prices and timing
In the dynamic world of investing, arming yourself with current and factual information is key. Investors sometimes fall in the trap of searching for a “unicorn”, the perfect bond at the perfect price at the perfect time, and so may end up waiting in vain. Additionally, decisions made on outdated or incomplete information can lead […]
Your Pension is not enough!
Each month, thousands of Jamaicans contribute 5%, 10% and as much as 20% of their monthly salary to a pension fund or individual retirement account. In some cases, this is matched by your employer. The most important message for these contributors is that – your pension investments will NOT support you in retirement. These funds […]
Securing Your Legacy V: Key Lessons on Estate Planning
As I wrap up my article series “Securing Your Legacy,” we look back on the journey we’ve shared. Throughout the series, we’ve explored the significance of defining your legacy, establishing clear goals, and delved into the importance of estate planning, selecting the right financial partner, drafting a will, and understanding their impact on generational wealth. […]
Boosting Your Financial Skills
“Bad luck”, “Jinxed”, “Silly”, are adjectives’ some clients have used to describe themselves when speaking to me in our initial conversations. I’m sure I am not the only advisor who has heard these terms before. In a world of information overload, influencers and unfortunately fraud, we can easily become hooked on data that is not […]
Securing Your Legacy IV: Estate Planning Lessons from Bob Marley’s Life and Legacy
Last week our team watched the Bob Marley One Love movie, as a part of a staff movie night that was dubbed “One Team, One Love”. While watching, I got an appreciation of Bob Marley’s music and message of love, unity, and justice and how it continues to resonate with people worldwide. As I watched, […]
Positioning your portfolio for changing interest rates
Throughout 2023 fixed income investors who were brave and had excess liquidity were able to take advantage of opportunities that arose in the bond market. Investors were able to add instruments that were investment grade at steep discounts. While some investors clutched their pearls, the brave stayed the course even as their portfolio value perhaps […]
Lower rates, Fret not!
The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) held its signal rate unchanged at its policy meeting on January 31st, as expected, but signalled it will be cutting interest rates later this year after hiking aggressively over the past two years to cool decades high inflation. As the Fed gradually normalizes its policy rate, some investors fear that […]
Bonds: Simplifying Estate Planning for a Seamless Wealth Transfer
Estate planning is a complex task. It becomes significantly more manageable with the strategic inclusion of bonds in the financial portfolio. Bonds, known for their stability and income-generating potential, offer a range of benefits that align seamlessly with the goals of effective estate planning. In this article, we explore how bonds can streamline the estate […]