History as Context
Tax rates and mortgage rates are both on the rise. For some investors, these shifts may indicate negative trends for market prices and economic growth. If we zoom out for perspective, history tells us that these increases may not be such a bad thing.
Pinch Points
Many industries have been unprepared for rapid surges in demand caused by the pandemic. Notably, the lumber and microprocessor industries find themselves rationing scarce quantities through higher prices.
A Dash of Perspective
One method of gaining perspective when faced with overwhelming data is to zoom out and understand how recent activity fits into a larger pattern. By doing this, we can gain a better understanding of the ‘relative progress’ during the pandemic versus the ‘absolute progress’ over a longer timeframe.
Money, Cryptocurrency, and the Value of Trust
Cryptocurrency is an evolution of money that currently hinges on its ability to solidify widespread trust in its functionality as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Trading platforms like Coinbase may add legitimacy and security to ownership of cryptocurrency.
The Impact of Interest Rates on Everything
Q1 2021 Market Commentary
In the current pattern of growth, interest rates are likely to be volatile while both production and employment are recovering, and equity prices are likely to behave in kind.
Soil Health and Societal Health
Impact Highlight Report
We examine the interconnection between soil health and societal health and the opportunity for investors to align their financial resources with their desire for a positive impact.
Sam Wood-Bednarz is Now a Partner with North Berkeley Wealth
North Berkeley Wealth Management congratulates Lead Advisor and Director of Financial Planning, Sam Wood-Bednarz, CFP® on his new role as Partner.
Bottleneck at the Canal
Traffic on the Suez Canal is fully halted in both directions after the Ever Given became lodged in the embankment. Fascinating as it is, the bottleneck and the slowdown that it’s caused will ultimately be a short-term detour in the long-term trajectory of global trade.
Growing Pains
We are now probably getting into the second act of the pandemic, and can’t yet see clearly the possible twists in the plot that will set us down in an entirely new landscape. Like a Shakespearean character, though, we continue to accommodate to circumstance.
Another Block in the Chain
The potential for blockchain as a technology is easy to recognize. Much harder to know at this point is how that potential will be applied.
Better Business – Our Journey as a B Corp
Receiving the B Corp certification gave us a way to look outward and reminded us that our impact travels in many directions, reaching well beyond the walls of our office.
Two Things in Life are Certain
Taxes is one of life’s certainties and we have seen countless times that having the right professional and effective collaboration can make all the difference.
When Bad News is Good News
Rising interest rates are a natural process in the re-opening of the economy and show that the market relationship between stocks and bonds is normalizing.
Berkeley Food Network
Community Partner Highlight
In 2020, the Berkeley Food Network stepped up to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on food insecurity in our local communities.
The Upside of Inflation
Inflation and the upward trajectory for interest rates are a healthy sign for our shared economy and the long-term investor.
A Song of Ice and Fire
Complex systems like energy grids or financial markets aren’t perfect, but they are designed to be resilient. When catastrophes happen, resiliency matters more than perfection.
Unintended Opportunities
Covid-19 could shift from a pandemic disease to an endemic one. Businesses understand this shift and new and potentially lucrative Covid-19 business lines are quickly emerging.
2020 Community Engagement Report
In 2020, we looked at the issues of justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in our community, our industry, and our workplace. We asked ourselves, how do we better engage in issues of social justice?
Engaging with Social Justice
In 2020, our firm looked at the issues of justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in our community, our industry, and our workplace. We asked ourselves, how do we better engage in issues of social justice?
Pedaling as Fast as We Can
Optimism in the markets is being driven by innovation, ultra-low interest rates, and the promise of financial and public health support from the government. Are we running ahead of reality?
Go, Go, GameStop?
The market gyrations caused by the bizarre and meteoric rise of GameStop stock illustrates the sharp contrast between short-term trading and long-term investing.
The Arc of Change
The arc of change bends towards justice but it isn't guaranteed. It requires hard work and tireless effort stretching across generations.
Points of Consistency
Q4 2020 Market Commentary
As we enter 2021, we expect to encounter potholes as well as progress, with an uneven path to global economic recovery over at least another year or two.
An Orange Sky, and a Green Future – Part II
Vaccine rollout and increased spending on green infrastructure may make 2021 a much more positive year economically than 2020. Whether or not stock prices have further room to rise in the near term, is yet to be determined.
Progress, Not Perfection
2020 brought dramatic change to our daily lives and prompted adaptation in many industries. Although 2021 will probably not be a smooth ride, progress will be the main theme.