June 2017 Newsletter

  We hope this newsletter finds you well as we head into summer.
Market Update and Investment Strategy
Statistic graph of stock market data and financial analysis. Stock market graph. Stock market earning. Stock market indicator. Stock market financial graph. Stock market analysis. Financial statistic analysis. Financial investment graph.
Performance has been positive across most asset classes.  Stocks fared best, with strongest gains in growth and international.  Bonds also increased, which indicates that investors have gotten used to the Fed's policy of slowly increasing interest rates. Alternative investments averaged a small gain.

Golden Trail Advisers has begun to incorporate Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) into its portfolios.  DFA has been in business for 35 years and is a very good fit with our investment philosophy. The name "Dimensional" applies to the dimensions that have been correlated with outperformance over long periods of time: size, value, and profitability.  We are looking forward to discussing your investment strategy and how DFA funds might benefit your portfolio.
Tax News
taxes in the paper on a blue background
While there are thousands of potential changes to the tax code that could be proposed, the biggest changes will likely come from an attempt to simplify the current system, reduce corporate taxes, and reduce the marginal tax rates for personal income taxes.

Even if taxes are reduced at the federal level, there could be a catch for residents of Illinois and other high-tax states. Currently you are able to deduct your state and local taxes from your federal tax bill.  However, some of the tax reform proposals suggest eliminating or capping these deductions to offset the reduction in federal tax revenue.

We know from history that when Reagan tried eliminating the deduction for state and local taxes, Congress defeated it.  But, we do not know what would happen today.

We will continue to monitor tax changes and how they may relate to you.
 
Update:  The Department of Labor (DOL) Fiduciary Rule
The majority of the Fiduciary Rule is scheduled to go into effect on June 9, 2017, with some provisions delayed until January 1, 2018.

Serving as a fiduciary requires putting the best interests of clients ahead of any other interests.

Supporters of the Fiduciary Rule believe it will help prevent abuses on the part of financial advisors such as excessive commissions and churning of accounts. Critics believe it may not accomplish its intended results and may merely increase compliance costs.
Couple meeting with financial adviser
Golden Trail Advisers, LLC is and always has been a fiduciary to its clients.
New Addition

Lynn Ackerman has joined Golden Trail Advisers as a Wealth Manager. She has over 15 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management. Lynn is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Master of Finance. 

Lynn got her start in a bank trust department working on tax and trust administration. Lynn’s wealth management experience includes seven years at the same company as Mike Sedlak. Lynn will continue to serve clients and to help Golden Trail Advisers enhance its financial planning and investment management services.  Please join us in welcoming Lynn to Golden Trail!


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