Global Markets Elevate – Equity Review

Domestic equities finished November with the highest monthly gains since the summer.

Optimism surrounding U.S.-China trade discussions helped fuel equities higher, with technology, health care, and financials as the leading sectors in November.

The absence of volatility, along with the Federal Reserve maintaining a steady rate environment, was also a catalyst for equities to climb in November. Stock market volatility, as measured by the VIX Index, dropped to its lowest levels since April.

U.S. equity markets have outperformed international equities over the past two years. Historically, a lower U.S. dollar has benefited international stocks, as well as helped increase exports of U.S. products worldwide since a lower dollar makes exported products relatively cheaper. (Sources: U.S. Commerce Department, Bloomberg)

Looks Like QE But It’s Not, Says The Fed – Fixed Income Overview

The Federal Reserve is slowly re-expanding its balance sheet by purchasing $60 billion of Treasury bills each month. Although this action is reminiscent of the Fed’s quantitative easing (QE) program, meant to stimulate economic activity, the Fed denies that it is QE, but rather just a buffer for any possible bond market volatility.

Interest rates are believed by economists to have stabilized for the time being, as the Fed has essentially placed a hold on raising and lowering rates until further notice. The yield on the 10-year Treasury bond ended November at 1.78%, essentially where it’s been for the past two months.

The presidential race is promoting bond buyers to consider municipal bonds in order to hedge against any possible increase in tax rates. The tax-free interest payments generated by municipal bonds have historically benefited certain investors in the higher tax brackets. (Source: Federal Reserve)

Presidential Candidate Tax Proposals Influence Voter Turnout – Politics In Review

Taxes and income inequality have become a primary agenda topic for several presidential candidates. Various proposals from the candidates include repealing the Tax & Jobs Act, removing the step-up basis for inherited assets, increasing capital gains tax, imposing a financial transaction tax, and eliminating the tax deduction for mortgage interest on a second home.

Presidential election voter turnout is tracked by the Bipartisan Policy Center, which monitors voter turnout by state. The 2016 presidential election saw an estimated 55% of the voting-age population turn out to vote. Who actually turns out to vote can be driven by the candidates’ policies and how they may affect individuals. The number of voters has varied over the years and has historically been very difficult to predict. (Source: Bipartisan Policy Center)

Medigap Plan F Phasing Out – Medicare Benefits Update

Of the ten Medicare supplemental plans, known also as Medigap, the single most popular plan, Plan F, will be eliminated at the end of the year to new subscribers. 

Retirees who turn 65 after 2019 will no longer have Plan F as an option. Plan F is the most expensive supplemental option since there are no deductibles, no co-pays, and no additional bills after a doctor’s visit. 

Plan G will become the most comprehensive plan after Plan F is phased out to newcomers. Plan G is almost identical to Plan F, with the exception that it requires a Medicare deductible payment before insurance pays any benefits.

A Medigap policy supplements expenses not covered by Medicare, including co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles.  Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies and vary in pricing and coverage from state to state. 

The following are important aspects regarding Medigap policies:

In order to secure Medigap coverage, one must have Medicare Part A and Part B.

A Medigap policy only covers one person, not a married couple. Therefore, each person needs their own separate policy.

Any standard Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable, even with a pre-existing condition.

Medigap does not cover prescription drugs. Medicare Part D does offer coverage for prescription drugs.

Medigap policies generally don’t cover long-term care, vision, dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private nursing. (Source: medicare.gov)

What It Takes To Be In the Top 1% Of Earners – Fiscal Policy

According to the most recent data released by the IRS, it took annual earnings of $515,371 to be part of the top 1% of earners in 2017. The amount of income required to crack the top 1% mark increased 7.2% from the prior year, equal to an additional $37,106 in income.

Of the 138,945,000 individual tax returns filed in 2017, 1,432,952 returns fell into the top 1% category. The top 50% tax earners were, on the other hand, more representative of taxpayers across the country, with an income threshold of $41,740. There were over 71 million taxpayers that fell into the top 50% in 2017.

(Source: IRS, www.irs.gov/statistics/soi)