Insights

Apr 02, 2025

April Market Commentary: A Shift in Focus

Five years ago this past quarter, investors panicked in the face of unprecedented health and economic uncertainties related to COVID-19. From February 19th to March 23, 2020, the S&P 500 and All-World indices declined 33%. This represented the most intense market drawdown in history.

Mar 11, 2025

Understanding Social Security - The Basics

Understanding the fundamentals of Social Security is crucial for developing a strategy to maximize benefits. Key factors to consider include how Social Security benefits are calculated, the optimal time to claim benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, and the taxation of benefits. These elements play an essential role in the decision-making process.

Jan 02, 2025

Psyche Matters! January 2025 Market Commentary

This time last year, the average market strategist forecasted the S&P 500 would increase 3% in 2024. At mid-year, the index was up 15%.

Nov 20, 2024

It's Not too Late to Reduce Your 2024 Tax Bill

It is not too late to consider tax planning moves that may lower taxes for the 2024 tax year and possibly position you for savings in the years ahead. While tax planning is a never-ending endeavor, important deadlines are approaching for many strategies that could benefit you in 2024.

Nov 12, 2024

Medicare Planning for 2025: Making Sense of Your Options

When it comes to retiree health insurance, it can be overwhelming to understand when to enroll, options under each plan, costs and what plan best fits your needs. In this brief commentary, we highlight things to consider as you approach retirement.

Nov 06, 2024

Planning for Year-End 2024: Gifts and Distributions

With the end of the year quickly approaching, here are time-sensitive planning strategies to help you achieve your goals before the year concludes. Your Woodmont team has highlighted the below deadlines to keep in mind.

Oct 24, 2024

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

There is no guaranteed method to completely block identity theft. But these measures will help reduce your risk.

Oct 01, 2024

Volatility at Home and Abroad: October 2024 Market Commentary

The third quarter proved volatile on many fronts. The major market indices experienced a drawdown of nearly 10% in early August only to reach all-time highs by the end of September, leaving the S&P 500 and All-Country World indices up 22% and 19% for the year.

Aug 15, 2024

One Sunset We’re Watching Closely

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) ushered in significant changes to the Federal tax code. Business and individual tax filers have likely become familiar with many of the TCJA’s changes in recent years.

Jul 16, 2024

Corporate Transparency Act

Enacted in 2021, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) will require small business owners to report ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Jul 02, 2024

A Perfect First Half? July 2024 Market Commentary

We love publishing our July market commentary. The timing reminds us that the summer is still young. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate our nation’s independence, honor the sacrifices that have sustained us, and recognize the foundations our framers put in place to “form a more perfect union.”

Apr 02, 2024

A Bit of a Shock! April 2024 Market Commentary

Momentum is a powerful thing – in life, sports (just ask March Madness opponents of N.C. State’s men’s and women’s teams), and the financial markets.

Jan 02, 2024

A “Magnificent” Rebound: January 2024 Market Commentary

Market strategists and journalists are regularly in search of catch phrases or acronyms to succinctly describe financial conditions, market performance, and investor sentiment.

Nov 08, 2023

It's Not too Late to Reduce Your 2023 Tax Bill

It is not too late to consider tax planning moves that may lower taxes for the 2023 tax year and possibly position you for savings in the years ahead. While tax planning is a never-ending endeavor, important deadlines are approaching for many strategies that could benefit you in 2023.

Oct 25, 2023

Planning for Year-End Gifting and Distributions

With the end of the year quickly approaching, we want to share some reminders on planning opportunities and recommended deadlines to ensure we can help you accomplish your goals before the close of the year.

Oct 16, 2023

Medicare Planning for 2024: Making Sense of Your Options

When it comes to retiree health insurance, it can be overwhelming to understand when to enroll, options under each plan, costs and what plan best fits your needs. In this brief commentary, we highlight things to consider as you approach retirement.

Oct 02, 2023

No Rest for the Weary Investor: October 2023 Market Commentary

Investors have been on a wild ride the past few years, including a historically tough 2022 when stocks and bonds posted double digit losses.

Jul 05, 2023

Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and A.I.: July 2023 Market Commentary

We hope you enjoyed the July 4th holiday. While food and fireworks likely added to your fun on the fourth, the emergence of artificial intelligence (A.I.) as an investment theme proved a major catalyst for investor excitement and strong first-half equity returns.

Apr 03, 2023

Perspective: April 2023 Market Commentary

Over our firm’s twenty-three year history, we’ve produced market commentaries during challenging times and on the heels of some horrible tragedies.

Mar 13, 2023

You've Seen One Bank, You've Seen One Bank

Late Sunday afternoon the Treasury, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Federal Reserve took extraordinary measures to protect bank depositors around the country.

Jan 03, 2023

Bad News, Good News: January 2023 Market Commentary

As we reflect on 2022 and plan for the new year, there is no shortage of bad news.

Dec 06, 2022

It's Not too Late to Reduce Your 2022 Tax Bill

It is not too late to consider tax planning moves that may lower taxes for the 2022 tax year and possibly position you for savings in the years ahead.

Nov 15, 2022

Planning for Year-End Gifting and Distributions

With the end of the year quickly approaching, we want to share some reminders on planning opportunities and recommended deadlines to ensure we can help you accomplish your goals before the close of the year.

Oct 07, 2022

Medicare Planning for 2023: Making Sense of your Options

When it comes to retiree health insurance, it can be overwhelming to understand when to enroll, options under each plan, costs and what plan best fits your needs. In this brief commentary, we highlight things to consider as you approach retirement.

Oct 03, 2022

The End of an Era: October 2022 Market Commentary

The passing of the resilient and remarkably dutiful Queen Elizabeth II represented the end of a long era. Few Britons have lived under another monarch. The affection for the Queen was apparent from the British response, including a nearly five-mile “queue” of citizens waiting to pay their respects.

Jul 01, 2022

A Big One-Two Punch: July 2022 Market Commentary

The upcoming 4th of July holiday is a welcome mid-year respite.

May 10, 2022

Intra-Quarter Market Brief: A Rapidly Shifting Landscape

Our normal pattern is to issue a quarterly market commentary. In periods of heightened market volatility, however, we strive to communicate more frequently.

Apr 01, 2022

An Inspiring Response: April 2022 Market Commentary

The Ukrainians’ incredible fortitude in the face of Russia’s invasion and merciless tactics has inspired the world.

Jan 03, 2022

Lots of Catching Up to Do: January 2022 Market Commentary

After an incredibly resilient 2020, most stock market prognosticators expected only modest gains in 2021.

Oct 01, 2021

Putting it all in Perspective: October 2021 Market Commentary

The third quarter proved an eventful one for investors.

Sep 01, 2021

Medicare Planning for 2022: Making Sense of your Options

When it comes to retiree health insurance, it can be overwhelming to understand when to enroll, options under each plan, costs and what plan best fits your needs. In this brief commentary, we highlight things to consider as you approach retirement.

Jul 01, 2021

Half-Full or Half-Empty: July 2021 Market Commentary

Our April Market Commentary was titled, The Opposite of Cabin Fever. In short, we expected social and business activity to resume abruptly as vaccines were distributed and the threat of the COVID-19 crisis receded.

Apr 01, 2021

The Opposite of Cabin Fever: April 2021 Market Commentary

Judging from increased pedestrian traffic and the return of pedal taverns and party barges, signs of life in downtown Nashville are emerging. While certainly tepid relative to recent years, and despite the enormous challenges still facing the major arts and entertainment venues, the activity is encouraging.

Feb 01, 2021

Planning Perspectives: Self-Employed Retirement Savings

While there are several retirement savings vehicles available to sole proprietors and contractors, the two favorites in terms of flexibility and savings potential are the SEP-IRA and solo 401(k).

Jan 04, 2021

Hope Springs Eternal: January 2021 Market Commentary

Well said, Unknown! 2020 has been a tumultuous year and arguably the most consequential since 1969.

Oct 01, 2020

It’s A Marathon Not a Sprint: October 2020 Market Commentary

This summer, the financial markets sprinted ahead at a record pace.

Jul 01, 2020

A First Half to Remember: July 2020 Market Commentary

The shifting landscape for commerce (e.g., bricks to clicks), record unemployment, and the number of businesses that have permanently closed due to COVID-19 creates a degree of economic uncertainty we have not seen since The Great Recession of 2007-09.

Jun 30, 2020

Time to Refinance?

Confronted with the challenges of COVID-19 the Federal Reserve has taken unprecedented actions, including a commitment to buying U.S. Treasuries, municipal, and most recently corporate debt.

May 28, 2020

Important Planning Considerations 2020

The SECURE Act and recently passed CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 crisis create some unique retirement, tax, and estate planning opportunities.

Apr 01, 2020

The Will to Win: April 2020 Market Commentary

Details are slowly emerging for what the $2 trillion stimulus bill passed on March 25th means for small businesses, certain corporations, and individuals.

Mar 23, 2020

COVID-19 Market Brief: What’s Priced In?

Last week and over the weekend, Federal, State, and local governments increased dramatically their efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Mar 15, 2020

COVID-19: You Have Everyone’s Attention

Our nation’s response to COVID-19 in the past forty-eight hours has escalated dramatically.

Mar 04, 2020

Intra-Quarter Brief March 4, 2020

Woodmont Investment Counsel: Intra-Quarter Brief

Jan 02, 2020

The "Amazing" 2010s, January 2020 Commentary

According to the United States’ master clock keeper, the U.S. Naval Observatory, 2019 was not the last year of the decade.

Oct 02, 2019

All Four Seasons: October 2019 Market Commentary

Nashville “Unicorns” (a.k.a. the locals) speak of a time when the city experienced all four seasons, including more than a mere dusting of snow in winter.

Jul 01, 2019

The Summer’s Safe Call: July 2019 Market Commentary

With both the Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament titles in hand and a record thirteen major league draft picks on the roster, most baseball pundits predicted Vanderbilt to win the College World Series last week.

Apr 01, 2019

Wet Ground, Sunny Markets: April 2019 Market Commentary

Someone recently remarked, “It rained twice in Nashville during the first quarter.

Jan 01, 2019

Glad that’s over, or is it?: January 2019 Market Commentary

Thanksgiving fell early this year, which meant the resulting holiday shopping season included six weekends.