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Market Commentary

Viewpoints: April 2026

Welcome to our April 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. Look on the Bright Side Markets are up this year, but…

Investment Planning, Taxes

Direct Indexing for High-Net-Worth Investors

What Is Direct Indexing—and When Does It Make Sense for High-Net-Worth Investors? Direct indexing has gained attention in recent years as technology, like automation and ample liquidity, has made it more accessible. It offers a way to combine passive investing with more flexible tax management and portfolio customization. That can sound appealing, but like most…

Market Commentary

April 2026 Market Commentary

Volatility remains in vogue to begin the month of April. The war in Iran continues to change shape with the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz just underway after peace talks fell through. And by the time you read this, it may already be old news. Traders are watching every headline, trying to determine…

Market Commentary

Viewpoints: March 2026

Welcome to our March 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. The World and Oil At this stage of the US war…

Taxes

Tax Planning vs. Tax Preparation: 5 Principles to Reduce Lifetime Taxes

Summary: Tax planning goes beyond annual tax preparation by proactively structuring income, investments, and giving to reduce lifetime taxes. The article explains five core principles and shows how retirees, business owners, and high-income professionals can look beyond tax preparation and leverage tax planning strategies to keep more wealth compounding toward their goals.  A smart tax strategy is one…

Market Commentary

March 2026 Market Commentary

As war in the Middle East escalates, investors are confronted with the reality of a world that is becoming more dangerous. With markets reacting minute by minute to the news, it’s helpful to take a step back and consider events in a broader context, suggests Capital Group political economist, Talha Khan. “The death of Iran’s…

Market Commentary

Viewpoints: February 2026

Welcome to our February 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. Your Favorite Asset Class Quilt Rebalancing and diversification are once again…

Estate & Legacy, Investment Planning

Roth IRAs for Kids

Roth IRA for Kids: How Custodial Roth IRAs Work and When They Make Sense  Summary: A Roth IRA for a child can be a useful planning tool when earned income exists, but it’s not a default strategy and should not replace education-focused accounts like 529 plans. Custodial Roth IRAs follow standard IRS rules, including earned income requirements and…

Market Commentary

February 2026 Market Commentary

February delivered one of the more dramatic market reactions in recent memory, driven not by an economic data release, but by a personnel decision. News that President Trump intends to nominate Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Chair of the Federal Reserve sent shockwaves through the gold and silver trading markets. If there’s such…

PDS Experience, Taxes

The Wealth Management Tax Stack

The Hidden Costs That Quietly Erode Wealth “Don’t tip the IRS” It’s a familiar mantra among tax-conscious investors. Yet while most business owners and executives focus on minimizing their tax obligations, far fewer recognize a different set of “taxes” quietly eroding their wealth. These hidden costs don’t appear on a tax return. They’re embedded in…

Market Commentary

Viewpoints: January 2026

Welcome to our January 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. Varying Lengths of Bull Markets The chart below shows the length…

Don’t Pay More Simply Because You Have More Money.