S&P 500, Nasdaq Catapulted to New Highs by Micron and Tech as Traders Monitor Shaky Iran Negotiations: Live Updates
U.S. equity indexes surged to fresh record levels on May 26, with the S&P 500 climbing above 5,300 and the Nasdaq breaching the 16,000 mark. The rally was sparked by Micron Technology’s earnings beat and upbeat guidance, which lifted the broader tech sector. Meanwhile, traders kept a wary eye on the stalled nuclear talks between Iran and the West, a geopolitical flashpoint that could stir market volatility. The combined effect of strong corporate data and lingering risk sentiment set the tone for the day’s trading.
Stocks Aren’t Pricing in Collateral Damage of Shutting Down Strait of Hormuz, Says CIO
Chief Investment Officer Ron Albahary warned that equity markets are downplaying the fallout from a potential shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that moves roughly 20% of global oil shipments. He argued that investors are assuming a swift...
Economic Flash: Risk Appetite Rapidly Returns
April’s market rebound showed risk appetite snapping back as the S&P 500 jumped nearly 11% on strong earnings and renewed AI enthusiasm. At the same time, inflation pressures resurfaced, with the core PCE index climbing to 3.2% – the highest level...
RIA Edge 100: AI Won’t Alter Client-Advisor Ratios
AI adoption is accelerating among registered investment advisors, but it isn’t reshaping the client‑advisor ratio. Laird Norton Wetherby CEO Kristen Bauer says AI delivers “behind‑the‑scenes” efficiencies that free advisors from routine tasks. The technology enables advisors to devote more time...
LNW 2025 Annual Impact Report
LNW’s 2025 Annual Impact Report details a year of resilience amid industry and political headwinds, emphasizing how impact‑focused investing can sharpen insight and drive long‑term outcomes. The firm highlights progress across its investment portfolio, stewardship activities, and firm‑wide ESG practices....
In the Industry: Q2 2026 Impact Digest
Sustainable and impact investing is not in retreat; capital continues to flow, though with tighter discipline and less branding. Morningstar reports $3.7 trillion in global ESG fund assets remain after 2025 outflows, while the North America Renewable Energy Index outperformed the...
Economic Commentary Q2 2026: Markets Reawaken to Risk
Ron Albahary, CIO of LNW Advisors, released the firm’s Q2 2026 Economic Commentary, noting that markets are reawakening to risk after a period of caution. The report cites renewed inflation pressures, heightened geopolitical shocks, and rapid AI‑driven disruption as key...
Ron Albahary on Leadership, Risk, and Long-Term Thinking
Ron Albahary, CFA, chief investment officer at LNW, appeared on Ethic’s Work Ethic podcast hosted by Doug Scott. He emphasized that managing risk is as much a psychological discipline as a quantitative one. Albahary also described how leading with trust,...
Private Equity at 50: Hold Everything
Private equity celebrates its 50th anniversary amid an unprecedented distribution drought. The article argues that while low interest rates contribute, the primary driver is the sector’s scale, which has shifted incentives from performance‑based carried interest to asset‑under‑management‑driven enterprise value, encouraging...
The Great Wealth Transfer: Strategies to Transfer ‘Superfluous’ Assets Without Taking an Estate Tax Hit
The article defines “superfluous” assets as holdings—second homes, artwork, concentrated stock—that exceed a family’s income needs and can be earmarked for tax‑efficient transfer. It outlines several estate‑planning tools, including Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, charitable remainder trusts,...
Economic Flash: A Month of Second-Order Effects
March’s markets pivoted from a geopolitical flashpoint to broader macro pressures, as the Iran‑related conflict drove energy, fertilizer and helium price spikes while inflating inflation expectations. Simultaneously, AI‑related anxieties sparked redemption activity in private‑credit and SaaS‑heavy private‑equity funds, though underlying...
Video: Economic Flash April 2026
The April 2026 Economic Flash video highlights how ongoing geopolitical conflict, surging energy costs, and lingering supply‑chain disruptions are amplifying volatility across global equity and bond markets. Andrew Whitney points to unexpected price swings in real assets, including commodities and...
Update on the Washington State ‘Millionaires’ Tax’ and Estate Tax Rollback
Washington enacted a 9.9% “millionaires’ tax” on household income above $1 million, effective 2028 with payments beginning 2029. Proponents estimate the levy will generate $3‑4 billion annually to fund education, childcare and low‑income tax credits. The measure includes exemptions for family‑owned businesses,...