Viewpoints

Viewpoints is Beacon Hill Private Wealth’s library of articles on financial planning and long-term investing. We publish practical, research-informed guidance to help individuals and families think more clearly about long-term financial decisions.

Topics commonly covered include:

Retirement planning and distribution decisions
Tax planning and after-tax strategy
Estate planning and legacy considerations
Risk management and wealth protection
Charitable giving and philanthropic planning
Behavioral finance and decision-making
Investment management principles

Use the categories below to explore topics most relevant to your situation.

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Some readers find it helpful to explore how these planning concepts relate to their own circumstances. If that would be useful, you’re welcome to request a brief introductory conversation to discuss fit and approach.

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Why Modern Portfolio Theory Still Matters

January 3, 2022 Behavioral Finance Investment Management

Modern Portfolio Theory may seem to only focus on a market’s optimal state but using the system in tandem with other theories will allow an investor to take a balanced view of their financial strategy.

When It Comes to SMAs, How Do You Measure the Impact of Personalization?

October 1, 2021 Investment Management Tax Planning Sustainable Investing / ESG

A Shift in Government Could Mean Big News for Environmentally-Focused Investors. Here's What We Mean

February 8, 2021 Investment Management

33% of total invested assets are currently placed in sustainably focused investments. With a new administration in Washington, D.C., what could the future look like for environmentally-focused investors?

The Behavior Gap Is Real, and It Can Be a Major Player in Your Investment Decisions. During Times of Market Volatility, Be Aware of These 4 Emotions

January 20, 2021 Behavioral Finance Investment Management

Sometimes our natural instincts can cost us money and peace of mind. How to shape our behaviors to foster smarter financial decisions.

Planning for Uncertain Times

November 4, 2020 Investment Management Protecting Wealth Retirement Planning Risk Management Tax Planning Most Read

With last night’s election and ongoing health and economic concerns related to COVID-19, uncertainty remains high, as it has for most of 2020. Unfortunately, this is likely to continue well into 2021 on health, financial and societal fronts. As investors, it’s never enjoyable to navigate periods like this, so we wanted to step back and reinforce our perspective on financial markets as we head into the close of 2020.

Could Green Bonds Be Your First Step Toward Socially Responsible Investing?

November 1, 2020 Investment Management

If you've been considering realigning your wealth with socially responsible investments, green bonds may be an ideal option for you. Here's what you need to know and consider about these environmentally-focused investments.

Perspective on Recent Market Volatility

March 13, 2020 Investment Management Protecting Wealth

Our colleagues discuss recent volatility in financial markets and provide perspective on these events.

Hindsight Is 20/20. Foresight Isn’t.

December 12, 2019 Investment Management

This year has been yet another reminder that the prediction game can be a losing one for investors.

How Private Equity Destroys Investors’ Wealth

October 29, 2019 Investment Management

Private equity investing has created enormous wealth for those fortunate to be the general partners of a fund. But for regular investors – the limited partners – recent studies show that when properly adjusted for risks, PE returns lag those of the less risky public markets. Moreover, there is little evidence that investors can identify, in advance, the very few PE funds that will outperform.

Individual Stock Investing Increases Risk

September 18, 2019 Behavioral Finance Investment Management

Recent studies show that the returns to equity investors have historically come from a relatively small number of stocks. Investors who fail to adequately diversify increase their chances of failing to own those high-performing stocks, and they are not compensated for the risks they do bear.