Last Thursday, a celebration of life service was held for Susan Zanner. While guests came to grieve their loss, they also came to celebrate Susan’s ultimate victory. Printed in the order of service was a poem we share with you today written by Linda Nielsen titled A Gift. Susan discovered her cancer was a gift; a gift that came to her in many ways, through many people, over many months and years as she walked the path so many have walked.

During the first three weeks of the year, the financial markets have been relatively calm.  If there is any “trend” we have observed, it is the simple fact that some areas of the market which rallied the most after the Presidential election in 2016 are now relative laggards in 2017, and areas of the market which performed the worst are now the market leaders.  The numbers are not huge – most asset class returns are between -1% and 3% so far in 2017, but today we are sharing three examples of what we are seeing.

Charitable giving continues to uniquely define the United States when compared to other nations.  With many of our clients giving considerable sums to charities each year, we thought our readers would be fascinated and inspired by the following excerpts taken from an article entitled “Philanthropy’s 3 Percent Solution,” written by Adam Meyerson, president of the Philanthropy Roundtable and published in Philanthropy Magazine.

Earlier this week, we ended our 2016 monthly series of “Portfolios at Panera” talks with a market recap event at The Joseph Group’s offices.  We reviewed each major asset category and talked about “What did we do (in portfolios in 2016)?” and “What is our view (outlook for each asset class in 2017)?”  One of the items we discussed was the underperformance of foreign stocks relative to U.S. stocks since the election and the answer was surprising.

As widely anticipated, earlier this week the Federal Reserve increased its target for short-term interest rates by 0.25% (from 0.25% to 0.50%).  The move was well telegraphed – prior to Wednesday’s meeting, the market (Fed Funds futures) were pricing in a near 100% chance the rate hike would happen. What remains uncertain though is the Fed’s path for rate hikes in 2017. What does all of this mean for bonds?  After all, when interest rates go up, bond prices go down. 

Undoubtedly the life of John Glenn has inspired all of us. In memory and honor of this man’s humble and generous spirit, we share a reflection by Columbus Foundation President and CEO Doug Kridler. Godspeed, John Glenn!

Though the story shared with you today may have some age, its message is timeless. Published on December 14, 1982 was the story winning first place  in a popular magazine’s contest, “My Most Moving Holiday Tradition.” It has not only encouraged families to adopt the tradition in their own home, but also inspired an Atlanta, Georgia family to start Giving101, a nonprofit passionate about unleashing the amazing power of contagious giving. May we remember throughout the season to give from the heart and remember Mother Teresa’s words, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”

The Small Cap rally is no turkey. In the two weeks since the U.S. presidential election we have seen wide swings in different areas of the financial markets, but one of the clear winners has been U.S. Small Cap stocks.  Why have they “trumped” the performance of other asset classes?

As we celebrate a time to count our blessings and shift our hearts to the gifts and graces that flow into our lives every day, we share with you a story of one family’s Thanksgiving ritual; the gratitude tree. May it encourage us all to take time during this busy season to express all that we have to be thankful for in our lives today and every day thereafter. 

Earlier this month we celebrated Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. We share with you today a story that reminds us their service and dedication to our country is one to honor on November 11th and every day thereafter. Currently, there are only five surviving veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars that have quadruple amputations; Retired United States Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is one of them.