By Chad Roope, CFA ®, Chief Investment Officer As expected, the Federal Reserve announced it would maintain the Federal Funds rate range at 4.25% to 4.5% on May 7, 2025, marking the third consecutive meeting without a change. This decision reflects the central bank’s cautious stance given current economic uncertainties, particularly those stemming from recent trade and tariff policies implemented by the Trump administration. In its official statement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) highlighted increased risks to both sides of its dual mandate: maximum employment and price stability. The committee noted that while overall U.S. economic output appears solid; unemployment numbers are low and inflation data from March cooled some, the outlook for employment and price stability has become more uncertain due to trade policy developments. During the subsequent press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell elaborated on these concerns, emphasizing that the recent tariffs could lead to higher inflation and slower economic growth. He pointed out that the first quarter GDP had edged down, partly due to businesses accelerating imports ahead of anticipated tariffs, which complicated economic assessments. Powell also addressed the potential for stagflation – a scenario characterized by rising inflation and unemployment coupled with stagnant demand. He acknowledged that if the tariffs remain in place, they could delay progress on reducing in
By Mark Sipos, LFG Tax Director Filing season may be over, and nobody wants to think about filing taxes again, but now is the time to get planning ideas into action. Getting an early start on tax planning for 2025 offers greater flexibility, the ability to budget more properly, and may allow you to take full advantage of some planning ideas versus waiting until the last minute. Here are a few things to consider: Personal Tax Filing Review: Analyze your previous year's tax return. Did you owe a lot? Get a large refund? This can indicate the need for adjustments to your withholdings or tax planning strategies. Did your tax preparer offer any insights to lower your tax bill that need to be executed? Adjust Tax Withholdings: If you had a large tax bill or refund, use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to calculate the appropriate withholding amount and update your Form W-4 with your employer. Tax withholdings on pension distributions can be adjusted using Form W-4P. Estimate Taxes (if applicable): If you have income not subject to withholding (self-employment, investments, etc.), estimate your tax liability and make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties and interest. We saw higher tax bills in 2024 due to higher earnings on savings and CDs, and large capital gain distributions. Optimize Deductions and Credits: Research and identify potential deductions and tax credits you might be eligible for, and plan how to maximize them. Consider Retirement Contr