This report explores a few key statistics that paint a picture of the Birmingham area economy. Our Birmingham Area Economic Report places the Birmingham area economy in a state, regional and national context. Click here to download the full report… Read More >
Long Term Portfolio Returns – January 2019 Update
In order to make sound investment decisions today, we are forced to make long term projections of portfolio returns. The methodology, assumptions, and original inputs for our approach to predicting long term portfolio returns are originally documented in our white… Read More >
What It Means To Be A Fiduciary Under ERISA
Overview The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) sets out comprehensive standards of conduct for those who manage an employee benefit plan and its assets. In addition to a specific person being named in the plan document, a… Read More >
Planning for Charitable Giving
According to the National Philanthropic Trust,[1] approximately 90% of high net worth families give to charity, and in 2017, charitable giving accounted for 2.1% of gross domestic product. American families have historically given more money to charity than those in… Read More >
Long Term Portfolio Returns – January 2018 Update
In order to make sound investment decisions today, we are forced on making long term projections of portfolio returns. The methodology, assumptions, and original inputs for our approach to predicting long term portfolio returns are originally documented in our white… Read More >
The Bank Shot, Q4 2017
In this issue of The Bank Shot, our quarterly newsletter for community banks, we take a robust look at the bank M&A arena in 2017. Click here to read the full report.
The Monkey’s Advantage
The Wall Street Journal ran a periodic column a few years ago that compared the performance of some of the best stock pickers to that of monkeys throwing darts at a page of stock listings. After some time, the “monkeys”… Read More >
Effect of Stale Returns on Diversification Strategies
In an effort to manage risk and reduce volatility, investors often seek to diversify the holdings in their portfolio. Diversification is sometimes described as the only “free lunch” when it comes to investing. The idea behind diversification is that an… Read More >
The Bank Shot – August 2017
In This Issue In “Up, Up and Away…Bank M&A Scorecard June 30, 2017,” we discuss how M&A activity and pricing so far in 2017 is noticeably up compared to 2016. In “The Ol’ Pea Under the Shell Game,” former Alabama… Read More >
Benefits of a Donor Advised Fund
Each year around the end of March, I spend at least half a day tracking down my charitable contribution receipts in the hope of increasing my tax refund with a charitable deduction. There are plenty of tools to help me… Read More >
Birmingham Area Economic Report, Q1 2017
This report explores a few key statistics that paint a picture of the Birmingham area economy. The Porter, White & Company Birmingham Area Economic Report, published quarterly, places the Birmingham area economy in a state, regional and national context. Click… Read More >
Estimating Bond Returns
Many people find the performance of bonds, and particularly bond funds, confusing. We know that if we buy a bond for $100 that matures in 5 years and pays a $5 coupon (or 5% yield), then we will earn 5%… Read More >
What’s It Worth, Q4 2016
Our quarterly valuation review explores recent valuation trends in the public and private markets, directed to small and middle market business owners and the professionals and financial institutions that serve them. The review is designed to provide realistic guidance on… Read More >
The Bank Shot – February 2017
Click here for the PDF. In This Issue In “Trump Bump?…2016 Bank M&A Scorecard,” we discuss how M&A in 2016 was down compared to 2015 but wonder if the November election could be a boon to 2017 bank M&A. In… Read More >
Birmingham Area Economic Report, Q3 2016
This report explores a few key statistics that paint a picture of the Birmingham area economy. This is the tenth edition of the newly reinstated Porter, White & Company Birmingham Area Economic Report, which is published quarterly. The results in… Read More >
Should I Check the Per Stirpes Box?
Many people save for retirement in a defined-contribution retirement plan (like a 401k) or an individual retirement account (traditional or Roth IRA). It is important to designate beneficiaries for accounts. The forms, often seemingly simple to fill out, have hidden… Read More >
Make Small Cap Stocks Great Again?
The stock markets in the days immediately following the recent US presidential election were surprising to many in a number of ways. US small company stocks experienced higher returns than US large company stocks. This period helps illustrate how different… Read More >
The Bank Shot – October 2016
In “IRS Besieges Family Controlled Banks,” we discuss proposed regulations that could have far-reaching and punitive consequences for family-owned banks. In “Q3 2016 Bank M&A Scorecard,” we review current trends in bank M&A and discuss the impact of loose-lipped politicians…. Read More >
