INTRODUCTION
As we bid farewell to the first quarter of the 21stcentury, we stand at the crossroads of innovation and uncertainty, where the echoes of past challenges mingle with the whispers of future possibilities. In this letter, our CEO John Bird explores how perspectives of political events have shifted over time, challenging our understanding of economic decision-making. Our CIO Jason Ware remarks on the economics of 2024, setting the stage for an intriguing financial landscape in 2025.Then, Senior Wealth Advisor Anders Skagerberg, standing at the threshold of this new year with its opportunities and challenges, looks to turn your aspirations into achievable goals and navigate the evolving landscape of personal finance with confidence and clarity.
FROM JOHN BIRD’S DESK
While inauguration day is still several weeks away it’s clear President elect Trump is already having an impact on how we view policy and economics domestically and globally. Markets responded favorably to his propensity toward deregulation and lower taxes. Individual reactions to Trump’s statements vary wildly depending on preconceived notions of his policy and personal views of his character. This is normal. Yet for the better part of a century the field of economics treated human emotions as secondary. When and why did economics become a field viewing itself as distinct from politics specifically and the vagaries of the human condition writ large?
The study of political economy evolved in the sixteenth century as philosophers of the time worked to understand the interplay of government policy and household management. These early writers wanted to know how we as individuals made decisions and how
government policy choices impacted those decisions. Adam Smith is perhaps the best known visionary in this school of thought though there were several others influential at the time. An overriding thesis was the notion that allowing for individual incentives fostered greater creativity, effort, and wealth creation than dictates from on high.
Centuries later, toward the end of the eighteen hundreds physical sciences were expanding understanding of our natural world through the scientific method and increased use of mathematics. It was in this period that the term “economics” began to supplant “political economy” as the field worked to shift more toward mathematical modeling of economic decision making with less reliance on factoring in the human emotional element driving the course of our economic path.
In the twentieth century the study of economics was dominated by factors that could be quantified. Numbers ruled the roost. And this period gave us volumes of insights into the working of our economic system which continue to help guide policy and investment decisions today. Yet an awareness of the importance of human behavior in economics can scarcely be overstated. Many of us work to be logical in our decision-making. But when we pull the trigger, it is the emotion of the moment that compels us to act. As investors we ignore this reality at our peril.
The University of Michigan collects data on consumer sentiment based on political party and the insights are a striking example of how our worldview impacts our perceptions. The information highlights that when a democrat is elected to the oval office democratic consumer sentiment spikes upward while republican sentiment plummets. When a republican is elected the effect is inverted. These changes in sentiment are at best loosely correlated (and typically not correlated at all) to unemployment rates, income growth, interest rates or other quantifiable factors that impact aggregate financial well-being. Rather, it’s us as humans acting … human. Turns out how we feel about something has a big impact.
When we look at how we respond to various events – like elections – it’s clear that “political economy” is a better way of understanding our environment and our behaviors than economics alone. It’s also essential to note that while we may understand the why of the financial markets a bit better that doesn’t mean we should change our approach. We continue to invest in companies with competitive advantages that can be sustained for the foreseeable future. We continue to hold those companies regardless of the emotions of the moment. Sometimes in the face of emotional swings so common to our human condition our best course of action is to follow the advice of the white rabbit in Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland: “Don’t just do something, stand there.” As we enter 2025, we will keep the wise words of said rabbit in mind and keep a steady hand on the tiller of your investments. Thank you for your continued trust and confidence in the Albion team. We wish you a healthy and prosperous new year.
ECONOMY & MARKETS by Jason Ware
What a charmed time this has been for Wall Street! The economy and earnings are doing well. Inflation and interest rates are coming down. Shoppers are outshopping. The US dollar has rallied, and the incoming administration is assumed to be more business friendly. The stock market is in its happy place as evidenced by yet another +20% annual gain. As we close out the year, let us explore each.
The US economy is strong. The labor market is healthy, people are pending, we have a boom in technology capex(AI and Cloud), and there remains a sturdy pro-growth fiscal tailwind. Things look fine today (nothing in the data points to recession) and growth in the years ahead should be stronger than the decade pre-Covid … not by a lot, but better … on rising real incomes, sustained expansionary policies from the Beltway, strong spending and investment on infrastructure and technology, and enhanced productivity.
On prices, the 2021-23 inflation problem has been solved. Not in terms of price level, that’s not going back down (a good thing). But as it relates to price growth, we’re now far better off. While the Fed’s 2% target remains elusive, we are close. Our view holds (for a few reasons) that we can expect inflation roughly in the mid-2s … that 2% will be this cycle’s floor not its ceiling (like in the 2010s) … and that’s just fine. Anything under 3% should be constructive for the economy and financial markets.
Meanwhile, the Fed is now in an easing cycle with a goal to arrive at “neutral.” For those with better things to do than study magic numbers in economics, the neutral rate is essentially inflation plus what economists call “r-star” (r*)– a real rate of interest that’s said to balance the economy. Neutral policy is neither expansionary nor contractionary. Presently, we consider this level to be perhaps 3.5-4.0% (note: for its part, the Fed currently thinks it’s 3%). Meaning, if things go well, we can expect a couple more quarter-point cuts along this path. Now, it’s possible (probable?) this won’t go perfectly to plan without some hiccups, but it could. And if so, that’s conceptually the track forward.
Bond yields take their cues from this base rate math. If 3.5-4.0% represents neutral fed funds and a reasonable term premium for the 10-year Treasury is maybe 1.0% or so, then 4.5-5.0% would be structural equilibrium. On the investment grade corporate side, add about +0.75-1.0% in risk premium. Certainly, these things will move around based on factors like mood, geopolitics, prospects for growth, inflation, and government deficits, making real-time bond yields messier than this straight-forward theoretical exercise. Nevertheless, today is a pretty good time to lock in yields, where appropriate, for balanced accounts.
Over in equity land, unsurprisingly we remain long run bullish on US stocks. The American system endures as the most innovative, dynamic, nimble, and resourceful economy on the planet. The finest universities, brightest minds, and most cutting-edge companies all reside here, not to mention the deepest and most efficient capital markets around. Combined, this is what Buffett calls the “American tailwind” – a force the now 94-year-old sage still believes will propel us onward in the years and decades to come. We agree. Accordingly, our belief is that stock prices will continue to do what they’ve always done: track the general direction of workforce demographics, economic growth, innovation, and business profits, all of which move up over time taking with them the long-term oriented investor.
Speaking of corporate profits, the single biggest item that informs stock prices, they’re at record highs. It’s likely that the S&P 500 logged ~$240 in earnings-per share (EPS) in 2024. If the economy holds up (our base case) we could see ~$275 in 2025 and perhaps ~$300 in 2026! For perspective, EPS troughed at ~$138 during Covid and was ~$162 the year before the pandemic. US companies are quite skilled at making money. More importantly, our portfolio companies continue to shine on this front. We still skew positive for our outlook on corporate earnings. Naturally though, there are some warts. Notable is valuation as stocks aren’t cheap. However we don’t deem them as expensive as those who cite “24x”, CAPE, or whatever. Moreover, it depends on where one chooses to look. Are there expensive parts of the market? Absolutely. More attractive expanses? Totally. At the index level, the S&P 500 currently has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of just over 24x 2024 EPS and 21x that of 2025. Again, not cheap, but not crazy either. It’s been higher at times, and P/E is a terrible timing tool (its best use is to gage expected returns over longer periods, like a decade) so we can’t glean much from these figures as to where the market goes short run. Resultantly, we judge valuation as OK especially if earnings are expanding, inflation is benign, and we’re in an easing cycle with sensible and stable(ish) long rates. Too, post-election, we believe that earnings over the next year or two might come in higher than existing estimates on the notion that less regulation, lower taxes, and increased buybacks could fuel even loftier figures. We’ll see.
Underneath the index level, technology, AI, and the ‘Mag 7’ do look richer relative to other areas, while most everything else is cheaper (S&P 500 is ~16x ex-tech). Spots like health care (and other “defensives”), industrials, REITs, small caps, mid-caps, international, all sport lower valuations – both on a relative and absolute basis. The practical application of this being that portfolio construction and investment tilts matter, while diversification is still the only “free lunch” when investing. If equities broaden out (in earnest) in 2025, it’ll be important to have suitable exposures while preserving deliberate tilts toward quality businesses in tech and growing consumer names. Adding up the puts and takes, we think it unlikely the S&P 500 will be driven by multiple expansion in the years to come. Rather, earnings growth may contribute the lion’s share of the return. But don’t let that get you down beat. If earnings compound at, say, +6-8% (utterly doable) while dividends and buybacks add another couple percent, then the S&P 500 as purely an “earnings growth and shareholder returns story” can be a good stock market indeed. Falling P/Es would be a head wind to this calculus, but for now that’s not our expectation.
As we look ahead to 2025 we are calling it “A Year of Three-Twos.” That is, a US economy firmly growing mid-2s; (core) US inflation settling into the mid-2s; and a Fed that maybe cuts 2 times. 222 … an “angel number” (let’s hope!). Of course, amid all these variables and moving parts we’ll continue to do our job as your investment manager in navigating the landscape for our companies / investments. Thanks for your continued trust in us, and Happy New Year!
PLANNERS CORNER by Anders Skagerberg
As we step into 2025, the planning team remains committed to guiding you to a lifetime of good decisions.
The start of a new year is a chance to reflect, refocus, and take meaningful steps toward your financial goals. Whether you’re planning for a major milestone, fine-tuning your retirement plan, or simply looking to enhance your financial knowledge, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Looking back, 2024 was a big year – markets were up, we had a presidential election, and so much more. As we look forward to the new year, no one knows for certain what it will hold, but we’re confident that with thoughtful planning and a focus on what truly matters, it can be a year of progress, opportunity, and positive change.
In this planner’s corner update, we will cover:
- How to Crush Your Financial Goals in 2025
Practical tips and strategies to set meaningful goals, automate your success, and celebrate progress along the way.
- Key Updates for 2025
A look at higher contribution limits, expanded gifting opportunities, Social Security adjustments, and new catch-up provisions for those nearing retirement.
- What We’re Working on This Quarter
An overview of our initiatives, from updating RMD calculations to integrating income and employer benefits changes into your financial plan.
Let’s make 2025 a year of financial progress and success. Together, we’ll navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead with confidence and clarity!
Next, How to Crush Your Financial Goals in 2025
As we kick off the new year, it’s the perfect moment to take a step back and think about what matters most to you—and how your finances can support that vision.
Depending on your stage of life, your financial goals might be less about growing your wealth and more about maintaining it, simplifying your financial life, or finding ways to use your money to create lasting memories with those you love.
Whatever your focus, the key is to make your goals clear and actionable.
Instead of aiming to “save more” or “spend less,” think about specifics. Maybe you want to fund a family trip, increase your charitable giving, or update your estate plan. Having a concrete goal gives you something to measure progress against—and makes it much easier to see the finish line.
Once you’ve clarified your goals, it’s time to focus on how to make them happen. One of the simplest ways to stay on track is to automate whenever possible. Automating your distributions, bill payments, or even charitable contributions ensures you’re consistent without having to think about it too much. Plus, it gives you more time and energy to focus on what really matters—whether that’s planning your next adventure, enjoying time with family, or pursuing a hobby you love.
Of course, flexibility is just as important as structure. Life has a way of throwing curveballs—unexpected expenses, changes in tax laws, or even an unexpected opportunity you want to pursue. Having some wiggle room in your financial plan can help you roll with the punches while staying on track. For some, that might mean keeping a healthy amount of cash on hand or simply revisiting their plan more regularly to make adjustments.
As you think about the year ahead, it’s also worth reflecting on the bigger picture. How does your financial plan fit into the legacy you’re building? Maybe it’s about leaving something meaningful for your loved ones or supporting causes you’re passionate about. Having a conversation with your family about your values, your estate plan, or even your charitable intentions can make all the difference in ensuring your vision is carried forward in the way you intend.
Finally, don’t forget to pause and appreciate the progress you’ve already made. Achieving your goals—big or small—is worth celebrating.
Whether it’s checking off a bucket-list experience, reaching a financial milestone, or simply enjoying the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re on track, these moments matter. They remind us that financial success isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about living the life you want and sharing it with the people you love.
Here’s to making 2025 a year full of progress, purpose, and the joy that comes from seeing your hard work pay off.
Next up, here are some key financial updates to be aware of for 2025.
Key Updates for 2025:
- Higher Contribution Limits:
401(k)/Roth 401(k): Increased to $23,500, with a $7,500 catch-up for those aged 50+.
IRA/Roth IRA: Remains at $7,000 with an additional $1,000 catch-up if you’re 50+.
HSA: Increased to $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families, with a $1,000 catch-up for those aged 55+.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): Increased to $108,000 for those over age 70.5. This can be a great way to support the charities you love while receiving valuable tax savings.
- Social Security Benefits COLA Increase:
Social Security benefits will receive a 2.5% Cost-of-living increase for 2025.
- Expanded Gifting Opportunities:
The annual gift tax exclusion has increased to $19,000, (up from $18,000) offering more opportunities for tax-efficient wealth transfers. This means that you can give $19,000 tax-free each year to any person. For a couple, that’s a combined $38,000 per year they can give to a single person.
- NEW “Extra” Catch-Up Contributions for those age 60, 61, 62, and 63:
Larger catch-up contribution limits are now in place for those aged 60-63, making it easier to save more if you’re nearing retirement age. The limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500. This is a new change as of this year and is part of the Secure 2.0 Act passed in 2022.
- Inherited IRA RMDs
If you inherited an IRA from someone other than your spouse after January 1, 2020, the SECURE Act introduced a 10-year rule requiring the account to be fully distributed by the end of the 10th year following the original owner’s death. For beneficiaries where the original account owner had already begun taking required minimum distributions (RMDs), the IRS requires annual RMDs in addition to the account being emptied by the end of the 10-year period.
However, due to clarifications and administrative challenges, the IRS waived the annual RMD requirement for 2020 through 2024. This means that even if you didn’t take any distributions during these years, you did not face penalties. Starting in 2025, the annual RMD requirement will resume, and beneficiaries must take these distributions or potentially face penalties. The 10-year deadline for fully depleting the account remains unchanged.
If you are interested in learning more about any of these updates or need additional clarification, as always, we are here to support you.
Next up, here are some of the things we are working on this quarter as well as a few action items for you.
What We’re Working on This Quarter
The start of the year is always a busy time, and we’re focused on ensuring your financial plan is positioned for success. Here’s what the planning team is focused on:
- Calculating Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for those who need them. For those who take monthly distributions to satisfy your RMD, we will be updating those amounts as well to reflect your new RMD for the year.
- Updating Payroll Information and Benefits: If you’ve had changes in pay or recently made benefits elections during open enrollment, we’re integrating those updates into your plan.
- Annual Tax Packages: for those with taxable accounts (non-retirement accounts) you will be receiving your annual tax package that includes a summary of your portfolio income for 2024. Reminder: this is not a tax document, just a summary. Investment account tax documents will be available from custodians starting in mid-February.
Action Items for You:
- If you’ve received a raise, send us your updated pay stub so we can adjust your financial plan accordingly.
- If your employer has an open enrollment period, share your benefits details with us to ensure your elections align with your goals.
Of course, this list is just a glimpse of what we’re focusing on this quarter. As always, we’re here to handle the details so you can stay focused on what matters most.
Ultimately, we’re thrilled to kick off another year of partnering with you to make thoughtful, informed financial decisions. Here’s to a successful and prosperous 2025!
Albion Financial Group is an SEC registered investment advisor. The information provided is intended solely for educational purposes and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any particular securities product, service, or investment strategy. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Additional information about Albion Financial Group is also available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov under CRD number 105957. Albion Financial Group only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, notice filed or excluded or exempted from registration or notice filing requirements.