The 2024 election season was marked by intense political rhetoric, divided opinions, and high stakes. Now that the dust has settled, attention is turning to how the economic landscape, shaped by the potential for new policies in the new administration and the underlying public sentiment, will affect the final month of the year: the holiday shopping season. Black Friday has long been the official start of the shopping season, and economists look to this day as a good gauge of consumer confidence and the overall health of the economy. A strong performance in Black Friday sales can boost confidence, encouraging more spending, while a weak showing may signal a slowdown in overall economic activity. How the lingering effects of the election results affect consumer spending and retail trends this shopping season is yet to be seen.
In XML news, we are pleased to announce a few highlights that you can read more about below. These include Newsweek ranking XML on its list of "America's Top Financial Advisory Firms for 2025", details on our new website and mobile app launch, and our upcoming webinar, "Retirement Planning for Business Owners". Lastly, we have our weekly wealth insights video highlighted, a spotlight on the upcoming IRS tax adjustments for the 2025 tax year, and our monthly fraud focus warning against holiday shopping scams.
Regardless of your holiday shopping list or the upcoming shopping season and its economic results, staying the course with your financial plan is vital to long-term financial success. May you enjoy a joyful and prosperous holiday season, staying focused on your long-term financial goals while embracing the spirit of giving and togetherness.
In this week’s XML Wealth Insights video, President of XML Financial Group, Curtis Congdon, shares his perspective on the national debt and its impact on the economy, interest rates, and in turn the markets and your investments.
Upcoming: Retirement Planning for Business Owners Webinar
Join us on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 1:00pm EST, for an informative webinar designed specifically for small business owners looking to enhance their retirement planning. In this session, we will explore various types of company-sponsored retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Cash Balance Plans with Lori Avila, Vice President or Retirement Plan Consulting at Benetech and Sharon Abbey, Wealth Advisor at XML Financial Group.
The presentation will cover key comparisons of popular options and identify the types of businesses and owners that may find one option more appealing than the other.
We are excited to announce that XML Financial Group has been named to Newsweek’s List "America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms 2025"!
This prestigious recognition celebrates firms that deliver transparent, client-first services, helping individuals and businesses make informed financial decisions with confidence. The award highlights our unwavering commitment to providing tailored wealth management solutions designed for each client's unique needs.
The list, compiled in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, highlights firms that go beyond traditional financial advisory services by offering comprehensive and forward-thinking strategies. Newsweek and its research team evaluated more than 15,000 financial advisories registered with the SEC and scored them based on a variety of factors, including asset performance, client performance, adviser expertise and client ratio, breadth of service offerings, and conflicts of interest. Firms were ranked and scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with the top 750 earning recognition as America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms 2025.
For more information on the methodology behind Newsweek’s ranking, click here.
To view the full list and see XML's ranking, click here.
New Website and Mobile App
We're excited to share some BIG news with you—we've officially launched our brand-new website and redesigned mobile app! After months of hard work and planning, we're thrilled to offer you a refreshed online experience that's more user-friendly, visually appealing, and packed with valuable resources. Every detail has been carefully chosen to better communicate our values and the quality of service we offer. Look for improved navigation, a mobile-friendly design, enhanced features, and updated branding.
We're thrilled to share some wonderful news from our team! Our wealth advisor, John Sciuto, and his wife have welcomed their second child, a beautiful baby boy named Robbie. Both mom and baby are doing great, and John is overjoyed to add another child to the family. Please join us in congratulating John and his family on this joyous occasion. We're sure little Robbie will bring endless joy and laughter to their home!
XML Education Spotlight
IRS Announces Adjustments for Tax Year 2025
The IRS has released its annual inflation adjustments for the 2025 tax year, providing crucial updates for taxpayers planning to file their returns in 2026. These adjustments impact over 60 tax provisions, including changes to standard deductions, tax brackets, and various credits. Click below to read a quick overview of what’s new for tax year 2025.
As the holiday season approaches, it's a time for joy, giving, and celebration. However, it's also a prime opportunity for scammers looking to take advantage of your holiday spirit. Whether you're shopping for gifts or donating to charities, this article highlights some common scams highlighted by the Better Business Bureau to watch out for, along with tips to keep your finances and personal information safe.
XML Financial Group is committed to protecting clients by actively combating fraud. Our proactive approach includes regular internal assessments to stay ahead of threats, striving to maintain trust and security in all client interactions. Check out our new "XML Fraud Focus" newsletter section, every month for fraud tips and alerts so you know how to protect yourself and your family.
This communication is for information and educational purposes only. This is not a recommendation for the sale or investment in any product or strategy nor should it be perceived as individual advice. Information presented has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed and does not represent all available data necessary for making investment decisions. Economic and market forecasts presented herein reflect a series of assumptions and judgments as of the date of this presentation and are subject to change without notice. Forecasts do not consider the specific investment objectives, restrictions, tax and financial situation or other needs of an individual. Actual data will vary and may not be reflected here. Accordingly, these forecasts should be viewed as merely representative of a broad range of possible outcomes. The opinion expressed by this individual is based on facts and circumstances known at this time, is subject to change and does not reflect the opinions of all financial professionals of XML.
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