Exciting News
Kelly: Hello everyone, and welcome to this week’s biweekly update. I’m Kelly Heppe, and I’m joined by Tom Boh and Alex Phillips. We have some exciting news—our newest team member, Ashley Leibfried, has joined us! Stay tuned for more details and click below to learn more about Ashley. We’re thrilled to have her on board.
Also this week, the Fed met yesterday and decided to keep interest rates unchanged, holding steady between 4.25% and 4.5%. They cited persistent inflation and tariff-related uncertainties. Notably, two members dissented in favor of a rate cut, signaling some internal division about the path forward. We’ll be watching the September meeting for more clarity.
Tom: Thanks, Kelly. As you know, it’s earnings season, and the big tech firms are reporting strong results. Microsoft, Meta, and Nvidia all delivered solid Q2 numbers, helping the NASDAQ post modest gains. Earnings growth for the S&P 500 is currently tracking at +7.7% year-over-year, beating early July forecasts. There’s still more to come, but so far, the reports are encouraging. Over to you, Alex.
Alex: Thanks, Tom. A quick update on global trade: a last-minute agreement between the U.S. and the EU has prevented the reimposition of $15 billion in tariffs. The deal includes exemptions for semiconductors and clean energy, along with a €750 billion EU commitment to purchase U.S. energy—definitely something to watch. We’re also monitoring the impact of the newly passed tax bill. You can find a link below to our recent call reviewing the legislation.
As always, thank you for your trust and confidence. Take care.
Welcome Ashley Leibfried!
Ashley recently relocated to Colorado from her home state of Iowa. She holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Iowa and began her career in Tax at Ernst & Young. Most recently, she worked at Morgan Stanley as a Client Service Associate in Private Wealth Management after becoming fully registered.
Watch Now: How the Tax Bill Impacts You
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) introduced a number of significant changes in tax policy – most notably, the extension of several provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
In our latest Baird Wealth Strategies call, Tim Steffen, Director of Advanced Planning, unpacked what these changes could mean for your tax planning and long-term financial goals. Click here to access the recording.
Summer’s Last Hurrah!
As the golden days of summer wind down, let’s raise a glass and celebrate the season one last time! 🌞🍹
Join us for our Final Patio Happy Hour on Wednesday, August 21st, and soak in the sunset vibes with great company, refreshing drinks, and the smooth, soulful sounds of Larry Lagerberg’s live jazz performance. 🎷✨ Don’t miss this perfect send-off to summer!