Market Trends to Watch

Market Trends to Watch

The investment world is like the weather: constantly changing. Financial vehicles are tweaked and improved upon, particularly when there are changes to tax law or compliance rules. The world of finance is fluid, and so are we. As our lives evolve, it’s important to review and sometimes make adjustments to our investment and insurance goals and strategies.

The difficult part can be keeping up with all the changes. We believe one of the best ways to do that is to work with a financial advisor and meet with him or her regularly. At least once a year, it’s good to review your current situation, find out what changes or new products are available, and determine if you should make any alterations to your financial portfolio. Contact us if you are interested in such a consultation.

Following is a roundup of news and timely reminders from the investment industry.

 Impact Investing

What may have started as an environmentalist movement to effect change by tapping invested assets, the sustainable investment industry has grown into a mainstream strategy. The share of assets invested in funds focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues increased 40% from 2000 to 2017.1

 This is no longer simply a “do-gooder” motivation. Studies have revealed that companies focused on environmental efficiency — meaning they minimize the use of natural resources and generate less production waste — tend to enjoy economic advantages over less environmentally sensitive competitors. These advantages can include lower costs; higher flexibility and efficiency in their supply chains; increased productivity; reduced regulatory risk; and fewer costly fines, recalls or mitigation requirements. As a result, recent studies found, the stocks of these companies tended to be less volatile — particularly in manufacturing and other resource-intensive industries.2

 E-Commerce Update

Online sales are starting to have a more profound effect in some sectors of the investment market. For example, in 2018, Amazon surpassed Walmart as the top apparel retailer in the United States, claiming more than 9% of the market. But not all traditional retailers have been hit as hard by e-commerce; for example, some investment analysts say retailers like QVC and those in the business‑to‑business e-commerce market — notably in the home improvement and auto parts industries — remain competitive because they are more insulated from Amazon or other online competitors. 3

 And there’s another angle to consider with e-commerce. While we normally associate online retailers with low overhead, overall the industry requires three times the warehouse space of primarily brick‑and‑mortar retailers. In turn, this has created opportunities in the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) market that focuses on commercial properties.4

Investment trends

According to Bank of America, some of the economic and societal changes to watch over the next 10 years include:5

1. More disruptions in the global flow of goods, ultimately leading to a rebalancing that will increase productivity and lead to a more sustainable global economy

2. A focus on high-quality companies in sectors with low political risk, such as utilities, national defense, waste management, data processing and payments, and global beverages

3. Markets responding to demographic shifts, such as the rise of the middle class in emerging market countries and millennials’ preference for tech compatibility and sustainability

4.Continued growth of energy-efficient, renewable, sustainable and green initiatives

Learn About the Best Places to Retire Outside of the United States

If you’re working with a financial planner, you’ve probably spent years asking the same question – “how much does it cost to retire in Ann Arbor?” – if living abroad is something you’ve always dreamed of, you can shift your financial planning a bit to accommodate your new goal and start asking, “how much does it cost to retire abroad?”

Willian P. Barrett, a contributor for Forbes, writes, “The U.S. Social Security Administration just reported it’s now sending checks to almost 700,000 people living in foreign countries. That’s a steady 40% increase over 10 years.”

Check out our website to learn about the best places to retire abroad!

Work with Imber Wealth Advisors to Figure out How Much it Costs to Retire

If you’re not already working with a financial planner, it’s time to call one of our experts! Our firm treats you like family, and we will help you create a plan to achieve all your retirement goals, even living abroad! We can help you create a plan that aligns your life and your money to help you leave a stress-free retirement. Contact us today to get started!

Have You Considered Retiring Abroad? Here are the Best Places According to Forbes...

Have you recently retired? Are you planning your retirement? Trying to figure out what’s next?

Have you considered moving out of the United States, but never had the means to do so?

Moving abroad is a big decision, but don’t be put off the idea if it appeals to you! It may be easier than you think.

According to Forbes, “many countries offer a high standard of living at a much lower cost and throw in good weather, great scenery, and fascinating culture at no extra charge.”

To see Forbes’ list of the best places to retire abroad in 2019, click here!

Imber Wealth Advisors can help you plan how much it costs to retire in Ann Arbor, or abroad!


Our family-focused firm will create a plan to align your money and your life goals.

Is Your Financial Plan In Place For Retirement?

There’s a difference between believing you’re ready for retirement and knowing you’re ready.

At Imber Wealth Advisors, our experienced financial planners will work with you one-on-one to create a financial plan that gets
you ready.

As you prepare to leave the workforce, there are a number of important considerations you need to keep in mind:

Do you have enough saved? 
Do you have a budget plan? 
Do you have a 401k withdrawal schedule? 
Do you know where your money is? 

Click Here for more tips on how you can plan for your retirement now.

Are You Financially Ready For A Relaxing Retirement?

Too often people quit working and jump into retirement without thinking about the long term. As health care costs continue to rise and people live longer, you need to be ready for unexpected expenses alongside your standard day to day costs.

 You need to fully plan for retirement before you retire. 
You need to schedule your 401k retirement withdrawals. 
You need to budget your financial plan. 
You need to make sure your funds are consolidated and accessible. 

 At Imber Wealth Advisors, we help people in the Ann Arbor area plan for retirement. With a strong financial plan in place, we can help you prepare to leave the workforce and live comfortably. Take control of your financial future and give us a call at (734) 769-1719 today!

Which Category of Wealth Do You Fall Under?

Michael Chamberlain, a contributor to Forbes, says “Wealth management is the utilization of processes, services and products designed to grow, protect, utilize and disseminate one’s wealth.”

Chamberlain also breaks down this sometimes vague definition of wealth into 3 groups. Which category do you fall under? To find out, read the full article on our website!

To find out more about how our firm can help you with wealth management, read more about the services we offer!


No matter what your level of wealth is, it would be worthwhile to sit down with a financial planner and determine a plan to grow, protect, and utilize your wealth before, and after retirement!

At Imber Wealth Advisors, we know that wealth management can be complicated. We want to help you balance your money and your life, so you can have the retirement you’ve always wanted! Our team treats you like family, and we will get to know you personally as we help you plan for retirement. To learn more, contact us today!

What Does Wealth Management Mean for You?

Are you trying to save for retirement?

Are you looking for new investment strategies, new retirement income strategies, and new ways to bolster your nest egg for retirement?

Wealth management can mean different things for different people, and often varies based on the services or products that an individual or firm offers. Similarly, the definition of “wealth” varies between people.

To find out the best wealth management strategy for you, talk to a financial planner! At Imber Wealth Advisors, our family-focused team will get to know you personally so we can help you plan your perfect retirement.

To learn more about wealth management and how we can help, visit our website.