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Up moderately, the real GDP grew at an annualized rate of 3.1% in the first quarter of 2019 in the U.S. The increase reflected greater inventory buildup and exports pulled forward amid tariff fears. Forecasts for the second quarter were measurably lower, with consensus between 1.5% and 2.0%. Labor conditions remain strong while consumer confidence has trended down. Outside the U.S., the European economy continues to show signs of weakness. The U.S.-China relations goes beyond unresolved trade and tariff issues.

Recent legislation and changing public opinion has led to the birth of an exciting, fast-growth new industry: cannabis. Companies eager to capitalize on the trend toward legalization are moving quickly to establish a toehold in an industry that is expected to generate explosive growth in coming years. At the same time, investors considering ways to participate in this growth are faced with a unique set of challenges.

The spectacular decline in global interest rates, both here and abroad, has been viewed as a necessary tonic to reinvigorate the sluggish global economy. But will a sharp reduction in short-term interest rates engineered by the Fed result in a new economic boom and a powerful rally in stock prices? Or is the experience of the European and Japanese economies more likely, in which negative yields on sovereign bonds have failed so far to generate a sustainable pickup in economic growth?

Given the existence of low or even negative yields, investors are increasingly focused on finding sources of incremental income. The recent inversion of the U.S. Treasury curve has heightened concern about a potential economic recession. Historical market performance following previous yield curve inversions is a limited and imprecise prediction tool.

As parents, you hope your kids will become safe and courteous drivers. But, it will not happen on its own. Learn the 10 things you can do to help them become safe drivers.

As more and more investors look to implement impact investment strategies, interesting questions are being raised in the context of impact investing by fiduciaries appointed to administer a trust for beneficiaries. Suppose the beneficiary of a multi-generational, non-charitable trust is interested in integrating her values in a trust established for her benefit. How should a trustee determine if the request is consistent with the trustee’s duties under the Prudent Investor Rule?

The financial damages of cyber crime are projected to reach $6 trillion annually by 2021—more than double those same figures from 2015. That’s why it’s important to not only stay on top of the latest trends in the cyber security industry, but to also stay ahead of them. In this issue of Cyber InFocus, you will learn about the Biometeric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and iEncrypt.

With private investments experiencing a renaissance, now is an opportune time to assess the factors shaping the current landscape, debunk misconceptions about the asset class, and evaluate the benefits and boundaries of private investing.

Interest in sustainable investing is growing each day as wealth owners, families, and family office professionals start down the path of sustainability investing. This paper details the typical path these investors take, the questions many of them face, and the way many of them successfully develop a winning strategy that generates both returns and impact.

As with any important undertaking, the first steps are critical. Nowhere is this truer than when building a second home. Failing to make the right moves early often spells disaster. You can avoid the headaches and build the home of your dreams more easily than you might think. Follow the five essential steps—including assembling the right team—to begin an effective process, and to ensure the creation of a second home you will treasure.