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The fundamentals of CLO investing are largely unchanged since the earliest days of the market. Analysts must still make judgments about the three key components of any CLO: portfolio, structure, and manager. Each of these components presents a complex mix of risk and value that must then be evaluated holistically—in aggregate. When investing in CLOs, it is best to follow a rigorous process and framework that allows for consistency while also adapting to different investment strategies and market conditions.

Both New York State and New York City have recently passed a series of laws that significantly increased the protections against sexual harassment in the workplace. These laws outline additional and specific requirements—including the adoption of anti-sexual harassment policies and training—that employers must comply with over the next year.

As the office of the controller becomes ever more strategic—creating higher levels of financial visibility to help drive growth and profitability—the financial organization’s relationship to the controller role must evolve as well.

In order to sustain their businesses for the long term, successful business owners tend to be thoughtful in their investments. They act like chess masters, deciding their next five moves in order to maintain a competitive edge and stay in the game. Yet throughout this business cycle, the RSM US Middle Market Business Index has shown that middle market leaders have been slow to increase capital expenditures, despite incentives provided in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This is concerning in light of today’s rapid pace of business transformation.

With the passage of the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a significant opportunity exists for investors to defer capital gains tax owed via the establishment of the newly created Federal Opportunity Zones (the “O-Zones”). By investing in Qualified Opportunity Funds, investors can defer tax on capital gains that arose in the last 180 days or prospectively in 2018 and future years.

Incentive trusts are typically defined as trusts with provisions to encourage or discourage certain types of behavior and promote family values. Despite their appeal, they remain underutilized. One of the key reasons for this is that they’re somewhat impractical when used with traditional types of trust administration. Rather than relying on one-stop shopping full service or delegated trustees, the best incentive trusts generally require several family members and trusted family advisors to act as distribution fiduciaries, advisors, and mentors.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) brought extensive changes and a need to contemplate the doubling of the federal exemption from $5.6 million to $11.2 million for the estate, gift and GST taxes, along with planning for the sunset of the increased exemption amounts on December 31, 2025. Planners should also factor in the Federal Reserve trend to raise interest rates and how international families continue to establish trusts in the United States at a record pace. These trends provide advisors and planners powerful opportunities in 2018 and beyond.

Three converging trends—including a shift from negative to positive screening—are making it easier for investors to implement impact investment programs that deliver competitive returns.

Artwork, along with other types of assets, can be used as collateral for a loan to purchase property, invest in a business, or to buy more art. There are no limitations on the use of the proceeds. But before enlisting your art collection and other high-value assets to help secure the financing for a big purchase, there are a few things to consider, including appraisals and due diligence.

Whether it be a family member, trusted friend, or professional advisor, whom you pick as a trustee matters. An ideal trustee will follow through on the objectives outlined during your lifetime, your spouse’s lifetime, and through the trust’s ultimate disposition. When choosing the right trustee, it is important to explore the key criteria to help make this difficult but important decision.