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While the headline index reading continues to indicate middle market conditions are robust, the forward-looking Middle Market Business Index (MMBI) subindices imply that inflationary pressures and a tight labor market may in part account for reduced enthusiasm and uncertainty heading into 2019. Clouds are forming on the horizon related to declining fiscal outlays later in 2019, inflationary pressures, and an uncertain outlook for tariffs and trade policy. As operating margins become tighter, companies are evaluating their ability to pass through cost increases to their customers.

Whether it’s dealing with a growing number of regulations or shoring up data privacy measures in response to heightened scrutiny, the tech industry is facing both opportunities and challenges as companies decide on how to scale sustainably without sacrificing their business goals and ambitions. How they respond will dictate its fate in the years to come. Here are 10 trends that will likely shape tech in 2019 and beyond.

Cyber-attacks are increasing in sophistication and magnitude of impact across all industries globally and can negatively impact a company's reputation and market value. Thus, all companies need to fully understand the value of the information assets they possess, the cybersecurity related risk of a data breach, and then factor the benefits and risk variables into their respective business equation. Spending thousands of dollars on some or all of the key cybersecurity recommendations would significantly reduce the impact of a data breach, thus saving millions of dollars.

The U.S. is currently at an inflection point economically and culturally with the advent of new technologies and an anxiety on the part of those who fear a future that they can’t quite envision fully with themselves in it. Gordon Fowler, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, and Jon Meacham, presidential historian, engage in a dialogue about how the history of America provides context and insights into current events in the U.S. and across the world.

The Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives, and the Republicans added to their majority in the Senate. The prospect of a divided Congress, especially in the current hyper-partisan era, is likely to mean very little new legislation enacted in the next two years. Legislative gridlock is generally considered a positive for markets, since it reduces uncertainty. Nonetheless, the Trump administration’s unconventional approach to governing is likely to keep things interesting.

A hot U.S.

It’s the giving season—a time of joy, wonder, togetherness, and sharing. For Kimberly Myers-Hewlett, it is also a special time that brings her back to her philanthropic roots that began with her parents teaching her brother and her the meaning of caring for others. Learning from her parents and their generous nature, Kimberly tries to be a good role model for her children. Watch the short video to hear how Kimberly and her husband are cultivating compassion and nurturing the innate spirit of generosity in their young children.

The Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service has issued initial proposed regulations and instructions for investments in qualified opportunity funds (“QOF”), a program designed to incentive the reallocation of capital to designated low-income census tracts. This long-anticipated guidance is expected to allow investors, business owners, real estate developers, and fund managers to be able to confidently seize the powerful tax deferral, reduction, and exclusion benefits provided by the QOF program.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created new incentives for investment into certain communities throughout the United States that have been designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) by the U.S. Treasury Department. Investors can take advantage of the statute’s unique opportunity for deferral and exclusion of capital gains taxes by investing in designated distressed communities or QOZs. In doing so, it is important to know the mechanics of investing in QOZs via Qualified Opportunity Funds, along with the risks that come with the opportunity.

What choices do you have when it comes to transparency? How open and accessible is your family foundation—to the extended family, to grant seekers and partners, to the public? What approach do your colleague foundations take, and why? This guide examines how family funders are thinking, acting—and not acting—when it comes to how transparent they are with others. It encourages donors, boards, and staff of family foundations (and other giving vehicles) to purposefully consider your choices regarding transparency in grantmaking, governance, and operations.