The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially kicked off the 2023 tax filing season and has begun accepting and processing tax returns for tax year 2022 as of January 23, 2023. With tax season underway, there are a few things to think about as you compile your tax documents and get your tax affairs in order. Read More›

Global equities and bonds rose in the fourth quarter of 2022, closing out the worst year in more than a decade. The fourth quarter rally across risk assets was driven by sentiment that inflation has peaked and is decelerating, and thus the Fed's historic tightening campaign may soon be coming to an end. The rebound in markets was also supported by ... Read More›

“It’s almost like people are trying to project forward toward the end the Fed tightening policy and trying to find a bottom here and a new bull-market rally,” said Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer of First American Trust. “But that’s in light of deteriorating economic statistics and I think that’s a little premature.” Read More›

“How long can the consumer stay strong in light of this monetary policy? said Jerry Braakman, president and chief investment officer of First American Trust in California." Read more about why investors are concerned about the stronger-than-anticipated U.S. economic data in this Wall Street Journal article. Read More›

Jerry Braakman, President and Chief Investment Officer, and Jason Nerio, Director of Investment Research & Strategy share their insight on current business cycles and market trends. Watch this video to learn more about the following topics: Read More›

After the worst first-half performance for markets in almost 50 years, the third quarter of 2022 got off to a strong start driven by a “peak inflation” and “peak Fed hawkishness” narrative. Stocks and bonds rallied in tandem throughout July and into August, boosted by second quarter earnings that were “not as bad as feared” and the perceived shift ... Read More›

Housing market potential sagged to its lowest point since May 2020 in September, falling 3.6 percent from August to an estimated 5.38 million at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR). Year over year, the market potential for existing-home sales is down 16.7 percent. Market dynamics and the broader economic outlook have changed dramatically ... Read More›

“When you look at bear markets and economic turmoil, markets get a little bit irrational, and sometimes do the opposite of what you expect,” Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer and president of First American Trust, said in an interview.” Learn more about the recent volatility roiling the markets in this Yahoo article. Read More›

“A lot of investors are looking at inflation to get guidance on what the Fed is going to do, to find the bottom in the market once the Fed pivots,” Jerry Braakman, chief investment officer and president of First American Trust..." Read more about how US stocks fell in reaction to a University of Michigan report in this Bloomberg article. Read More›

We’re looking forward to connecting with you at the 2022 ALTA ONE conference October 11-14 in San Diego, CA. Read More›

Jerry Braakman, president and chief investment officer of First American Trust in Santa Ana, Calif., said he is seeking safety in the U.S. Treasury bonds, cash and defensive stock sectors this year. He isn’t looking to add to his international equity exposure, such as in emerging markets, China, Japan and Europe in the near term, he added. Read ... Read More›

“They’re not so concerned about heading into a recession as they are in combating inflation—so that makes for a very dangerous setup,” said Jerry Braakman, president and chief investment officer of First American Trust in Santa Ana, California.” Read more about the anticipated interest-rate increases following Federal Chairman Jerome Powell’s ... Read More›