Insights

We are writing with an important update regarding changes to the filing deadline for 2020 tax returns.

Bitcoin is a virtual, digital currency (“cryptocurrency”) invented in 2008 by an unknown person or group (under the alias of Satoshi Nakamoto). Supply is fixed at 21 million “coins” that can be sent from one owner to another without central bank or single administrator involvement. Bitcoin transactions are recorded and kept on a transparent, decentralized, and peer-to-peer network, which was developed and is available to all via open-source software. “Blockchain” is the technology underpinning the distributed ledger where all bitcoin transactions are recorded. Bitcoin is the largest cryptocurrency, as measured by the dollar value in circulation, of many types of cryptocurrencies developed using blockchain technology.

Howland Capital is not involved, and has no intention of taking any action, in any of these activities. Recent market unrest involves individual (“retail”) investors organizing on platforms such as Reddit and trading on platforms like Robinhood to buy shares and speculate in stock options in a coordinated fashion. This activity has resulted in unusual volatility in a number of specific stocks. The common thread among the stocks making headlines is that they are all heavily “shorted” by professional investors. In other words, hedge funds are betting against, or “shorting” these stocks because the fund managers, using fundamental research, have high conviction the stocks will fall in value.

Short-term interest rates remain close to zero, while the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note yield hovers around 1%. With inflation running about 1.6%, “real” returns on government debt turned negative as the coupon income remains below expected future price increases. It is an odd investment dynamic, but with some $18 trillion of sovereign debt outside the U.S. offering negative absolute yields, U.S. Treasury bonds remain the safe and stable choice for many.

In early December, the IRS Commissioner announced that there are still approximately 6.8 million returns in process, more than one million unprocessed returns and three million pieces of unopened mail.

...the “Wall of Worry” we wrote about in last quarter’s Economic & Market Commentary. In the U.S., the S&P 500 Index increased 12% (price appreciation plus dividends) during the quarter, rising 68% from the March 23rd low. For the year, the index returned 18.4%, which is 11% above the February 19th, pre-pandemic high of 3,394. These results are phenomenal on a stand-alone basis, but even more pronounced in light of the S&P 500’s 31.5% return in 2019.

Major economies around the globe contracted sharply in March as the pandemic worsened, leading to a sudden drop in output and sharp rise in unemployment. It seemed the world stood still in March as we entered lockdown at home and abroad. As we turn the page on a difficult year, we look ahead to a brighter future. As always, risk and uncertainty remain, yet we have high confidence that the most challenging days are behind us and that the nascent recovery will continue in the year ahead.

All Hallows' Eve," aka Halloween, is a celebration observed in many countries on the 31st of October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

The IRS has struggled to address the problem of tens of millions of pieces of unopened correspondence, including payments. As a result of the backlog of mail that accumulated over spring and summer (unopened mail was estimated to number 12 million items), millions of taxpayers received balance due notices from the IRS. The IRS announced in August that it had suspended sending certain balance-due notices to taxpayers while it continued to process its backlog of unopened mail, which may, in some cases, contain the sought payments.

Howland Capital can help you make the greatest impact with your charitable gifts of cash or appreciated stock. With so many worthy organizations out there, we know it can be tough to decide. Kate Grundy, VP of Foundation Services, offers her suggestions for how to make the most impact with your charitable donations this year.

After many months of gathering virtually, members of the Howland team recently came together at Duxbury Beach Park and pitched in for an afternoon of cleanup at this beautiful reservation.