Bigger and Better: Growth at Brighton Securities
Published November 11, 2011 7286 Views
Brighton Securities has been focused on growth; we're renovating our Brighton office to add 30% more space and even added jobs throughout the recession.
Part of that strategy has been to recruit professionals in other industries and coach them to be great advisors.
Yesterday, The Brighton Pitt...
The Economics of Bank Transfer Day
Published November 8, 2011 6684 Views
In Late September Bank of America announced they would levy a $5 monthly fee for certain debit card users. A month later, they dropped that idea after much huffing and puffing by the media. It seems some consumers were upset to have to pay more, and around 60,000 of them pledged on Facebook to chang...
BSC in the News
Published November 8, 2011 7333 Views
Brighton Securities was quoted yesterday in the Christian Science Monitor. The article discusses the impact of bank transfer day last weekend. George has been discussing the movement with Rochesterians on his twitter feed (@gtconboy)where you can join him with your questions or observations.
Alexa...
Capital confusion...
Published November 4, 2011 7111 Views
Just when you thought your tax return could not get any more complex...
Guess what? Reporting your capital gains and losses is going to get a lot more complicated. You may be filling out up to four forms, a schedule D plus up to three Form 8949's. New basis reporting rules went into effect this y...
Social Security changes for 2012
Published November 4, 2011 6609 Views
As I had mentioned in a previous blog post Social Security benefits will be going up 3.6% in 2012, the first hike in two years. Here are some other changes for 2012:
The Social Security wage base will jump to $110,100 (a $3,300 increase).
In 2011 the Social Security tax rate on employees was lower...
Kodak's Next 60 Days
Published November 3, 2011 6712 Views
Today Eastman Kodak reported third quarter financial results. It comes I'm sure as no surprise that once again Kodak lost money on their operating businesses - $220 million over the last 90 days. Losses were bad enough, but all eyes were on the cash balance: $862 million, down from $957 at June 30....
Rochester's Luck
Published October 31, 2011 6633 Views
That might seem like a sarcastic title, but I don't mean it that way. Weather is a great example. We just enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend, great for driving through the Finger Lakes to see the foliage, or getting a gallon of fresh pressed cider. For last-minute shoppers, plenty of pumpkins were ava...
Could Be Time for a Fall Harvest
Published October 26, 2011 6648 Views
Toward the end of the year we frequently hear financial advisors talk about "harvesting" capital losses (or gains). Investors who have realized gains (or losses) may want to off-set them before the end of the tax year. This year there are some additional considerations, especially for lower income...
Occupy State Street?
Published October 24, 2011 6770 Views
I can't always understand just what it is the Occupy Wall Street protesters want. The New York Times had a piece last week that suggests the protesters themselves aren't always sure. I have some suggestions, few of which would be well received and none of which will be listed here, since no doubt th...
Kodak vs. Collins Ink
Published October 21, 2011 6797 Views
Earlier this month Collins Ink, supplier of ink for Kodak's high speed Versamark printers, cancelled their supply agreement. Collins cited Kodak's recent credit rating downgrade, and it reasonable for any Kodak creditor to be a little nervous about getting paid. It could also be that Collins may vie...