June 2025 Planning Tip Surprised by your 2024 tax bill? You're not alone- and it's often not just about how much you earned, but how effectively you planned throughout the year. Many people assume taxes are a once-a-year consideration, but the truth is that small decisions made throughout the year can lead to big surprises come April. That’s why tax planning is a key part of our ongoing client reviews. Here are some common mistakes and missteps we see: Improper Withholdings Withholding too...
29 days ago • 1 min read
ARK ROYAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT Three Charts That Have Our Attention If you are curious about what’s going on in the market or economy, we’d like to share some charts / graphics that we think are insightful. Bouncing Back. Market corrections (declines of 10% to 20%) are a regular part of investing history. On average, the market drops 14% during these periods. Despite the sharp downturns, the average recovery takes just four months, highlighting how quickly markets can rebound once they bottom...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
May 2025 Planning Tip Turning Market Volatility into a Tax Planning Opportunity Market volatility is uncomfortable — but it can also open the door to valuable planning strategies. While most investors see a pullback as a time to retreat, it can actually present a powerful opportunity to reposition assets for long-term advantage. A 10% market decline doesn’t just mean lower portfolio values — it could also mean paying income tax on 10% less money when executing a Roth conversion. Here’s why...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
ARK ROYAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT Three Charts That Have Our Attention If you are curious about what’s going on in the market or economy, we’d like to share some charts / graphics that we think are insightful. State to Country GDP. Ever wondered what country your state’s economy stacks up against? From California rivaling India to Texas flexing like Italy, this map shows just how mighty each U.S. state’s GDP really is. Who knew our home state of North Carolina was basically Taiwan? 60/40 Portfolio...
3 months ago • 1 min read
April 2025 Planning Tip The Real Secret to Investing: Behavior or Brilliance? Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are widely regarded as two of the most successful investors in history. Their wisdom goes far beyond spreadsheets and stock picks—it’s grounded in an understanding of human behavior and long-term discipline. Their advice is simple, but powerful. And it’s especially relevant during periods of market volatility: Be Patient Long-term investing rewards those who can stay the course....
3 months ago • 1 min read
Ark Royal Wealth Management March 2025 Trade Winds Credit: @uncwmenshoops on X Human Interest & Current Events Your favorite snacks are getting a makeover— with growing demand for cleaner ingredients, food companies are scrambling to make sure your guilty pleasures come with slightly less guilt. Austin has become a favorite travel destination, both for business and visiting family. It’s a city that has transformed from sleepy college town to urban metroplex. Texas Monthly has a moving story...
3 months ago • 1 min read
ARK ROYAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT Three Charts That Have Our Attention If you are curious about what’s going on in the market or economy, we’d like to share some charts / graphics that we think are insightful. Tariff Implications. The U.S. trade deficit varies with key trading partners, showing significant imbalances with China, the EU, and Mexico, particularly in machinery, transport equipment, and manufactured goods. Amid trade tensions, investors should prioritize diversification, as trade...
4 months ago • 1 min read
March 2025 Planning Tip Are You Holding Too Much Cash? What to Do with Excess Savings With interest rates near five year highs, many investors are keeping more cash than usual. While earning 4-5% in a high-yield savings account or money market fund feels great, is holding too much cash hurting your long-term financial plan? It's important to balance liquidity with long-term growth to ensure your wealth works for you over time. Why Holding Excess Cash Can Be a Problem While it may feel safe to...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Ark Royal Wealth Management February 2025 Trade Winds Human Interest & Current Events A fascinating story of reuniting a WWII Japanese sword with it’s rightful owner. The historic ocean liner SS United States, renowned for breaking the transatlantic speed record in 1952, is set to be transformed into the world's largest artificial reef off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida. After being docked in Philadelphia for nearly 30 years, the vessel will be towed for preparation before its final...
4 months ago • 1 min read