July 18, 2025
WEEKLY TOUCHPOINT
Alternative investments such as private equity, private debt, and venture capital have gained momentum as investors seek greater diversification, inflation protection, and early access to disruptive technologies. Once reserved for institutions and the ultra-wealthy, these opportunities are now more widely available through accessible vehicles like interval funds, tender offer funds, business development companies (BDCs), and registered private market funds. These options allow investors to participate in private markets while offering varying degrees of liquidity and transparency. The potential benefits—higher returns, lower correlation to public equities, and access to innovation—are compelling, but they come with trade-offs, including limited liquidity, complex structures, and longer time horizons. As these vehicles become more mainstream, it’s essential to evaluate how they fit into your overall wealth strategy.
If you’re curious about how alternative investments could enhance your portfolio, now is the time to explore your options—speak with your advisor to determine what makes sense for your goals and risk profile.
NEWS
-
Inflation Data and Bank Earnings Kick Off a Crucial Test for Markets
-
Bitcoin Tops $120,000 With Congress Poised to Consider Key Crypto Bills
- What’s inside the new tax act?
- JP Morgan: Eye on the Market
Wealth Mechanics™
What Issues Should I Consider When Purchasing A Life Insurance Policy?
Life insurance is key to comprehensive financial planning, whether it serves a traditional risk management function or is put to another use. In the course of a client relationship, you will likely analyze the need to purchase a new life insurance policy at several points. This can be of particular importance with new clients who may be uninsured or underinsured and need to protect their loved ones.
To help guide our clients through an introductory life insurance conversation, we have created this checklist. It covers key considerations, including:
- Purpose of coverage
- Appropriate amount of coverage
- Types of policies
- Rider options
Lastly, our firm uses several life insurance calculations to help clients determine appropriate coverage levels.
- The Human Life Value method estimates the present value of future income a person is expected to earn, providing a ceiling for economic loss replacement.
- The Needs Analysis approach calculates the precise amount of insurance required by assessing immediate expenses (like debt and funeral costs), ongoing income needs, and future financial goals such as education funding.
- The Capital Retention method ensures the death benefit is large enough that the principal remains intact while generating income for survivors.
Each method offers a different lens depending on whether the goal is income replacement, family support, or legacy preservation.
DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST
MARKET COMMENTARY
Equities: Stocks marched to new record highs, thanks to robust earnings and upbeat economic signals:
-
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit all-time highs, with 83% of early S&P 500 reporters beating EPS estimates—well above historical averages.
-
Earnings growth came in hot at 5.6%, led by strength in Financials, while Health Care dragged slightly.
-
Large-cap and growth stocks stole the spotlight, outpacing small- and mid-caps and value names.
-
Tech, utilities, industrials, and financials led sector gains; energy lagged as oil prices slipped.
-
International markets were mixed—developed markets dipped, but emerging markets surged ahead.
Bonds: Mixed movements across the bond market, but a mild tilt toward credit:
-
Short-term Treasury yields dipped while the 10-year nudged higher, widening the yield curve spread to 0.56%.
-
Short-duration bonds held up better than their longer-term counterparts.
-
Corporate bonds outshined Treasuries as credit spreads narrowed, especially in high-yield space.
-
Yields fell to 5.12% for investment-grade and 7.38% for high-yield corporates.
Macroeconomic Data: Data came in warmer than expected, but not hot enough to force the Fed’s hand:
-
Core CPI rose 0.2% in June—marking the fifth straight month under forecast—while annual core inflation sits at 2.9%.
-
Producer prices were flat, offering relief on input costs.
-
Retail sales rebounded with a strong 0.6% monthly gain, boosted by autos, clothing, and home improvement.
-
Housing starts and permits ticked up slightly but remain historically soft.
-
Fed rate cut expectations are on ice for now, despite some cooler inflation signals.
INDEX RETURNS
(as of Monday’s Market Opening)
| Total Return (1D) | Total Return (1W) | Total Return (MTD) | Total Return (QTD) | Total Return (YTD) | |
| S&P 500 | 0.64% | 1.10% | 2.13% | 2.13% | 7.75% |
| Dow Jones Industrial Average | 0.44% | 0.17% | 1.00% | 1.00% | 4.68% |
| NASDAQ | 0.84% | 2.08% | 3.44% | 3.44% | 9.11% |
| NASDAQ 100 | 0.99% | 1.91% | 2.71% | 2.71% | 10.85% |
| Russell 1000 | 0.01% | 0.70% | 1.60% | 1.60% | 7.82% |
| Russell 2000 | 0.91% | 0.47% | 3.92% | 3.92% | 1.35% |
| Russell 3000 | 0.60% | 1.30% | 2.34% | 2.34% | 8.03% |
| ACWI | 0.66% | 1.09% | 1.56% | 1.56% | 12.02% |
Source: MorningStar
Global Client Survey
We’re inviting you to take part in a quick ananymous client survey. Your feedback helps us fine-tune our process, elevate your experience, and ensure we’re delivering what matters most to you. This isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about shaping the future of how we serve you. Your voice helps guide our next steps. We’re listening. We’re learning. And we’re grateful for your trust.
Take Our Survey Now (click here)
Disclosures
- Wealth Mechanics™ is a registered trademark of Cestia Wealth Management. Unauthorized use of the trademark, including but not limited to commercial use, reproduction, or imitation without explicit written permission from Cestia Wealth Management, is strictly prohibited.
- Market commentary provided by NewEdge Advisors
- Charts concerning market data are provided by Exhibit A.
- Guides and other downloadable firm material respective to financial planning processes and data are provided and powered by fpPathfinder.
- Advisory services offered through NewEdge Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Securities offered through NewEdge Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. NewEdge Advisors, LLC and NewEdge Securities, LLC are wholly owned subsidiaries of NewEdge Capital Group, LLC.
- Cestia Wealth Management is not a legal tax professional. We offer tax gap analysis for clients who desire to have a comprehensive financial plan, which requires in-depth tax strategy and planning as a distinct part of the overall customized solution. Please consult your tax professional on all matters addressed in this report.
- Information about annuities are not to be considered a recommendation. The information provided should not considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security.
- Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information presented here should only be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice.
