Author: James Cox

James' firm, Devon Financial Partners, LLC, is an agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®. Devon Financial Partners was founded on the principles of integrity, financial skill and commitment to uncompromising client service. We help our clients achieve optimal financial balance by addressing the underlying risk in their current financial plans. Devon Financial Partners has brought together specialists from leading regional firms to address the unique needs of our clientele. Guardian® is a 155-year-old mutual company, which means it is owned by its policyholders. As owners, policyholders share in Guardian’s actual financial results through annual dividends. Guardian has paid dividends to policyholders every year since 1868. Being a mutual company allows Guardian to invest for the future with the collective interests of all of our stakeholders in mind. The company’s focus is always on its customers and building a strong financial foundation that will serve them well today and into the future. Guardian Life is rated A++ by A.M. Guardian has received exemplary ratings from the major rating organizations. Contact information: Devon Financial Partners, 744 West Lancaster Av, Suite 235 Wayne, PA 19087 Phone 610-293-8300, Cell 215 768 5883 Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities, LLC (PAS), 7 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004. Securities products/services and advisory services offered through PAS, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, (888) 600-4667. Financial Representative, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Devon Financial Partners, LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of Guardian. PAS is a member of FINRA, SIPC. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents or employees do not give tax or legal advice. You should consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your individual situation. Dividends are not guaranteed. They are declared annually by Guardian’s Board of Directors. Financial information concerning The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America as of December 31, 2014 on a statutory basis: Admitted Assets = $45.3 Billion; Liabilities = $39.6 Billion (including $34.9 Billion of Reserves); and Surplus = $5.7 Billion. GEAR no. 2015-11608 Exp 10/17

health, life insurance, new economy, protection

Job Change, Group Life Insurance and Russian Roulette

November 5, 2019November 5, 2019 James Cox

In the United States, there is a huge number of households which are unprotected or under protected by Life Insurance. In a recent LIMRA study 7 in 10 households believe would be in serious financial distress if an adult in the household passed away. (1)

37 million households have no life insurance.
Another 33 million households do not have sufficient life insurance to count themselves as protected.

One vehicle that many people rely upon for protection is Group Life Insurance. When offered as a company benefit, it can inexpensively provide protection for many people… but it only does so while the insured works for the company.

Currently, 1 in 5 people are only covered by Group Life Insurance.

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economy, income, interest rates, retirement, risk management, Taxes

Trick or Treat? Revisiting The Potential Downside of Tax Reform for Investors

October 31, 2019October 31, 2019 James Cox

_{There is an old story that goes “beware what you wish for…” Things don’t always turn out as expected. Two years ago the President proposed and Congress approved a huge tax cut plan… the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The results have been controversial.}

_{Along those lines I watched a fascinating interview of Tom Lee, head of research at Fundstrat, on Bloomberg two years ago. His insight proved very valuable and accurate. (1)}

_{His feeling is that a Tax cut, as it was being discussed, could be negative for investors long term. “There’s two reasons; First, when cutting tax rate you raise the after tax cost of debt. Leverage becomes a problem for a lot of businesses. Second, because you are cutting tax rates you are effectively giving cash to all businesses, even businesses where you want to reduce allocation.“}

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economy, income, interest rates, retirement, risk management

Economic Fears and Managing Risks

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019 James Cox

The economy continues to slow and is having an effect on markets. Incoming ECB President Christine Lagarde stated the US trade war with China has “dented global economic growth.”

“You can’t adjust to the unknown. So, what do you do? You build buffers. You build savings. You wonder what comes next. That’s not propitious to economic development,” said Lagarde.

“It means less investment, less jobs, more unemployment, reduced growth. So of course, it has an impact,” she said.

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economy, income, retirement, risk management

Investing with Stocks at Record Levels

October 10, 2019October 10, 2019 James Cox

I have talked to many clients. I have read and listened to many economists and Chief Investment Officers who are nervous about investing hard earned savings when markets and indexes are making new highs.

Many people feel the market is “due for a correction”; they worry about a “bubble bursting like 2008”; they look at the political environment and feel confused by what is happening in Washington DC.

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economy, income, interest rates, retirement, risk management

Recession Risks Rise

October 3, 2019October 3, 2019 James Cox

In a recent presentation to investors, Doubleline CEO Jeffery Gunlach stated he sees a 75% chance of a recession by 2020. (1)

Many signs are popping up that point in the same direction.

In August 2019 the yield curve inverted. (2) An inverted yield curve is seen within the financial industry as a reliable leading indicator for recessions.

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health, life insurance, protection

How will your family survive?

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 James Cox

My cousin recently died from a heart attack.

He was 48 years old. He left behind a wife and two teenage children. Their plans for the future were shattered and his family is left to pick up the pieces.

My son was born when I was 30 years old. Honestly, I didn’t get life insurance until I was 36. I had never been taught the importance of using Life Insurance to manage risk and protect your family. Recent studies show that I’m not alone. There is a huge gap in the level of financial literacy in the United States.

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charitable giving, life insurance

Creating Social Impact Through Giving

September 16, 2019September 16, 2019 James Cox

Every day millions are helped to improve their lives due to the generosity of others. As a community we each have a stake in the success of every individual, every family. Many organizations that make massive positive contributions are struggling due to cutbacks in government supports.

We as stakeholders in American society have a responsibility to give back and help those less fortunate. A recent example of this ethos:

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economy, entrepreneurship, new economy

“Morning in America…”

September 9, 2019September 9, 2019 James Cox

I was driving into work today and a Chevy Volt sped by me. Yesterday a Fisker Karma was parked in front of my office. In Q2 of 2019 Tesla produced over 72,000 cars, including the mass production version Model3.

Technology is bringing a renaissance to American manufacturing. (1) New industries and new job descriptions are being created, even as “old economy” jobs become antiquated and outsourced to robots. (2)

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economy, new economy, risk management

Management Flaws in Corporate America

August 29, 2019August 29, 2019 James Cox

The most recent rounds of corporate earnings reports for retail companies has by and large been very disappointing. Many companies are struggling to survive in an environment dominated by a few large ecommerce companies. (1)

Disappointing earnings have resulted in lowered outlooks and fallen stock prices of many retail companies. (2)

I recently had the opportunity to talk to several people who work in corporate America, particularly retail. What I learned is scary.

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Climate change, economy, environment, ESG, retirement, risk management, Socially Responsible Investing, SRI

Divestment From Fossil Fuels Gathers Steam

August 20, 2019August 20, 2019 James Cox

As an investor in todays economy, you have a say in what companies you invest in and support. By investing in a company, you are effectively voting with your dollars.

By the same token, as an investor you also have the right to the purposefully refuse to invest in a specific company or industry. Perhaps you disagree with their business model or you oppose the negative impacts they are having on society. This act of withholding investment is at the core of “Divestment”.

Without access to capital markets, fossil fuel companies cannot finance their operations. As fewer buyers come in to buy shares of fossil fuel companies, the potential value of these companies decline.

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