While the headlines around rising COVID cases in the U.S. (and Europe) seem grim, the market has so far rewarded investors with the recent vaccine news from Pfizer and Moderna.

Besides the end of this year being the much awaited “end of the year”, your work and planning are not quite done. If you are like most of us, you tend to push a lot of charitable giving into December, maximizing your tax deductions. December is hailed by many nonprofit organizations as a great month, because of the influx of donations they often see. But should December really be an afterthought for your philanthropy? 

While we are still waiting for the results of the 2020 election, changes in presidential administrations have rarely led to material fundamental changes in how the U.S. economy works in the long run. While not certain, it appears there is a greater possibility of a split control of Congress regardless of the outcome of the presidential race. The S&P 500 index rallied 2.2% yesterday on the view that “gridlock is good.”