Insights

Recent tax law changes could alter the value of charitable giving for many taxpayers. While non-itemizers may benefit from a new deduction opportunity, itemizers, particularly higher-income households, should be aware of additional limitations that may reduce the tax benefit of their charitable contributions. 

The U.S. yield curve experienced a significant "bear flattening" in the final two months of the third quarter. A bear flattening move in the curve is characterized by increasing yields across the board, with the short-end rising faster than the long-end. As a reminder, when bond yields go up, bond prices go down. The 10-year Treasury yield now sits above 5%, levels we have not seen since 2007. 

The U.S. economy spent the third quarter doing two things at once: growing faster than most forecasters expected and generating more inflation than most people wanted. The second of those prompted the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in September for the first time in more than three years, a move that would have seemed far-fetched when the year began. 

Art in Bloom turned 50 this spring—and we were honored to be part of the celebration. For half a century, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts has invited some of New England's talented garden clubs, designers, and floral artists to transform masterpieces into living arrangements. It's one of those rare events that feels both timeless and entirely fresh each year. Every flower, every stem, every arrangement tells a story.

Cameron was back on the courts this spring for the SquashBusters Derby—and like last year, it was a reminder of why Howland Capital stays committed to this organization. SquashBusters isn’t just about squash. It’s about a student sitting down with a tutor and working through a challenging subject. It’s about young athletes building discipline, resilience, and the habit of showing up. It’s about pathways opening where they might not have existed before.

Earning a college degree is an exciting accomplishment that also brings new beginnings. A first job, a new place to live, and an independent financial life may all be in store. How can you set yourself up for success? Here are our top financial tips for college graduates.

At Howland Capital, we believe that our greatest asset is our people. We are committed to fostering an environment where talent is recognized and career growth is encouraged. In that spirit, we are pleased to announce the promotions of Gianni Reid and Evan Pennoyer. 

It’s hard to believe, but in a few short weeks, students will be graduating from high school or returning home from college to spend the summer with their families. In between summer jobs and vacations, the summer is a great opportunity to have important conversations with children about their own financial and estate planning.  

When we entered the new year, the market widely anticipated a continuation of the Federal Reserve’s easing cycle (i.e. interest rate cuts) in 2026. Given the recent escalation in the Middle East, the interest rate path for 2026 has become less clear. Consensus in the market now calls for zero interest rate cuts this year – a reduction from the two rate cuts anticipated at the start of the year.

After a relentless multi-year push higher, stocks pulled back in the first quarter, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq index even reaching correction territory (down more than 10% from its peak). Though we are still in the early innings of the development and rollout of artificial intelligence, soaring capital expenditure forecasts for the mega cap tech players have called into question the timing and magnitude of the returns that leading tech companies will ultimately realize on their investments.