Raymond James Analysts http://www.raymondjames.com/experts/ A show featuring comments by Raymond James analysts A show featuring Raymond James analysts addressing current topics that could affect your investments and financial plans. Look for our Podcast in the iTunes Music Store and on our website www.raymondjames.com en-us Copyright 2009 Raymond James Financial Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 ET Tim Mulaly Interviews with Raymond James experts. No Raymond James Financial As of January 1, 2010, the federal estate tax and the generation-skipping transfer tax disappeared - but there is considerable confusion regarding the future of these taxes. Congress may alter the current situation sometime during the year, and new rules could be imposed retroactively. In 2011, the old 2001 limits are set to reappear, imposing a $1 million exemption limit and a 55% gift tax rate. But investors should consider new estate planning and gift-giving strategies very carefully, always with legal assistance and in full knowledge that retroactive changes could occur. It is also important to check the formula clauses that attorneys have routinely included in estate plans to determine inheritances. Such clauses assumed the law would always impose limits, so they may not operate as expected in 2010, says Dave Ness, president of Raymond James Trust, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. http://www.raymondjames.com/experts/mp3/PS_Ness_Feb2.mp3 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ET As of January 1, 2010, the federal estate tax and the generation-skipping transfer tax disappeared - but there is considerable confusion regarding the future of these taxes. Congress may alter the current situation sometime during the year, and new rules could be imposed retroactively. In 2011, the old 2001 limits are set to reappear, imposing a $1 million exemption limit and a 55% gift tax rate. But investors should consider new estate planning and gift-giving strategies very carefully, always with legal assistance and in full knowledge that retroactive changes could occur. It is also important to check the formula clauses that attorneys have routinely included in estate plans to determine inheritances. Such clauses assumed the law would always impose limits, so they may not operate as expected in 2010, says Dave Ness, president of Raymond James Trust, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. 12:54 Raymond James, David Ness, Unusual Risks, Estate Tax Strategies Raymond James Financial The shift from analog movies - moving images projected through film physically delivered to a theater - to the digital model (which, essentially, means sending a computer file) is just one reason for investors to take an interest in the prospective growth of the cinema industry. Another is the phenomenal growth of digital 3-D, the success of which has been demonstrated by such films as Avatar, Monsters vs. Aliens, Up and Ice Age. This new growth spurt is to a large extent being subsidized by movie studios eager to switch to the less expensive model by supporting conversions. When one theater chain converted to digital two years ago at approximately $60,000 per screen, the studios picked up 90% of the cost, says Joe Hovorka, Raymond James' entertainment and leisure industry analyst, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. http://www.raymondjames.com/experts/mp3/PS_Hovorka_Jan25.mp3 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 ET The shift from analog movies - moving images projected through film physically delivered to a theater - to the digital model (which, essentially, means sending a computer file) is just one reason for investors to take an interest in the prospective growth of the cinema industry. Another is the phenomenal growth of digital 3-D, the success of which has been demonstrated by such films as Avatar, Monsters vs. Aliens, Up and Ice Age. This new growth spurt is to a large extent being subsidized by movie studios eager to switch to the less expensive model by supporting conversions. When one theater chain converted to digital two years ago at approximately $60,000 per screen, the studios picked up 90% of the cost, says Joe Hovorka, Raymond James' entertainment and leisure industry analyst, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. 12:24 Raymond James, Joe Hovorka, Professionally Speaking, Digital Conversions, 3-D Cinema, Film, Cinema Raymond James Financial Natural gas doesn't fall into the category of renewable energy, but, as a fuel for vehicles, it is plentiful, cheap and cleaner-burning than gasoline or diesel. At the moment, approximately 100,000 U.S. vehicles out of a total of 200 million run on it - just one-half of 1%. Even if this market were to grow by 50% a year over the next decade, natural gas would be fueling only 3% of vehicles by 2020. The individual consumer is probably the wrong focus - few live in a place where they could easily fuel up a natural gas vehicle. It would be easier to sell to commercial and municipal fleets of busses and trucks that often fuel up at a central station, says Pavel Molchanov, Raymond James' energy industry analyst, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. http://www.raymondjames.com/experts/mp3/PS_Pavel_Dec18.mp3 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:00 ET Natural gas doesn't fall into the category of renewable energy, but, as a fuel for vehicles, it is plentiful, cheap and cleaner-burning than gasoline or diesel. At the moment, approximately 100,000 U.S. vehicles out of a total of 200 million run on it - just one-half of 1%. Even if this market were to grow by 50% a year over the next decade, natural gas would be fueling only 3% of vehicles by 2020. The individual consumer is probably the wrong focus - few live in a place where they could easily fuel up a natural gas vehicle. It would be easier to sell to commercial and municipal fleets of busses and trucks that often fuel up at a central station, says Pavel Molchanov, Raymond James' energy industry analyst, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. 9:14 Raymond James, Pavel Molchanov, Professionally Speaking, Natural gas, renewable energy Raymond James Financial No matter how much anyone makes, in 2010 investors saving for retirement will have an opportunity to convert traditional IRAs into Roth IRAs, paying no federal taxes on the transaction until 2011 and 2012.* Before 2010, anyone making $100,000 or more annually couldn't make such conversions. The advantages of the Roth IRA are well known. Because they are funded with after-tax dollars, qualified distributions are tax-free, although unless certain criteria are met, Roth owners must be 59 1/2 or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted. As no withdrawals are actually required, high-net-worth individuals can pass untouched Roth accounts to future generations. Conversion isn't for everyone, including those who expect to be in a lower tax bracket or who would have to use other retirement funds to pay the tax, says Susan Hartman, CFP(R), a tax and estate planning consultant with the firm's Financial Planning Group, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. *The option to spread the federal income taxes over two years applies to 2010 only. For conversions occurring after 2010, the federal income taxes due must be paid in full the following tax year going forward. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion. http://www.raymondjames.com/experts/mp3/PS_Hartman_Aug26.mp3 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:00:00 ET No matter how much anyone makes, in 2010 investors saving for retirement will have an opportunity to convert traditional IRAs into Roth IRAs, paying no federal taxes on the transaction until 2011 and 2012.* Before 2010, anyone making $100,000 or more annually couldn't make such conversions. The advantages of the Roth IRA are well known. Because they are funded with after-tax dollars, qualified distributions are tax-free, although unless certain criteria are met, Roth owners must be 59 1/2 or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted. As no withdrawals are actually required, high-net-worth individuals can pass untouched Roth accounts to future generations. Conversion isn't for everyone, including those who expect to be in a lower tax bracket or who would have to use other retirement funds to pay the tax, says Susan Hartman, CFP(R), a tax and estate planning consultant with the firm's Financial Planning Group, in this edition of Professionally Speaking, hosted by Larry Pugliese. *The option to spread the federal income taxes over two years applies to 2010 only. For conversions occurring after 2010, the federal income taxes due must be paid in full the following tax year going forward. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion. 7:22 Raymond James, Susan Hartman, Professionally Speaking, Roth IRA, 2010