Get Started
Client Login

Insights from Griffin Black

Market wisdom and financial perspective for those who seek clarity. Read our latest analysis on wealth building, investment strategy, and planning for what matters most.
A hand holds a puzzle piece labeled "Market Volatility" over a financial chart showing fluctuating candlestick patterns.
  • My Money & Me
4 min read

Steady Wins: The Hidden Advantage of Value-Driven Portfolios

Does taking on more risk actually improve long‑term returns? To examine how varying levels of portfolio volatility can influence long‑term compounding, consider a simple illustration comparing two hypothetical investors under the same set of assumptions.
A nurse with a clipboard speaks to an older woman sitting on a bed in a bright, modern living room.
  • Financial Planning, Retirement Planning
7 min read

Navigating Medicare: What Retirees Need to Know for Their Financial Plans

Healthcare is often the largest and most unpredictable expense in retirement; it can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars on average. Though funding for healthcare can come from many sources, Medicare is probably the most important one for most retired Americans and is therefore a major consideration in the financial planning process.
A compass with a gold arrow pointing toward the word "INVEST" and a sphere displaying the Indian flag at the center.
  • Indian American
10 min read

GIFT City: Better Than Before, But Is It Really Good for US-based Individual Investors?

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India's first International Financial Services Center, has emerged as a significant development in the country's financial landscape. Positioned as India's answer to global financial hubs like Singapore and Dubai's DIFC, GIFT City has attracted considerable attention from investors, particularly Non-Resident Indians. However, as we examine the structure and offerings more closely, a critical question emerges: does GIFT City truly serve all investor segments equally, or is it primarily beneficial for a select few?
An offshore oil platform at sunset with a red supply vessel nearby on the ocean.
  • Current & Economic Events
7 min read

Special Update: How $100 Oil and the Middle East Conflict Affect Investors

The ongoing conflict in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices sharply higher. Both Brent crude and WTI have jumped from around $70 per barrel to around $100 in just a few days, approaching levels last seen in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. This has driven significant uncertainty across global markets, with headlines mentioning a “global economic downturn,” “stagflation,” and more.
View of Earth from space showing a curved horizon, city lights illuminating the surface, and a faint blue atmosphere against a dark star-filled sky.
  • Current & Economic Events, Investing
6 min read

Special Update: Iran and Long-Term Investing

As you have seen in the news, the U.S. and Israel have launched military strikes against Iran, targeting its leadership, military assets, and nuclear infrastructure. Iran's Supreme Leader is confirmed to have been killed, and Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. The situation is evolving rapidly, and without taking away from the severity of these events, investors will naturally have questions about what this means for markets, oil prices, and their portfolios.
A yellow note labeled "Equity Compensation" with charts, blue and yellow highlighters, and paper clips on a desk.
  • Financial Planning
7 min read

How Equity Compensation Fits into Your Financial Plan

For many professionals today, equity compensation is not just a nice perk; it’s a significant source of wealth accumulation over their careers. Whether through restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, or other forms of company equity, these awards have become increasingly common across industries and job levels.
A magnifying glass focuses on a digital bar chart and line graph with financial data, highlighting a rising trend with a dollar sign.
  • Financial Planning, Investing
6 min read

The Importance of Earnings for Long-Term Portfolios

As the corporate earnings season ramps up, markets are shifting their focus from geopolitical concerns to tangible evidence of how businesses are performing. With the stock market hovering near all-time highs, questions around valuations and the sustainability of recent profitability trends have become increasingly important.
Stacks of gold bars and American silver eagle coins are arranged together, displaying their detailed designs and shiny surfaces.
  • Current & Economic Events, Investing
6 min read

Gold and Silver: Current Portfolio Perspectives

Gold, silver, and other precious metals have rallied over the past two years, capturing considerable investor attention. Gold recently surpassed $5,400 per ounce, only to fall back more recently to under $4,700. This strong performance has lead many investors to consider investing in these assets. As with all investments, however, it's important to understand what has historically driven the price of precious metals versus other assets as well as how they may fit into a durable and well-constructed portfolio.
A calculator, pen, US dollar bills and coins, and various IRS tax forms are displayed on top of an American flag.
  • Financial Planning, Taxes
6 min read

Managing New Tax Changes to Optimize Your Financial Plan

As former Senator Max Baucus once observed, "tax complexity itself is a kind of tax." While this is the case every year, this is especially true in 2026 as many significant tax policy changes create new tax and financial planning opportunities. From new restrictions on retirement catch-up contributions to expanded deduction limits, understanding these tax law changes is essential for making informed decisions in the coming year.
A man and woman sit at a desk with paperwork, smiling and listening to another person who is showing them something on a laptop.
  • Financial Planning, Indian American
8 min read

The Real Value of a Financial Planner

If you've ever wondered whether paying a financial planner is worth it, you're not alone. After all, why pay someone year after year when you could invest in a simple index fund yourself or pay for one-time advice and be done with it? Here's the truth that might surprise you: If you think a financial planner's job is just picking stocks and funds, you're missing about 80% of what they do.
A person wearing a yellow jacket and backpack stands on a hilltop with arms outstretched, overlooking a vast landscape of mountains under a clear sky.
  • Financial Planning, Indian American
3 min read

Financial Planning is About Freedom, Not Fear

Money is a powerful tool, but it's not the ultimate goal. Too often, people get caught up in the cycle of worrying about investments, retirement dates, and market fluctuations. They obsess over spreadsheets and projections, thinking that certainty will bring peace. The truth is simple: life isn't lived in numbers; it's lived in moments.
3D bar graph with labeled years 2024, 2025, and 2026 shows an upward trend, set against a background of financial data and stock market numbers.
  • Current & Economic Events
13 min read

2026 Outlook: 7 Key Themes for Long-Term Investors

Here are seven key themes that can help guide how investors think about the year ahead.

Griffin Black, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser; registration does not imply skill or training. Content is for informational purposes only and is not investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. No client relationship is created by viewing this site. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal; past performance does not guarantee future results. Any testimonials or ratings may not reflect all experiences and are not indicative of future outcomes. Additional information, including fees and services, is available in our Form ADV Part 2A.

Subscribe

Stay informed

Subscribe to receive timely financial insights and invitations to our exclusive events

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name
Sign up: