Thursday, March 19, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Allen Harris

Allen Harris is the founder, CEO and CIO of Berkshire Money Management based in Dalton, Massachusetts. He is a Certified Exit Planner, Certified Value Builder and Certified Business Valuation Specialist, and specializes in working with business owners intending to accelerate their growth and/or transition. Harris is also the author of 'Build It, Sell It, Profit: Taking Care of Business Today to Get Top Dollar When You Retire,' publishes the Berkshire Business Confidence Index, and hosts the BMM Business Roundtable. He built and sold his previous business, the Navigator Newsletters Group, a financial publication with 16,000 paid subscribers (one of the five largest of its era). Beyond his professional work, Harris is passionate about the well-being of animals. He is an avid supporter of spay and neuter efforts and animal rescue. Additionally, he is a strong advocate for both economic revitalization and the arts in the Berkshires, including First Fridays Artswalk, Shakespeare in the Park, Alchemy Initiative, Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow and other nonprofit organizations.

written articles

CAPITAL IDEAS: What does the 1990 Gulf War reveal about today’s stock market?

A strong economy can handle a short-term rise in energy prices, but a struggling one, especially with high interest rates and tight credit, has a tougher time.

CAPITAL IDEAS: Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs — the answers to your questions

Because tariffs are effectively taxes collected at the border, the Court said Congress must clearly authorize such sweeping taxing power.

CAPITAL IDEAS: How the rich avoid taxes, and you can, too (2026 update)

Tax planning is not only about April 15, it is also about what happens to assets when you’re not around to sign the return.

CAPITAL IDEAS: The EU-India trade deal — Should you sell America and buy foreign stocks?

The EU–India trade agreement is a long-term re-routing of growth and capital, not a trading opportunity. The EU and India have effectively created a more predictable investment corridor by lowering trade frictions and modernizing rules around services, digital trade, and intellectual property.

CAPITAL IDEAS: Will Trump’s pick for Fed chair tank the market?

Compared to the other widely considered candidates, I believe Warsh was Trump’s best choice for a nomination. However, because he was also the most hawkish choice, that does set up a tough trajectory for the stock market for the rest of 2026.

CAPITAL IDEAS: How will the stock market perform during Trump’s second year?

There is always a chance for Year 2 to end significantly lower—or much higher. On the surface, that sounds useless, but dig deeper and the Year 2 and AAII data reinforce what I have said before.

CAPITAL IDEAS: Can you spend more than you have been?

Spending now does not automatically mean running out later. Responsible spending is built into a good plan. If your plan does not include enjoying your money, I would argue it is not a very good plan.

CAPITAL IDEAS: The stock market could decline in 2026

The most likely outcome is a modest market decline in 2026. Why? Well, forgive my contrarian nature, but since 2000, this is only the eighth time analysts collectively expected a return greater than 10 percent.

CAPITAL IDEAS: The most significant financial matters in 2025

Now that we have all designed our investment strategy for 2026 and settled into our New Year’s resolutions, it means reflecting on 2025.

CAPITAL IDEAS: Protect family wealth with communication and tax avoidance

This is first and foremost a conversation about family.

CAPITAL IDEAS: The stock market and economic outlook for 2026

The good news is that 2026 is shaping up less like a “brace for impact” year and more like a “keep your balance” year. Not tranquil, but investable.

CAPITAL IDEAS: Will the economy crack in 2026? Or will the AI boom save It?

Absent the lift from the artificial intelligence boom, the U.S. economy would be dangerously close to falling flat, or worse. Do we need to worry about the AI lift being taken away? Or should we rejoice that it’s here?

CAPITAL IDEAS: Will the Federal Reserve cut interest rates at its next meeting?

If you read the latest Fed minutes, it is clear that what happens at the December 10 meeting is very much up for grabs.

CAPITAL IDEAS: Is circular lending a red flag for the stock market?

Strip away the unearned stigma and you will find an old playbook of vendor financing being rerun at a modern scale. The benefit for investors is a capital-expenditure cycle that can sustain innovation and earnings power.

CAPITAL IDEAS: Is artificial intelligence taking your grandkids’ jobs?

Layoffs happen every year—that is nothing new. However, citing AI as a reason for layoffs is a relatively new development.

CAPITAL IDEAS: How rich are the top one percent? The top 10 percent?

If you need an action item, it is mindset. Contrary to popular belief, most millionaires (79 percent) are self-made, rather than being “trust-fund babies.”
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