Late evening view of US Capitol building in Washington DC, USA
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A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.
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The “one big beautiful bill” came with many tax benefits for top earners, despite limiting how much they can deduct. However, lawyers for the wealthy said they have discovered a surprise buried in the footnotes of a tax law guide released last week by Congress’ policy staff that could amount to double taxation.
The deduction cap is imposed on trusts and estates, the lawyers said, which was unexpected. Even if a trust gave all its income to its beneficiaries, it would have to pay taxes on a portion of that income, according to the lawyers’ interpretation of the document.
While the consequences are steeper for trusts and estates of the ultra-wealthy, trusts with as little as $16,000 in income would also be subject to additional taxes, the lawyers said.
“There is potentially an element of double taxation,” said Dan Griffith, director of wealth strategy at Huntington Bank. “This is something that is going to affect somebody with a $400,000 special-needs trust. It’s not just going to be something that $100 million dynasty trusts suffer with.”
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Griffith said he is especially concerned about trusts that are obligated to distribute all their income. Trusts will either have to sell assets to pay the taxes, sacrificing future investment returns, or reduce their distributions to beneficiaries, he said.
This provision creates a “mathematical nightmare” for tax lawyers and financial advisors, according to Justin Miller, national director of wealth planning at Evercore Wealth Management. Miller gave the example of a wealthy couple wishing to leave their estate to charity.
“If I have to pay income taxes, that means I’m giving less money to charity because I’m giving money to the IRS. That means I now have to adjust my deduction even more because less money is going to charity,” he said. “Did Congress really intend to create an algebraic formula?”
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Historically, trusts and estates have been able to deduct income given to beneficiaries, which is then taxed on the individual level. This distribution deduction is designed to make sure income is only taxed once.
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However, the new deduction limitation on top-earning individuals now applies to trusts and estates, according to a footnote in the Joint Committee on Taxation’s recent tax explainer, better known as the Bluebook. The JCT is nonpartisan and serves to explain legislation.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s limit on itemized deductions means that taxpayers in the top bracket only get a deduction benefit of 35 cents for every dollar, rather than 37 cents. It applies to charitable deductions, and experts say it has already influenced how top earners give.
While the Bluebook is an interpretation of the OBBBA rather than law in and of itself, this provision is causing concern in the financial advisory community, according to lawyer Robert Keebler. For instance, he frequently sets up trusts for clients on their second marriages that will provide their surviving spouse with income but leave the remainder for children from the first marriage.
Consider a trust that distributes all $370,000 of its net income to a widow, he said. Applying the deduction limit to trusts means that the trust can only deduct $350,000 from its distributable net income and $20,000 would be subject to taxes, even though the widow is taxed on the entire $370,000, according to Keebler. To pay the tax, the trust either has to dip into its corpus, reducing the children’s future benefit, or get permission to give less to the spouse, which can require going to court.
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This provision applies to this tax year, according to Keebler.
The double taxation issue could be resolved by an amendment by Congress, or, more likely, guidance from the Department of the Treasury. Keebler is planning with the anticipation that it will stand.
“We hope for the best but plan for the worst,” he said.
The Department of the Treasury did not answer CNBC’s questions by press time.
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Miller said it is “reasonable to hope” that the Treasury Department will issue guidance by the end of this year. However, the devil will be in the details for which deductions the department decides to limit, he said.
For instance, the department might allow trusts to take unlimited deductions on distributing income to beneficiaries such as family members, which would resolve the biggest concern for financial advisors, Miller said. The footnote in the Bluebook mentions this deduction.
But Miller noted that the Bluebook’s footnote does not mention charitable deductions for trusts and estates. He told CNBC that he thought the omission was intentional and that it is possible the Treasury will keep the deduction limit on charitable giving for trusts and estates.
A person familiar with the JCT’s procedures told CNBC that staff had interpreted from the OBBBA that the charitable deduction would be treated differently from other deductions. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter.
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With six months until the end of the year, what advisors need most is clarity, Miller said.
“We just need to know the rules,” he added. “At the end of the day, advisors just want to do the correct thing. Right now, we don’t know what that is.”
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin in North America on June 11, attention is turning to who will claim the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top goal scorer. Kylian Mbappe enters as the clear favorite after winning the award in Qatar four years ago, but England’s Harry Kane and Norway’s Erling Haaland are close behind in betting markets and form.
Kylian Mbappe Leads Golden Boot Favorites as Kane, Haaland Chase History at 2026 World Cup AFP
No player has won the Golden Boot more than once in World Cup history. Mbappe and Kane both have the chance to make that breakthrough this summer, adding to their previous successes in 2022 and 2018 respectively. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of other established attackers also remain in contention, though deeper tournament runs will likely decide the outcome.
Mbappe, now at Real Madrid, has continued his prolific scoring. He netted 42 goals in 44 matches during the 2025-26 club season and boasts 56 international goals for France. His eight goals in 2022, including a hat-trick in the final, set a high bar. At 27, the Frenchman is seen as the player most likely to go deep with a strong Les Bleus side.
Harry Kane remains a perennial threat. The England captain, playing for Bayern Munich, scored 61 goals in 51 matches this season and holds the record for most international goals for his country with 78 in 112 appearances. He won the 2018 Golden Boot with six goals and shared the Euro 2024 award. England’s expected progress under Thomas Tuchel positions Kane well for another strong showing.
Erling Haaland makes his World Cup debut after an explosive club campaign at Manchester City, where he scored 38 goals in 52 matches. The 25-year-old has 55 goals in just 49 appearances for Norway, including a standout qualifying campaign. However, Norway faces a tough group with France, Senegal and Iraq, meaning Haaland may need to deliver early fireworks if his team exits quickly.
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Veterans and Rising Threats
Messi, at 38, is likely playing in his final World Cup. The Argentina captain scored seven goals in Qatar and has 116 international goals overall. While his club output at Inter Miami was more modest with 13 goals in 16 games, his tournament pedigree and ability to produce in decisive moments keep him in the conversation at longer odds.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, heads to his fifth World Cup. The Portugal star scored 30 goals in 37 matches for Al-Nassr this season and remains his country’s all-time leading scorer with 143 goals. A deep run by Portugal could see the five-time Ballon d’Or winner add to his eight previous World Cup goals.
Past winners such as Eusebio, Gary Lineker and Brazil’s Ronaldo highlight the award’s prestige. Recent history shows the importance of team success: deeper runs provide more opportunities to score. France and England are among the favorites to go far, boosting Mbappe and Kane’s prospects.
Injuries, form dips and tactical setups will play roles. Kane has occasionally been criticized for quieter showings in major knockouts, while Mbappe’s pace remains a constant danger. Haaland’s physical presence makes him a focal point, but service will be key in a difficult group.
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Broader Tournament Picture
Host nations Canada, Mexico and the United States add local interest, though none are seen as Golden Boot contenders. Strong European and South American sides dominate early predictions. Betting markets consistently place Mbappe at around +600, Kane at +700 and Haaland at +1400, reflecting both individual ability and team strength.
Analysts note the concentration of talent. France, England, Argentina and Brazil boast multiple potential scorers, which could split goals within squads. For instance, Argentina features Messi, Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, while France has Mbappe and Dembele.
The tournament’s structure, with groups and extended knockouts, rewards consistency. Historical data shows top scorers often reach at least the quarterfinals. This favors players on stronger national teams over pure goal machines on weaker sides.
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What to Watch
Pre-tournament friendlies have offered glimpses. Vinicius Jr impressed in Brazil’s 6-2 win over Panama, while others fine-tune form. Qualification highlighted specialists: Haaland’s volume for Norway, Kane’s reliability for England, and Mbappe’s clinical edge for France.
As the World Cup approaches, focus will shift from club seasons to international preparation. Managers like Tuchel, Didier Deschamps and others will balance squad rotation with maximizing star attackers. Fitness and adaptation to North American conditions, including travel and pitches, could prove decisive.
The Golden Boot race adds narrative drama to a global event already packed with storylines. Whether a repeat winner emerges or a new name claims glory, the award traditionally spotlights football’s most clinical finishers. Mbappe’s blend of youth and experience currently gives him the edge, but football’s unpredictability ensures no outcome is certain until the final whistle in July.
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With the opening match days away, contenders are finalizing preparations. The 2026 edition promises high-scoring affairs and memorable moments from the planet’s elite strikers. Fans and analysts alike will track every goal as the favorites navigate a path toward individual immortality in one of sport’s toughest competitions.
The fund house informed its unitholders that it has decided to temporarily restrict lumpsum subscriptions in HDFC Gold ETF and HDFC Gold ETF Fund of Fund until further notice.
In HDFC Gold ETF, subscription transactions by large investors directly with HDFC Mutual Fund (i.e. investing minimum Rs 25 crore) shall not be accepted from the effective date. In HDFC Gold ETF FoF, lumpsum purchases /switch-ins into the FOF shall be processed only upto a limit of Rs 10 lakh per PAN per calendar month (at first holder level). This limit shall apply in respect of transactions received after cut-off time (3:00 PM) on June 5.
It further said that all other terms and conditions of the schemes will remain unchanged. This addendum shall form an integral part of the SID / KIM of the schemes as amended from time to time.
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Launched on December 28, 2022, HDFC Gold ETF had an AUM of Rs 69.72 crore as of April 30, 2026. In the last one year, the fund lost 4.01% and since its inception it has given a CAGR of 8.27%. Also Read | ET Alpha Wealth Summit: Future alpha may emerge from neglected markets and asset classes, says Kalpen Parekh HDFC Gold ETF FoF was launched on November 1, 2011 and had an AUM of Rs 11,464 crore as of April 30. In the last one year, it gave a return of 57.05% and since its inception it has given a return of 11%.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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Step on to the tarmac at any major airport around the world, and you’ll notice an unmistakable smell. A slightly sweet, oily scent, redolent of old workshops or antique paraffin lamps. It is as much part of the travelling experience as lukewarm coffee and queues at passport control. It is, of course, the pervasive smell of jet fuel.
Aerial view of yachts moored in the Port Vell marina of Barcelona, Spain
Busà Photography | Moment | Getty Images
A version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.
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Soaring stock markets created nearly 2 million new millionaires around the world last year, with the ultra rich seeing the strongest growth, according to a new study.
The population of global millionaires surged 7.9% to 25.3 million in 2025, according to the Capgemini World Wealth Report. Their total wealth increased by 8.7% to $98.3 trillion, marking the fastest growth in five years.
At the same time, a wealth gap between millionaires and the ultra wealthy continues to widen. The increasing wealth of millionaires — defined by Capgemini as those with $1 million or more in investible assets, excluding primary home, collectibles and consumer goods — was outpaced by the growth of so-called “ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI),” or those with $30 million or more. The population of UHNWIs grew 9.4% in 2025, to 250,000, and their fortunes grew 9.7%, according to the report.
UHNWIs now represent 1% of the overall millionaire population, but they hold 35% of all millionaire wealth, according to the study. Gareth Wilson, global banking industry lead at Capgemini, said one reason the ultra wealthy are outpacing millionaires is their access to higher-returning private investments.
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“They have access to investments and opportunities that aren’t afforded even to the millionaires next door, whether it be pre-IPO investments or private markets,” Wilson said. “When you look at those individuals who have investable assets at that scale, they probably have more influence in terms of access to some of the hedge funds, access to the private markets, and they’re probably afforded access to some other kind of pre-IPO investments that us mere mortals probably don’t even know about.”
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Geographically, the U.S. continues to power much of the global millionaire growth. The U.S. added 730,000 new millionaires in 2025, bringing the total U.S. millionaire population to 8.73 million, according to the report. Their fortunes surged by nearly $3 trillion to $31.3 trillion.
Asia also posted strong growth, with its millionaire wealth up 10.5% and millionaire population up 9.4%.
While China had been the main growth engine for Asian wealth for years, Korea and Taiwan are now leading Asian wealth creation, as the Korean stock market surged 76% last year and semiconductor stocks powered Taiwanese markets higher. Asia’s total millionaire population reached 8.3 million in 2025, according to the report.
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Europe’s millionaire population grew 6.5%, while Latin America’s grew 0.3% and the Middle East saw a decline of 1.4%.
When it comes to their investments, the world’s millionaires are increasing their holdings of stocks. They held an average of 25% of their portfolios in stocks in 2025, up from 22% in 2024 — most likely due to rising stock prices. Their share of alternatives declined to 12% from 15% and their cash holdings also fell to 24% from 26%. Their holdings of fixed income increased from 18% to 20% and their real estate investments remained flat at 19%.
The increased holdings of stocks and drawdowns in cash point to a continued “risk on” attitude among millionaire investors. With markets coming off three years of double-digit gains, investors are more fearful of missing out on a bull run than they are of losses.
“The equities performance is encouraging the movement from lower-risk to higher-risk investments,” Wilson said. “I would say we’ve probably seen an increase in the risk appetite, and we’ve also seen the high-net-worth individuals follow the money in terms of equity performance.”
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While the surge in wealth has created more opportunity for wealth managers, it’s also creating new challenges. Today’s wealthy are increasingly dividing their fortunes between multiple advisors based on their specialties, rather than relying on one or two trusted firms. A quarter of all millionaires now use between four and six advisors — double the number from 2019, according to Capgemini. The number of millionaires using only one advisor has fallen by more than half, to 19%.
At the same time, wealthy investors are turning to nontraditional firms for advice. On the lower end of the wealth spectrum, for those with between $1 million and $5 million, investors are using more roboadvisors, or automated platforms. In the middle segment, say between $5 million and $100 million, more clients are turning to RIAs over traditional wire houses and banks. And at the top, many are creating their family offices.
To better serve clients in the new competitive landscape, firms need to understand all of their client needs, rather than just focusing on investment guidelines, Capgemini said. Firms that provide personalized and products and services tailored to the lives and needs of clients will capture more assets.
Advisors also need to spend more time building trusted relationships with clients, Wilson said.
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“We’ve seen where that relationship manager is able to build trust, build a very personalized connect, and also orchestrate all the products and services for the client in a specific way,” Wilson said. “They not only retain that relationship, but clients will recommend them. You want your high-net-worth individuals recommending you to their friends at the country club, or the golf club, or the boat club.”
The awards are billed as the “Oscars” of financial journalism. Hannah won the award in 2019 and was highly commended in 2022. This year’s award winners will be named at a ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane later this month.
The organisers said: “A huge congratulations goes to everyone named. Just making it on to a Headlinemoney Awards shortlist is an achievement, and we received a record number of entries this year, so well done to all involved.”
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Hannah said: “It’s lovely to be recognised alongside Alistair for the work we are doing. There are some excellent journalists in this category, all of whom are flying the flag for local journalism. I am thrilled just to be nominated!”
Alistair said: “I’m really pleased to be on this year’s Headlinemoney Awards shortlist alongside such great journalists, including my colleague Hannah. Thanks to the judges for recognising all the work that BusinessLive is doing.”
Meanwhile, our BusinessLive North West newsletter has been nominated in the Best B2B Newsletter category at the Publisher Newsletter Awards. It’s one of 13 newsletters run by publisher reach to be nominated at the national event.
In the B2B category, BusinessLive North West will compete against newsletters from organisations including the Financial Times and MIT Technology Review. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in London in July.
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