THIS WEEK’S FOCUS

Crush Your Year-End Finances Before the Ball Drops!

The year’s end is more than just holiday parties and New Year’s resolutions—it’s a prime time to tighten up your finances and set the stage for a stellar 2025. And here’s some holiday cheer: our biggest sale of the year is here—25% off all annual Surmount subscriptions until Dec. 31! (More on that below 👇)

But first, let’s talk strategy. These year-end financial moves can save you money, set you up for success, and make you feel like a boss heading into January.

INVEST SMARTER IN 2025 — FOR LESS

Don’t Miss Out on Surmount’s 25% Off Year-End Sale!

Here’s the best move you can make before the clock strikes midnight: lock in 25% off an annual subscription to Surmount with code HOLIDAY24!

With Surmount, you can:

✅ Automate Like a Pro: Let our strategies take the guesswork out of investing.
✅ Stay Balanced: Real-time rebalancing keeps your portfolio aligned with your goals.
✅ Save Money: No hidden fees. No surprises. Just smart, affordable investing.

This holiday sale ends Dec. 31, so don’t wait! Start 2025 with a powerful strategy for your portfolio.

WHEN TECH INSIDERS TALK, SMART INVESTORS LISTEN

Spotlight Strategy: FAANG Insider Trading

If you’re looking to invest with a data-driven edge, the FAANG Insider Trading strategy could be your next move. This strategy taps into publicly reported insider trading activities—the buying or selling of shares by executives, directors, or significant stakeholders—within the FAANG stocks: Facebook (Meta), Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (Alphabet).

Why does this matter? Insiders often have a unique view of their companies’ future prospects. When they make big moves, it can signal confidence—or caution—about their company’s outlook.

Why FAANG? The Tech Titans That Shape the Market

FAANG stocks are the backbone of the modern economy. These companies dominate their sectors, drive innovation, and have a massive influence on the stock market as a whole. By focusing exclusively on FAANG insider trades, this strategy hones in on the pulse of the tech industry’s leadership and their market moves.

Here’s why the FAANG Insider Trading strategy stands out:

• Proven Performance: With a total return of 142% all-time, this strategy outpaces traditional benchmarks like the S&P 500.

• Informed Decisions: It uses insider activity as a guide, leveraging legally reported data to identify opportunities.

• Strong Annual Returns: Averaging 19.35% annual return, it’s built for investors looking for consistent long-term growth.

How It Works: A Simple Yet Smart Approach

This strategy automatically tracks insider buying and selling across FAANG stocks, prioritizing transparency and simplicity. It analyzes trades, evaluates risk, and executes decisions—all with minimal effort from you.

For example:

• If a Meta executive buys a large chunk of shares, the strategy might interpret this as confidence in Meta’s future, signalling a buying opportunity.

• Conversely, heavy insider selling could prompt an exit from a position, mitigating potential losses.

With an average of 2.37 trades per day, the strategy stays active while maintaining a moderate risk level, as evidenced by its Risk Score of 1.88.

Key Stats at a Glance

• Annual Return: 19.35%

• Drawdown: -27% (manageable risk with significant upside potential)

• Sector Focus: Heavyweight in Communication Services (64%) and Technology (23%)

• Alpha Capacity: $1.86 billion—proof this strategy can scale effectively

Pair It with Surmount’s Holiday Deal 🎁

Here’s the best part: You can try this strategy—and many more—for 25% off our annual subscription until Dec. 31. With automated insights like this, your portfolio will be set to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

YOUR FUTURE SELF WITH THANK YOU — WITH INTEREST

1. Max Out Your Retirement Contributions

The IRS lets you save up to $22,500 in your 401(k) or $6,500 in an IRA for 2024, and these contributions reduce your taxable income today. If you haven’t hit those limits, now’s the time to catch up.

Even small contributions can snowball over time. For example, just an extra $100 per paycheck could add up to tens of thousands of dollars by retirement, thanks to compound growth.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure how much room you have left, check with your employer or your investment platform. A few clicks could unlock major tax savings.

MAKING LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS

2. Tax-Loss Harvesting: Turn Losses Into Wins

If you had a few investments that didn’t pan out this year, don’t just let them sit there—make them work for you. Tax-loss harvesting allows you to sell losing investments to offset your taxable gains.

For instance, if you made $5,000 selling a winning stock but lost $2,000 on another, you’ll only owe taxes on $3,000 of gains. Not bad, right? Just watch out for the IRS’s wash-sale rule, which could disqualify your deduction if you rebuy the same stock too soon.

TIME TO DO SOME HOUSEKEEPING

3. Rebalance Your Portfolio for 2025

Over the year, your portfolio might’ve drifted out of balance—too much in tech stocks? Not enough diversification? It’s like eating nothing but pizza all year: fun, but not exactly sustainable.

Now’s the time to check if your investments align with your goals. Diversify your holdings to reduce risk, and make sure your strategy reflects your risk tolerance. Tools like Surmount can help with automated rebalancing, so you don’t have to stress about it.

TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVING… AND SAVING

4. Donate for a Double Win: Good Karma + Tax Deductions

Got a favorite charity? Donating before December 31st isn’t just heartwarming—it can lower your tax bill, too. Charitable donations are often tax-deductible, but make sure to get a receipt and check the rules (hint: your cousin’s GoFundMe doesn’t count).

Pro move: If you’re holding appreciated stocks, consider donating them instead of cash. You’ll avoid paying capital gains tax and still get the deduction. Win-win!

PLANNING = WINNING

5. New Year, New Goals: Get 2025 Off to a Strong Start

The best way to crush 2025? Start now. Set goals for saving, investing, or paying off debt. Automate your efforts so you can focus on living your life without micromanaging your money.

Surmount’s automated strategies can make this easy—whether you’re a rookie investor or seasoned pro, we’ve got strategies to help you build wealth without the stress.