Stock Market: The Way Forward
May 18, 2023
Last time out, we wrote that the stock market would soon be addressed in an upcoming commentary. There is a lot to worry about, but it has always been that way. So why invest in the volatile stock market when CDs, treasuries, deferred annuities and money markets are in the...
Time for a Planning Check-up & Portfolio Review
April 19, 2023
The markets are as uncertain as ever. The headlines give us plenty to worry about from recession, ailing stock prices, talk of war to bond market woes and troubles in the banking sector. Let’s take one thing at a time. In this outing we will address ...
UGLY MARKETS, FROM RECESSION TO RECOVERY
October 18, 2022
When taking in the latest market headlines, it’s important to recall that there is a difference between investing and trading, and that short-term trading activity these days impacts markets more than ever before. For the great majority of us, our serious money is allocated to savings and investments, not...
Staying the Course
July 18, 2022
Inflation is roaring after years of easy credit, the pandemic’s and war in Eastern Europe’s impact on the supply chain. The Federal Reserve’s attempt to quell inflationary flare-ups by raising interest rates...
Too Soon to Dwell Only on Bleak Outcomes
April 18, 2022
The broad US stock market is in negative territory as we head into the second quarter of 2022. Measured by the S&P 500 index of large US company stocks—that’s a...
Ukraine in February, Taiwan in? *UPDATE*
February 24, 2022
Earlier this morning the broad US Markets—pre-opening—were down by 2-3% as news from Ukraine...
Ukraine in February, Taiwan in?
February 24, 2022
And maybe the old Soviet bloc too? Buying on dips with periodic recoveries will likely be unsatisfactory if our outlook for rewards is short...
Is it Inflation's turn to shake things up?
January 18, 2022
Federal Reserve Chairman Powell recently announced that he anticipated the return of inflation but that it would be “transitory” That sounds to us like a ten-dollar word to say...
Riding out the Market News, Good and Bad
October 15, 2021
Few of you will disagree with the observation that the stock market has more ups and downs than a roller coaster ride. Those of us in the industry call the most unnerving downdrafts by the polite term “correction”. We offer assurances about the likelihood of a higher...
A Profitable Six months for Stock Investors. All Eyes on the Fed
July 26, 2021
Above is the imposing image of our Central Banking System, the Federal Reserve Building in Washington DC. The Federal Reserve is not a branch of the US government. Strictly speaking, it is not a government entity at all. So Who Runs the Show? Chairman Jerome Powell is its titular head and spokesman. “Fed” policy is set by twelve regional reserve divisions. The twelve, in turn, are owned by various member bank shareholders. The NY Fed is regarded as the ...
A Closer Look at our Core Investment Strategy
April 16, 2021
In our last letter, we briefly commented on the variety of investment strategies that we may use to serve your objectives. We kicked that list off with our Core Strategy, commonly described...
Investment Management - Tools & Strategies
March 17, 2021
In this first installment of the series, we address Investment Management. Going back to the Great Recession in 2008 and longer, this year presents as much uncertainty as many. The dramatic recovery in stock prices from last...
The Road Ahead...
January 28, 2021It’s traditional in the New Year to wonder what to expect in the coming months. You will listen with one ear to experts telling you how the year will likely roll out. You may consider whether it’s time to retire or go out on your own; to downsize, upsize or renovate; buy, lease or keep the clunker; and whether to finally take the doctor’s advice. You will then act on these...
Read More4th Quarter Considerations
October 13, 2020These days, stock market news is featured in the media about as often as weather reports, Covid 19 statistics and Presidential tweets. So, it was no surprise when the 3rd quarter performance of the S&P 500 was recently announced with fanfare on the nightly news...
Read MoreA Map and a Compass for a Disconcerting Year
July 13, 2020The Pandemic and its impact continue to command the nation’s focus. An election is looming on the horizon. Investors paying attention may have despaired, marveled or mentally shut down...
Read MoreA Little Relief
May 4, 2020Over the last few months, Covid-19 turned from an obscure disease being monitored overseas to uprooting the lives of pretty much every single American. It is still unclear...
Read MoreIs an Investment Strategy Detour in Order?
April 22, 2020Enclosed is your portfolio performance report for the quarter ending March 31. There is little good news in the report, whether you are heading for, or already in retirement. If you are reading this...
Read MoreUnintended Consequences
April 17, 2020Recall the saying, “When you are up to your a.. in alligators, it’s hard to remember you came to drain the swamp”. No surprise then, at the recriminations...
Read MoreA Financial Stress Test for House Bound Clients
March 27, 2020This email briefing is primarily directed to those of our valued clients that face personal or business challenges, or for whom the continued market volatility...
Read MoreHow Low, How Long?
March 16, 2020As the crisis slowly unfolds it is possible to at least postulate the answers to this question…
Read MoreThings Often Get Worse Before They Get Better
March 10, 2020Last week, March 2nd, we sent you an email briefing about the Corona Virus and the stock market. This time out we provide you with more background and what we might expect...
Read More2020 Turning into an Interesting and Unnerving Year
March 2, 2020For the record: From the 1930s Great Depression that arguably ended with WWII, to the Great Recession of 2008 that taxed our nerves...
Read MoreNavigating Another Interesting Year
January 27, 2020Stellar 2019 market returns in the US (for stocks anyway) have helped offset the disappointing returns of 2018. The longest bull market in US history is...
Read MoreStock Market Crashes and Your Retirement
November 1, 2019US stocks in particular are having a better than decent 2019, as least so far. If the gains hold, and that may be a big “if”, it will help make up for an uninspiring 2018. But with the gains come age-old questions. Can I afford to retire next year? Will my nest egg last a lifetime? Should I...
Read MoreThe Comeback Part II
August 23, 2019In our July letter to you titled “The Comeback” (a copy enclosed) we offered a backhanded celebration of recent performance highs and warned ...
Read MoreThe Comeback
July 15, 2019Two Quarters of back to back gains after a relatively lackluster 2018. The S&P 500 index of large US stocks is up by 19.5%. Well, it’s about time! Now, let’s take a closer look at that performance (year to date through July 8) through the lens...
Read MoreA Sigh of Relief or a Wall of Worry?
April 17, 2019The year 2018 tested the resolve of investors, but not for the usual reason. Textbook globally diversified portfolios balanced among stocks, bonds, and cash turned in paltry or even negative returns. That certainly was a cause of concern, particularly for some in...
Read MoreTo Be Determined
October 29, 2018Our last letter to Clients was titled "While the Market takes a Breather..." Up until then, the only asset class that had any muscle in most of 2017-2018 was Large US Stocks, fueled by the technology giants, today so much a part of our daily lives...
Read MoreWhile the Market takes a Breather, Taking Time to Reflect
Moday, July 23, 2018Uncertainty is the hallmark of the markets. But whether it's talk about trade or tariffs, concerns about company earnings, traders pausing to ponder their next moves, or the summer doldrums, from time to time the market will stall or retreat.
Read More'Investors Panic as DOW Loses 500 Points'
Thursday, April 26, 2018Headlines like this have become a weekly ritual in 2018, now that the almost straight up stock market returns of 2017 are behind us. But the headline...
Read MorePursuing a Better Investment Experience
Thursday, February 8, 2018Key Principles to Improve Your Odds of Success
Read MoreAre we headed for another Stock Market Crash?
Monday, January 22, 2018July of 2007 a growing number of regulators, economists, and others – among them Commodity Futures Trading Commissioner Brooksley Born, NYC professor Nouriel Roubini, Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital and Indian central banker...
Read MoreEquifax Security Breach
Friday, September 15, 2017As we all know now, EQUIFAX, one of the three US credit rating reporting companies, reported a massive breach of its security. Because their files contain the birth dates, social security numbers and information about our financial...
Read MoreTaxes, the Markets and You
Saturday, April 15, 2017You have probably noticed that, despite doomsday predictions about an impending (and always possible) market collapse, the market has experienced a remarkable comeback from the depths of the Great Recession of 2008/09. It might...
Read MoreElection and Beyond
Friday, January 27, 2017Now we know what we did not know on election day November 8, 2016. That the expected winner, as predicted by numerous polls and as expected by most traders around the globe, would not win. For reasons that escape me, one news outlet in...
Read MoreStocks, Bonds & Cash in an Unfamiliar Landscape
Tuesday, May 10, 2016Not so long ago, an elderly investor with very little tolerance for market risk could buy US treasuries of varying maturities, to earn around 3% per year on average. This would provide current income, great safety of principal and even...
Read MoreStocks and Volatility: What a Difference a Day Makes
Friday, January 8, 2016As you look at the chart above you might wonder how a company’s stock price can go from X on Monday to half of X that Friday. Isn’t a stock’s price a reflection of the company’s value? Perhaps then, during the...
Read MoreUp and Down. Up and Down
Monday, July 29, 2013It’s been a better than decent 12 months for domestic stocks, so far, and despite recent pull-backs. Yes, China’s economy is slowing. European debt woes continue. Here in the US, the troubles of others have translated into...
Read MoreWhy the Dow?: Neither Rhyme nor Reason?
Thursday, March 7, 2013ONE TWO: Slanted view? THREE FOUR: Is there more? FIVE SIX: Are they playing tricks? SEVEN EIGHT: Now who's great? NINE TEN: Think Again.
Read MoreRising Stock Prices Ahead of "Fiscal Cliff"?
Monday, October 15, 2012What’s Ahead for the Markets? Longer term there will be higher stock prices. Shorter term, we wish we knew. With respect to who wins the Presidency, the market cares less than one would think, in our opinion. Expect more stock...
Read MoreVariable Annuities with "Living Benefits"
Friday, September 21, 2012These innovative products could be called the Swiss army knives of investing. They are marketed as multiple-purpose tools that may protect investors from market losses; while also offering the opportunity for stock market rewards, and...
Read MoreAll Stocks Half the Time or Half Stocks All the Time?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011When all is said and done, you want to be in the market–BUT MAYBE NOT RIGHT NOW. The market goes way up way up one day and way down the next, but mostly sideways. You recall those admonitions to resist the urge to “Market Time”–moving some.
Read MoreA Primer on Index Investing
Friday, January 15, 2010Client circumstances will help determine whether financial planning services by our firm will either be a central component or ancillary to management of the client’s portfolio. In any event, planning sets the stage for designing...
Read MoreRetirement Plans: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Tuesday, May 1, 2007This article is intended to introduce abuses in the retirement plan market place and touch upon what plan trustees and plan participants might do about it. The article focuses on one of the most popular of the defined contribution plan...
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