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Commentary



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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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The Road Ahead...

January 28, 2021

It’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...

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4th Quarter Considerations

October 13, 2020

These 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...

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A Map and a Compass for a Disconcerting Year

July 13, 2020

The 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...

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A Little Relief

May 4, 2020

Over 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...

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Is an Investment Strategy Detour in Order?

April 22, 2020

Enclosed 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...

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Unintended Consequences

April 17, 2020

Recall 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...

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A Financial Stress Test for House Bound Clients

March 27, 2020

This email briefing is primarily directed to those of our valued clients that face personal or business challenges, or for whom the continued market volatility...

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How Low, How Long?

March 16, 2020

As the crisis slowly unfolds it is possible to at least postulate the answers to this question…

 

Things Often Get Worse Before They Get Better

March 10, 2020

Last 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...

 

2020 Turning into an Interesting and Unnerving Year

March 2, 2020

For the record: From the 1930s Great Depression that arguably ended with WWII, to the Great Recession of 2008 that taxed our nerves...

 

Navigating Another Interesting Year

January 27, 2020

Stellar 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...

 


Stock Market Crashes and Your Retirement

November 1, 2019

US 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...

 

The Comeback Part II

August 23, 2019

In our July letter to you titled “The Comeback” (a copy enclosed) we offered a backhanded celebration of recent performance highs and warned ...

 


The Comeback

July 15, 2019

Two 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...

 

A Sigh of Relief or a Wall of Worry?

April 17, 2019

The 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...

 

To Be Determined

October 29, 2018

Our 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...

 
 

While the Market takes a Breather, Taking Time to Reflect

Moday, July 23, 2018

Uncertainty 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.

 
 

'Investors Panic as DOW Loses 500 Points'

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Headlines 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...

 

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Key Principles to Improve Your Odds of Success

 

Monday, January 22, 2018

July 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...

 

Friday, September 15, 2017

As 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...

 

Saturday, April 15, 2017

You 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...

 

Friday, January 27, 2017

Now 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...

 




Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Not 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...

 

Friday, January 8, 2016

As 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...

 

Up and Down. Up and Down

Monday, July 29, 2013

It’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...

 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

ONE TWO: Slanted view? THREE FOUR: Is there more? FIVE SIX: Are they playing tricks? SEVEN EIGHT: Now who's great? NINE TEN: Think Again.

 

Monday, October 15, 2012

What’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...

 

Friday, September 21, 2012

These 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...

 

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

When 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.

 

A Primer on Index Investing

Friday, January 15, 2010

Client 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...

 

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

This 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...