Our Blog
Who needs an Annual Portfolio Review? YOU DO.
Going to the Doctor or Dentist for that annual check- up can be a pain literally and figuratively. No one wants to be poked, prodded, or told you’re falling apart. But it is part of life; a necessity to continued good health. Even the Bionic man needs a tune up now and then. You see, ensuring your financial health is no different than ensuring your physical health. So, sit down with your advisor and confirm your financial plan is still on track. It may seem like an unnecessary step in your investing process, but it is part of becoming an engaged investor. A portfolio review provides the opportunity to make helpful adjustments or reassures you that everything is on target. Most portfolio reviews just highlight performance and, if everything looks good, you’re told to leave it alone....
Ode to the Fed
In 1913 it was President Wilson, Who created the Fed. For a safer; more stable monetary system, So, they said. They will oversee the economy, Bring the system into form. We need one central bank, That can handle any storm. They’ll lower or raise interest rates, Move money in and out. Hey, they can handle anything, Why would anyone doubt? Why is it that these people, Who follow the data daily. Can’t seem to handle the problem, As well as George Bailey. We can all probably agree, They left rates too low for too long. And then did the opposite, Too fast and too strong. While I studied economics and, A lot of Biology too. I guess that makes me qualified to be, Fed governor of a zoo. But here are my two cents, My take on the situation at hand. It...
Market Madness – Getting Your Game on
With the end of the college basketball season this month, it means we are that much closer to the NCAA Men’s basketball tourney. It is one of the most exciting times of the year. From office pools, and online sites, to groups of friends, many fill out brackets trying to pick the winner of the tournament. Some take a strictly technical approach, while others go with their heart and pick their favorite team. Some even go for the underdogs. It is a time full of upsets, drama, Cinderella stories, last-second shots, and just downright grit. Believe it or not, there are some similarities between basketball and your investment portfolio. So, what is the best game plan for achieving a solid portfolio? We subscribe to the following formula. Learn the X’s and O’s. Understand the fundamentals....
The Anatomy of Dividend Investing
“The human body has two ends on it: one to create with and one to sit on. Sometimes people get their ends reversed”. Theodore Roosevelt. Looking for and obtaining a good rate of return on one’s money has been the holy grail of investing. With historic low interest rates and a wide range of investment products, it can be a challenge to neutralize risk while receiving a good rate of return. I am still waiting for the ETF (exchange-traded-fund) that slices and dices as well as exceeds the performance of the market.While not as sexy as a hedge fund or as “exciting” as trading penny stocks, investing in companies that pay increasing dividends provides a solid foundation to anchor your portfolio.We believe that high quality dividend stocks should be the core of your portfolio....
Inflation – what causes it?
“Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for the ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.” - Sam Ewing We all feel it today! Prices are not just up for a haircut, but at the grocery store, and at the gas pump; it is everywhere. Even my waistline is feeling inflated. But seriously, after years of abnormally low inflation, we are now feeling the effects throughout our economy. So, what causes inflation and is there a way to take advantage of it?While Sam’s explanation was spot on, let’s look at the official definition of inflation:Inflation is the rate of increase in prices over a given period of time. Inflation is typically a broad measure, such as the overall increase in prices or the increase in the cost of living in a country.The most...
Recession Spotted??
There have been numerous reports about the sighting of a “Recession” lingering within the US economy. But does anyone really know for sure? Has it been caught on tape? Have there been group sightings or just isolated claims? If true, how long has it been here, should we shelter in place, and when is it planning to leave? What is this “Recession” or as it’s called in the scientific circles— Economicus Deflatus? This beast can wreak havoc on the consumer and business community. It usually shows itself as two consecutive quarters of negative growth (GDP) in the economy. Most of the time it makes its presence felt well before one can confirm a sighting. But we have deniers. Yes, those who say it doesn’t exist.We decided to take matters in our own hands and investigate this...
Four things to know about asset allocation
“The difference between success and failure is not which stock you pick or which piece of real estate you buy, it’s asset allocation.” Tony RobbinsIn a nutshell, what is asset allocation?Asset allocation is the process of deciding where to put money to work in the market. It aims to balance risk and reward by apportioning a portfolio's assets according to an individual's goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. The three main asset classes—equities, fixed-income, and cash—have different levels of risk and return, so each will behave differently over time.Trying to select the right asset allocation that maximizes your return, while limiting risk can certainly be a challenge. So, the question becomes how do you figure out which asset allocation bis right for you....
