It’s hard to think all the way back to January 2016, but the year began with a bit of a shock when US stocks had their worst start in history. Then came the Brexit vote in June, when non-US Stocks dropped approximately 7% over a three week period. And then came the US Presidential election, when US stocks dropped approximately 5% in the weeks leading up to the election.
But by the end of the year, those investors who stayed the course saw positive returns across the board.
PATIENCE, n. A quality apparent among such lower life forms as snails and tortoises but rarely among humans who invest in financial assets. [Jason Zweig, The Devil’s Financial Dictionary] When we discuss the importance of disciplined investing with our clients, we tend to emphasize how critical it is to stay invested in the midst of…
DetailsInvestors seem to love dividend paying stocks. The appeal of these stocks rests largely on the idea that a dividend paying stock allows an investor to collect income while leaving the principal intact. Safe, easy money, right? Not quite.
DetailsWhen it comes to investing, we can often be our own worst enemy. That is because oftentimes, we allow our emotions to impact our behavior. Our emotions are fueled by what we read and hear in the media. The more emotional we become, the more likely we are to act and the actions we take…
DetailsGood advice is timeless … and timely. Good financial advice never goes out of style; its principles are permanent. Good advice must remain relevant in an ever-changing world. Your financial adviser should be able to help you embrace promising new opportunities and insights while avoiding the false leads and frightening challenges that are as formidable as ever in today’s markets.
DetailsThe financial press had a field day with headlines in 2015. In the fourth quarter alone, we were greeted with news stories about plummeting oil prices, a sharp slowdown in China, and the first Fed interest rate hike in more than a decade. At one point during the year, the S&P 500 was down 12%…
DetailsPlease keep in mind that changes to the Social Security benefits do not necessarily mean that delaying social security benefit until age 70 is no longer a good strategy. It just means that in some cases, delaying will not be as good a deal as it was before.
DetailsIndex fund investing is as popular as ever. In 2014, Vanguard alone recorded record mutual fund inflows totaling $216 billion. Investors are catching on to the benefits of index and other passively managed funds – benefits that include lower costs, broader diversification, lower turnover, and greater transparency. But, as Wall Street Journal columnist and author…
DetailsIn today’s world, there are several different types of investment firms, but with important differences between them that confuse not only consumers but even many investment professionals. The short article below provides a basic overview of the various types of firms and how they differ. “Brand Name” Brokerage Firms Much investment advice in the U.S.…
DetailsAs consumers, before we make a purchase, we read the fine print and compare labels. Unfortunately, it’s not all that easy for investors to compare one financial firm to another. Various firms may seem similar, but there are important differences to be aware of.
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