Investments
Interest rates up, bonds down, now what?
June 2013 For the last few years, we have heard numerous predictions of large losses for bonds, particularly if interest rates were to rise. In May, the yield on a 10-year U.S. Treasury Bond rose from 1.67% to 2.16%. If the headlines were to be believed, one would think owning bonds meant suffering catastrophic losses…
Read MoreGiven current conditions, should you buy or sell stocks?
The first quarter of 2013 marked the four year anniversary of the low point for the world’s stock markets during the financial crisis and market panic of 2008/2009. Just a few weeks ago, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 14,000 for the first time since October 12, 2007 and set a new all-time high. …
Read MoreFor successful investing, control your intake of business news
For successful investing, control your intake of business news To make investing a good experience, you must control your intake of business news. In many areas of life, we are given the advice to focus on what we can control. With respect to investments, the well informed will make sure, among other things, that they…
Read MoreWhat the Facebook IPO teaches us about investing
June 2012 It was hard to find a financial issue that got more attention in May than the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Facebook (FB). Amid the hoopla, there are many lessons to be learned from the events leading up to and since FB went public on May 18th. Chasing what’s hot can get you…
Read MoreBeauty is in the eye of the beholder
March 2012 Buy low, sell high. This simple concept is far from easy because it is often difficult to assess whether or not a potential investment is being offered at a low value or high value. Just ask Rupert Murdoch. In 2005, his conglomerate News Corp. bought arguably the hottest social media company among young…
Read MorePortfolio strategies to counter inflation
June 2011 With high government spending and rising national debt, many people are asking how they can prepare for potentially higher inflation. There are two basic ways to address inflation uncertainty: hedging the immediate effects or earning a total return that outpaces inflation. It may seem that everyone thinks inflation is coming and interest rates…
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