Inflation is the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services. As inflation rises, every dollar buys a smaller amount of goods. For example, if the inflation rate is 2%, then a $1 loaf of bread will cost $1.02 a year from now. The consumer-price index is a broad gauge of inflation. … Continued
I recently gave a presentation to clients regarding personal succession planning. I prefer to call it personal succession planning versus estate planning because many people view estate planning as only being important should one die, but it also comes into play should you become disabled or unable to make decisions for yourself. Failing to plan … Continued
“The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is that a dreamer has his eyes closed and a visionary has his eyes open.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I don’t take lightly the 3+% move in the markets over the past two days. And, be assured, down days in the market leave a much more lasting impression in my mind than big up days (which is why I was able to cite below the date and statistics of events 27+ years ago without … Continued
The equity markets have been quite volatile of late with 300 and 400 point swings in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, intra-day, not uncommon. What is going on? Many opinions abound, but I would suggest that two major forces are at play. Both of them impact the amount of the “liquidity” for stock trading available. … Continued
Home price growth slowed in October and the question that lingers is whether the recovery from the slump in pricing that began with the Great Recession in 2008-09, is coming to an end. This is an important consideration because price growth provides the accumulation of equity that typically allows homeowners to “trade up.” The cycle … Continued
Media commentary regarding the price of oil tends to focus on two widely quoted markets, Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI). The price of Brent crude reflects North Sea sourcing, whereas WTI is used as a benchmark in oil pricing. WTI is the underlying commodity of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s oil futures contracts. There are … Continued
No one knows. While conflicting opinions are rampant, just watch CNBC, history suggests that predicting future Federal Reserve moves is a good way to get your head handed to you. In trying to anticipate potential future changes in interest rates, investors might be well advised to consider the Fed’s mandate. The U. S. Congress established … Continued
Because someone is likely to come along and promise to give you exactly what you are asking for. If you believe that you need a 5% return on your fixed income portfolio, or a certain and consistent 12% annual increase in your equity portfolio, someone will come along and promise just that. Often, the promise … Continued
“Let us enter the New Year cheerfully. Let us resolve to look on the bright side, to make the best of whatever may befall, to maintain faith that doing the right thing will ultimately bring victory. Let us cultivate sunniness, resist sourness. We can better wrestle with difficulties, obstacles, problems in a spirit of buoyancy … Continued
The recent and relatively precipitous decrease in the price of oil is likely to lead to a period of adjustment and uncertainty. Markets typically have not liked uncertainty. This suggests that investors are likely to be subjected to increased market volatility until there is greater visibility relating to the economic and geopolitical impact of the … Continued
Cuba is essentially a dependent country, in that it has been unable to generate enough export income to fund a minimal level of imports. Over the last 50 years, Russia has been a major supporter and, more recently, Venezuela has helped, primarily with bargain oil. Both of these countries are facing increasing difficulties at home, … Continued
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