Last week Sigma had the honor of hosting nine students from Shanghai University. The students are visiting Southeast Michigan through the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering relationships between southeast Michigan officials, businesses and schools and the rest of the world. These students are spending two months in Michigan visiting … Continued
“I Can Hear the Bells” is a wonderful song from the musical Hairspray, sung by Tracy Tumblad as she “hears the bells” when thinking about her fantasy love with heartthrob, Link Larken. Yes, even after all these years bells still ring when I think about my husband. However, each time I hear someone bemoan or … Continued
Is there actually anyone out there who still believes that an email from some unknown person in Nigeria, who claims to have access to a fortune that can be shared with a timely financial partner, is true? How obvious does a scam have to be? Yet “obvious” is still the technique of choice used by … Continued
That was probably good advice in William Shakespeare’s day, but is not applicable in a modern society. Advanced economies require liquidity and seamless credit, which in turn requires responsible lending and borrowing. At any given time, nearly all of us are either borrowers or lenders, often both at the same time. If you have a … Continued
Former Senator George McGovern, Congressional Record, 102nd Congress (1991-1992): “My own business perspective has been limited to that small hotel and restaurant in Stratford, Conn., with an especially difficult lease and a severe recession. But my business associates and I also lived with federal, state and local rules that were all passed with the objective … Continued
Every talking head on the television and every armchair investor are seemingly willing to give an opinion on many different investments. There is a lot of good and bad information available. What’s most important is not only that the information is correct but also that the investment matches your own time horizon. If you are … Continued
Despite improving domestic sales, Ford and GM shares have not kept pace with the market, as measured by the most of the popular averages. GM’s US vehicle sales were up 15.5% in June and up 4.3% for the first six months of 2012. For the same periods, Ford reported gains of 7.1% and 6.6%. But … Continued
“He didn’t invent iron ore and blast furnaces, did he?” “Who?” “Rearden. He didn’t invent smelting and chemistry and air compression. He couldn’t have invented his Metal but for thousands and thousands of other people. His Metal! Why does he think it’s his? Why does he think it’s his invention? Everybody uses the work of … Continued
The deadline for pensioners to decide whether to accept a lump sum offer from General Motors is tomorrow – Friday July 20th! Sigma is available to help advise on any last minute decisions. Today’s New York Times featured an article about these decisions, and quoted our own Christopher Frayne, CFA, CFP®. Check out the article … Continued
I am attaching a copy of a letter that my personal physician sent me. It is somewhat disconcerting – the changing dynamics of healthcare. Your thoughts, interpretations, and comments are welcome. Bob Bilkie, CFA —————————— Health Care in our country is changing. As I reflect on how these changes will affect us, it is becoming … Continued
A salaried Ford or GM retiree cannot name a domestic partner as his/her surviving beneficiary for pension benefits; however if you choose to take the lump sum buyout and roll it into an IRA you can name your partner as beneficiary! Opting for the lump sum is a way to provide economic security for your … Continued
Natural gas is currently trading at approximately $2.50-3.00/mmBTU (million British Thermal Units) and oil is approximately $80/BBL (barrel). It takes approximately 5.8 mmBTU of natural gas ($15-17) to provide the same amount of heat as one barrel of oil ($80). Both are fossil fuels, although natural gas is generally viewed as relatively less hazardous to … Continued
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