A proliferation of rapid-delivery apps has turned the smart phone into a magic wand that can direct a wide variety of products and services to your door. Of course, instant gratification tends to carry a price, with a plethora of fees, and delivery and service charges. Is it worth it? That is the critical question … Continued
There are several topics that are generally considered to be inappropriate for social gatherings involving strangers. High on the list are politics, religion and grandchildren. Never-the-less, it is important for investors to be current and fully aware of what is going on regarding both politics and religion. It is also essential that investors distinguish between … Continued
Over the last several years we have seen a significant increase in the Federal debt and the recently concluded budget deal suggests that both political parties are now on board for continuing deficit spending. Moreover, this antipathy to fiscal austerity is currently in vogue around the globe. Conventional wisdom would hold that continuing deficit spending … Continued
Investors, particularly those reviewing the fixed income part of their portfolios, are lamenting the current reality of relatively low interest rates. Yes, portfolio management would be easier and more fruitful if the interest rate on the 10 year treasury was 4% instead of 2%. But it isn’t, so work with your advisor(s) to construct an … Continued
Most investors and families would say no, but not our government. The United States plans to sell 58 million barrels of oil, currently held in the strategic reserve, over a seven year period, from 2018 until 2025, under a budget deal. This planned sale appears to be directly related to an inability, on the part … Continued
The good news out of Washington last week is that Congress was able to pass budget legislation and avoid a government shutdown. The bad news is that some retirees will no longer have access to two popular Social Security claiming strategies, including file-and-suspend and restricted application. For couples who are at or past their full-retirement … Continued
According to Wikipedia, the Phillips curve is a historical inverse relationship between rates of unemployment and corresponding rates of inflation. Theoretically, reductions in the unemployment rate should cause prospective employers to offer higher wages which, under some circumstances, can have an inflationary effect. Clearly, the Fed looks at a wide range of metrics in determining … Continued
The UAW and the Detroit based auto manufacturers are currently in the process of negotiating a new four year agreement. UAW members generally resent the two tier wage system and long-time employees feel that they have been left behind as the industry recovers from the bailout/bankruptcy era. It should be noted that UAW auto workers … Continued
I was recently having a conversation about the capital markets with an attorney friend (non-client) who is exceptionally risk averse. Plain and simple, he intimated that he just could not stomach the constant ups and downs of stock prices and the potential for loss of principal. He is not unusual in this respect. Many, if not … Continued
Here we go again. According to Black Knight Financial Services, cash-out residential refinances jumped 68% in the second quarter from a year ago, the highest volume of this type of refinancing in five years. As home values increase, homeowners are seeing paper increases in equity, which, when combined with unusually low mortgage rates, creates an … Continued
My colleague Walter Kirchberger wrote a very compelling blog on the impact of competent leadership for an organization and cited one of the two premiere college football teams in the state of Michigan in his comments. His commingling of sports and business when speaking of leadership was not unique. In many business management books, pages … Continued
While athletics and business are not completely synonymous, both tend to require effective leadership. Witness the University of Michigan football team. A once great power had clearly fallen on hard times and the prospects for the 2015 season were not generally considered to be much better. At this writing the team is ranked 12th or … Continued
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