“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
(This ISN’T the secret, yet.) My nephew once made the mistake of wearing his University of Michigan colors to the annual “grudge match” college football classic in Columbus Ohio, which pits the Wolverines against the Buckeyes of Ohio State. He is a large man, but he acknowledged that he felt quite vulnerable with the taunts … Continued
Healthcare represents 1/6thof the total economy. It is a complex behemoth that cannot be changed overnight. Regardless, the early market analysis of the Supreme Court ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act creates winners and losers. Among the “winners” are the hospital companies, Medicare providers and diagnostic testing service providers. The “losers” include … Continued
A family member came to me a few years ago and asked my advice on a mortgage. The loan had originally been established in 2005 so I was not sure what prompted the query as I assumed it must have been a 15 year or 30 year mortgage, and interest rates at that time had … Continued
In light of the positive response we have received about our upcoming luncheon event on the lump sum distribution options offered by Ford and General Motors, we thought having additional information may also be of interest. On Tuesday, June 19, Bob Bilkie CFA, President, and colleagues Marisa Lenhard, CFA, CFP® and Suzanne Antonelli, CFP® participated in a live … Continued
The June 18, 2012 Wall Street Journal has an article about the large number of small community banks putting themselves up for sale. The primary issue, according to the article, is the high cost of regulation. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase Bank, noted in his senate testimony last week that his bank probably … Continued
Financial network television producers love a countdown. I hate to blame the recently deceased Dick Clark, but I sometimes wonder if CNBC and other financial networks favor producers who worked on his New Year’s Eve Times Square Countdowns. Earlier this month, much of the news was focused on a “Countdown to the Facebook IPO” that … Continued
One of the earliest recorded economic experiments may be found in the scripture passage known as the Parable of the Three Talents (Mathew 25:14-30). In it, Christ speaks of the master who entrusts his wealth (Talents) to his three main lieutenants while he goes on a journey. When he returns, he compliments the two lieutenants … Continued
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