In recent blogs we have noted that there has been an increase in large investor concerns over a trend toward a reduction in shareholders’ rights. Now we have the managers of the S&P 500 taking a stand in favor of shareholders’ rights by announcing a new policy that would bar new admissions to the index … Continued
This is a Latin phrase that means, “first do no harm.” Non-maleficence, which is derived from this maxim, is one of the principal precepts of bioethics that all healthcare students are taught in school and is a fundamental principle throughout the world. This approach to the practice of medicine enjoys widespread support and seems to … Continued
The price of oil has proven to be remarkably difficult to predict. While the long term outlook is likely to reflect supply and demand, near-term fluctuations have been prone to sharp, often inexplicable price changes. For at least fifty years, conventional wisdom was focused on the eventual depletion of all known reserves and an ensuing … Continued
The just played Super Bowl may well have been the most exciting in the games 51 year history. The biggest comeback in history! First Super Bowl to go into overtime! Hopefully, the last word on Inflategate. The game also has a useful lesson for investors. Don’t forget what got you there. When markets are going against … Continued
Virtually all human endeavors involve team work to some extent. In sports, the application to team sports is obvious. Even in sports where the individual appears to be crucial, a team is still a major factor. For example, NASCAR drivers, no matter how talented, depend on the mechanics who set up their cars and the … Continued
Investopedia, a privately owned for-profit American website that focuses much of its content on investing education and financial news, recently conducted a survey that concluded that investors using digital advisors are nearly as happy as those who work with traditional advisors. However, most respondents indicated that there are certain services that warrant human help. The … Continued
There are hundreds, or maybe thousands, of newsletter writers around the globe. All of them have a single purpose – to sell you something. There is a fertile field for stock market newsletter writers. It goes without saying that human beings are wired to seek self preservation. Numerous articles have been written about the “fight … Continued
On several occasions over my career providing wealth management counseling to clients, I have run across the phrase from new clients that, “My broker doesn’t charge me.” I usually ask, “Do you work for free too?” The confusion comes in when one does not explicitly “write a check” for services, but instead, has fees that … Continued
Voting in the Michigan primary today, I began to ponder how we got into the political mess we’re in. I am enamored of neither of the leading parties’ leading candidates. It appears likely at this stage that one of them may end up being president, unless an indictment surfaces for one, or anger subsides and … Continued
In making investment decisions it is important to understand the difference between that which we know and what we believe. They are not synonyms. According to Dictionary.com, know is defined as, “to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and withcertainty.” Believe is defined as, “to have confidence in the truth, the … Continued
Recent reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) suggest that water levels in the Great Lakes are likely to stay at or above the long-term average over the next six months. With the exception of Lake Ontario, lake levels are currently above the seasonal long-term … 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
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