Blog
2011 Review: Economy & Markets
January 10, 2012
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The past year reminded investors that they should hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and be thankful when reality does not match their fears. Investors entered 2011 with hopes that the world economy would continue recovering from a long and painful deleveraging process. Equity markets had posted two straight years of positive performance, central banks remained committed to pro-growth monetary policy, and major developed nations were focused on reducing debt. more...
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Client Survey Results
December 02, 2011
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Below is an e-mail distributed to our clients about the results of our Third Annual Client Survey...
Here are the tabulated results of our Third Annual Client Survey. Thank-you for your business and thank-you for your feedback on the survey, if you were able to complete it. Our client base totals 110 and our response rate was a tremendous 55%. more...
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What Does a Winning Streak Tell Us?
November 30, 2011
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Bill Miller is one of the most closely watched money managers in the industry, so it was big news when he announced his decision last week to step down as portfolio manager of Legg Mason Capital Management Value Trust (LMVTX) early next year. more...
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October Fest
November 14, 2011
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Ever noticed how gamblers always tell you about their big wins, but tend to keep their even bigger losses close to their chests? People who seek to finesse their entry and exit of financial markets are similar. more...
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Market Volatility
August 12, 2011
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The current renewed volatility in financial markets is reviving unwelcome feelings among many investors—feelings of anxiety, fear, and a sense of powerlessness. These are completely natural responses. Acting on those emotions, though, can end up doing us more harm than good. more...
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Sovereign Debt and the Equity Investor
July 28, 2011
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Last week we came across an "Economic and Policy Watch" update prepared by a major investment bank that reviewed recent government proposals to address the nation's funding crisis. Titled "It Just Gets Worse," the report chided policymakers for actions that "look like a poor cover for loose money, rising inflation, and fiscal problems," and warned that "government financing needs are corrupting monetary policy." more...
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Two Years after February 2009
April 21, 2011
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February 2009 turned out to be the low point in the most recent economic downturn. Last year, we blogged about where we were one year after the market low. With February 2011 return numbers now behind us, let us share with you where we are two years after the February 2009 bottom. more...
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What's "New" about a New Normal?
February 10, 2011
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The 2008 global market crisis and the struggling economy have left many investors fatigued. Despite two years of strong equity returns, some investors have been slow to regain market confidence. Many are accepting the talk about a “new normal” in which stocks offer lower returns in the future. more...
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2010 Review: Economy & Markets
January 12, 2011
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The past year offered an interesting mix of positive and negative news as investors around the world eagerly anticipated signs of economic recovery and financial stabilization. While most financial markets logged positive returns for a second straight year, investors had to endure a host of troubling news and pessimistic market predictions. more...
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Trust Wall Street's Top Stock Picks?
January 05, 2011
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The New Year is now upon us and brokers are notorious for offering up their top picks for this year. Should you trust them? more...
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Deficits, Debt, and Markets
December 10, 2010
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As government spending hits record levels around the globe, some politicians, economists, and pundits are warning that rising indebtedness may drag down economies and financial markets. This issue has raised concern among investors who assume that a government's fiscal policy is closely linked to the country's economic growth and market returns. more...
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Fixed Income Risk in Your Portfolio
November 02, 2010
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With interest rates near historical lows, some investors may be anxious about a possible rate climb and its potential impact on their fixed income investments. Rising interest rates typically cause existing bonds to lose value. more...
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Retirement, Risk, and Return (video)
October 22, 2010
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David Booth, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors, discusses (in video) the importance of balancing volatility risk and purchasing power risk when investing for retirement. more...
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Deflation Rears Its Ugly Head
August 20, 2010
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Our February 19, 2010 blog highlighted an article in the Wall Street Journal that discussed the possibility of a Japanese-style period of deflation in the United States. The article pointed out more...
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Managers vs. Markets
July 30, 2010
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Proponents of active management believe that skilled managers can outperform the financial markets through security selection, market timing, and other efforts based on prediction. Data suggests active managers do not consistently deliver on this promise, according to research provided by Standard & Poor’s. more...
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Oil Spill Insights
June 11, 2010
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Grunden Financial Advisory, Inc. has the benefit of serving some clients in the oil and gas industry including one who actually worked on the Deepwater Horizon rig that sank in the explosion. Obtain a unique perspetive on these events in this posting. more...
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Five Star Fallacy
June 03, 2010
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A recent article on CBS Money Watch illustrates how some investors invest in Moringstar’s Five Star Ranked Funds (the highest Morningstar rating available) only to realize they’re late to the party. more...
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Greece Debt
May 26, 2010
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There have been more news stories written about Greece in the past month than in the entire 2009 year. No doubt, the Greece debt crisis is the main source of these stories. more...
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It Won't Last
April 16, 2010
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Long-time watchers of financial markets know that investors are always worrying about one thing or another. What's not often apparent is how quickly those worries are built into prices and how rapidly the narrative changes. more...
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2010 Estate Tax Issues
April 08, 2010
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The current uncertainty of future estate law makes today a great time to review your estate plan. more...
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Recent Market Activity in Perspective
March 26, 2010
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The US stock market has taken investors on a bumpy ride in recent years. This volatility has tested investor discipline and prompted some people to question their commitment to equities. While no one knows the future... more...
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Europe's Choice: Growth or Safety Net
March 25, 2010
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Calls for a European style economic system prevail among many politicians and citizens today. Want to see the future? Read the excellent article posted in the WSJ today, Europe’s Choice: Growth or Safety Net…. more...
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Brace for Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Increase
March 12, 2010
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When President Bush passed tax cuts in 2003 and 2006, the long-term capital gains rate decreased from 20% to 15% for a specified period of time. We are now approaching the end of those tax cuts this year and are faced with potentially higher capital gains rates than before. more...
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One Year after February 2009
March 04, 2010
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Close to a year ago from today, the market hit a low point...but no one really knew it. more...
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It Didn't Happen
March 03, 2010
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Remember in the summer of 2008 where oil hit $145 per barrel on its uninterrupted trek to $200 a barrel? more...
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Second Hand News
February 26, 2010
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Jim Parker, a Vice President at DFA Australia Limited, shares his thoughts on how reporting done by the media can sometimes distract investors who want to build long-term wealth. more...
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Unemployment. Biggest Problem
February 24, 2010
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Testifying before Congress today, Fed Chairman Mr. Bernanke confirmed that unemployment is the “biggest problem” facing our economy according to the Wall Street Journal (Bernanke Stresses Need for Low Rates). more...
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Rate Hike. Inflation Fighting?
February 19, 2010
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The Federal Reserve raised the discount rate by a quarter percent. The US consumer represents 70% of our economy. As long as there is... more...
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IRA Contributions - 2009 and 2010
February 12, 2010
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The IRA is a great tool to help you secure your financial future. To fully utilize the benefits of an IRA, it is important to make the maximum yearly contributions. There is still time to make a contribution for 2009 if you haven’t already done so and now is also good time to make your 2010 contribution. more...
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Day 2: Afternoon TD Ameritrade Speakers
February 05, 2010
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Ricky attended the TD Ameritrade Institutional National Conference in Orlando and below are highlights from day 2 afternoon speakers and sessions. This includes sessions on the psychology of a sale and trying to read client’s minds. more...
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Day 2: Morning TD Ameritrade Speakers
February 05, 2010
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Ricky attended the TD Ameritrade Institutional National Conference in Orlando and below are highlights from day 2 morning speakers and sessions. This includes a conversation with Terry Bradshaw and session on “dark pools”. more...
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Day 1: Recap of Morning TD Ameritrade Speakers
February 04, 2010
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Ricky attended the TD Ameritrade Institutional National Conference in Orlando and below are highlights from day 1 morning speakers. Most notably, President George W. Bush (43) and President Bill Clinton (42) shared the stage to offer insights and answer questions. more...
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Day 1: Recap of Afternoon TD Ameritrade Speakers
February 04, 2010
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Ricky attended the TD Ameritrade Institutional National Conference in Orlando and below are highlights from day 1 afternoon speakers and sessions. This includes a panel discussion with three large mutual fund managers and an update from the TD Bank president. more...
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Roth IRA Conversions
December 01, 2009
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There is a window of opportunity approaching next year that may offer you the chance to fund a Roth IRA that has been previously out of reach. This could be the only chance for many investors to make substantial changes to the tax status of their investments. more...
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Required Minimum Distributions Postponed This Year
November 17, 2009
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Many seniors are discovering that a new law titled The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 waives the Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) for 2009. Investors who are aged 70 ½ or older are not required to withdraw money from their IRAs. more...
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How to Check Out your Financial Advisor
November 03, 2009
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Bernie Madoff had it all. Besides stellar returns in his managed fund, posh lifestyle in New York City, and famed reputation, above all, his clients trusted him. Trust is something that comes as a result of performing smaller services well or from respected individuals. more...
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