In our January write-up, we typically begin by reviewing the previous year. Last year proved to be one of the most difficult years in a while. At Bill Few Associates, we preach diversification. Our belief is that when you hold a diversified portfolio, at least some portion of your portfolio is working at all times. […]
Author Archive | Mike Kauffelt II, CFA, Co-Chief Investment Officer
Financial Market Commentary – 3rd Quarter of 2018
It’s All a Matter of Perspective! As US equities enter into the longest bull market for stocks in modern history, the question I have been asked most frequently is, what happens next? Is a stock market crash imminent, or is this bull market different and capable of running even longer? If my crystal ball […]
2017 in Review and 2018 Forward
By Mike Kauffelt II, CFA, Co-Chief Investment Officer on January 10, 2018 in Financial Market Update
Worry, Worry, Worry and nothing to show for it! Last year will go down as a year where I worried the most about the financial markets and in hindsight, will have to wonder why I bothered. From January to December, almost every day was better than the day before. Worrying about a modest pullback seemed […]
2017 3rd Quarter Update – Good News, Bad News, Lots of Bad News
I spent the better part of the past weekend deciding what to write for this update. Originally, it was going to focus on how the markets have been ignoring bad news and delivering good results for the year. I was also going to make this update as brief as possible. I know there are many […]
The Beat Goes On – 2017 Mid-Year Financial Markets Review
“The beat goes on, the beat goes on. Drums keep pounding rhythm to the brain. La de da de de, la de da de da.” Those lyrics were written by Sonny Bono and sung by Sonny and Cher in 1967. I was only five years old then; my young parents were only 26. This record […]
Like Watching a NASCAR Race? — 3rd Quarter Financial Market Update
By Mike Kauffelt II, CFA, Co-Chief Investment Officer on October 5, 2016 in Financial Market Update, In the News
NASCAR is America’s biggest spectator sport in terms of attendance. For those unfamiliar with the sport, it is a form of auto racing. Its roots come from the rural south where moonshiners needed fast cars and fast drivers to transport their illegal cargo; maybe even to outrun the law on occasion. Today’s NASCAR is now […]
Xanax in the Financial Markets?
By Mike Kauffelt II, CFA, Co-Chief Investment Officer on September 12, 2016 in 2016 Updates, In the News
Xanax is a prescription drug that helps with anxiety and depression. It can help calm someone who is anxious or worried. I suspect the US financial markets have been taking big doses of this drug since the Brexit vote in England back in June. Per a news story in Barron’s, the S&P 500 has gone […]
Election Update—Keep Calm and Carry On
Never in my thirty years as an investment manager have I sensed as much anguish over a presidential election as this year. I have heard from many of you very strong opinions of dire economic results, regardless of who wins. My hope with writing this update is to calm some of those fears and give […]
What affect would negative interest rates in the U.S. have on investors?
As published in “Financial Focus – Down The Rabbit Hole” in the summer 2016 issue of Pittsburgh Quarterly magazine. What affect would negative interest rates in the U.S. have on investors? Potential Impact of Negative Interest Rates An often-misattributed quote is, “compound interest is the greatest invention of mankind.” Whoever deserves credit for the quote […]
1st Quarter Update 2016 – Correction Over?
If, by chance, you ignored any business media for the past ninety days, you would probably be bored by the news that the S&P 500 Index was up less than one percent in price appreciation (excluding dividends) for the first quarter of 2016. However, you would have missed one heck of a ride during the […]