ReShelle Barrett, CFP® Most investors believe that owning bonds means an investment with low or no risk. However, bond investments are inherently exposed to certain risks including interest rate risk. And according to most recent comments by the Federal Reserve Board, there is likely at least one interest rate increase on the agenda for this […]
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Like Watching a NASCAR Race? — 3rd Quarter Financial Market Update
Financial Market Update, In the NewsNASCAR 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?
In the NewsXanax 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 […]
How Will the Markets React to the Election?
In the NewsReShelle Barrett, CFP® I tend to get the question “How will the market react if so-and-so wins” often in presidential election years. If I had a crystal ball (and I have one on my desk but it actually only looks pretty), I would be able to answer that question. Even with historical statistics, no one […]
Election Update—Keep Calm and Carry On
In the NewsNever 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?
In the NewsAs 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?
In the NewsIf, 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 […]
Inheriting an IRA
Estate Planning, In the NewsReShelle Barrett, CFP® The term “IRA” tends to be used fairly loosely. Although most investors know that it means individual retirement account (or sometimes annuity), many don’t realize there are multiple types of IRAs which are similar on one hand but can be very different on the other. Types of IRAs include traditional, Roth, SIMPLE, […]
2015 in Review and a Look Ahead to 2016
Financial Market Update, Market UpdateLike Treading Water Last year, the returns for most financial investment categories were flat to mildly negative. For a well-diversified portfolio of investments, the lack of progress for 2015 felt like treading water; basically going nowhere. I am sure most of you know how to swim and to tread water. Treading water takes a lot […]
Quarterly Update: Now is the Time to Ask Why
Market UpdateOctober 6, 2015 Mike Kauffelt, Chief Investment Officer As I am sure most of you have noticed, over the past six weeks, the stock markets have had a difficult time. In the third quarter of this year, every major stock index in the US and internationally had a negative return. This pullback in stock performance has […]
