In an uncertain world, does any timeless investment wisdom exist that can guide one forward? Conversations with clients this week triggered consideration of a few pearls picked up over the years that are well-worth re-consideration. Wisdom from Peter Bernstein. The late Peter Bernstein was a financial historian, prolific author, and the head of his own
What is an investor to do in the face of mounting evidence of an overvalued market? This question was posed by a handful of clients this week in response to last week’s blog highlighting that investors currently are downplaying risk; that several valuation measures are flashing caution warnings; and that investors should be prepared for
March 9th marked the five year anniversary of the current bull market. Memory of the previous bear market is a distant recollection to some. 2013 saw the S&P 500 jump 32 percent and the Nasdaq jump 40 percent while corporate earnings barely increased. U.S. equity indices recently hit record highs. This week we examine reasons
During the streak of bad weather this winter some concern was expressed that the economy would lose steam. Despite the bad weather, the economy managed to produce a decent number of jobs in February. We address Friday’s jobs report and what it means. We’ve had a number of questions posed recently about the size of
My Dad passed away last week from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. I first wrote of our family’s journey with Alzheimer’s in the August 14 blog [click here] and then again last week [click here]. In this final chapter, I share a few more lessons we have learned in our journey that can be applied universally.
My Dad—a retired pastor—has Alzheimer’s disease. I first wrote about our family’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease in the August 14 blog [click here]. Now, further along the road less traveled, a few lessons have been learned that are worth sharing. 1. Believing the disease is easily managed is wishful thinking. “Beyond natural reactions to the
One of the recurring themes at conferences in the last year has been the shale gas revolution, and in particular, its larger global impact. The revolution in oil and gas –known as “fracking”—has led the International Energy Agency to estimate the U.S. will surpass Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world’s top oil producer by
Just as one cold wave follows another this winter, waves of market volatility have become the norm in 2014. Do the waves of volatility forecast a change in the investment climate, or is it just a naturally recurring market rhythm? Based on our readings, seasonal volatility does not appear to be a precursor of a
Markets have been choppy since the page turned to another year. Uncertainty about the withdrawal of economic stimulus by the Federal Reserve, the pace of economic growth, and the potential for contagion spreading from emerging markets have been leading causes. This week we examine these issues as they relate to one another. We believe reasons
Janet Yellen takes the helm of the Federal Reserve February 1. She will be the first female head of the Central Bank. Just what kind of leader will she be? That’s the question we ask this week. She is a first rate academic uniquely qualified to address the current labor market malaise. She cares more