PBS recently aired a Frontline show entitled The Retirement Gamble, profiling the 401(k) industry. If you missed it, it can be viewed here. Polemic in tone, the show is highly critical of the country’s evolution from defined benefit pension plans toward defined contribution 401(k) type plans, and in particular the culture of the industry that […]
A Commentary on the PBS Show The Retirement Gamble Read More »
Following up on my 1st Quarter Client Note, I am providing a more robust and detailed review of the world capital market performance, graciously provided by our friends at Dimensional Fund Advisors. Attached is their Quarterly Market Review. The report includes: a global overview, timeline of events, and the returns of asset classes in both US and
1st Quarter 2013 Market Review Read More »
Reflecting relief from the New Year’s Eve (at least temporary) avoidance of the “fiscal cliff,” equity markets continued their strong recovery from the financial crisis of 2008. Economic activity in the US also continued to pick up, albeit at a slow pace. (On average, although fairly volatile from quarter-to-quarter, GDP continues to grow at about
1st Quarter Client Note Read More »
True investors know how to replace the heroic hope of speculation with long-term, structured strategy. You can avoid the heroics by building and maintaining an investment portfolio guided by your personal goals and the robust evidence on how markets have delivered long-term returns.
Investment Portfolio Construction for Heroes Read More »
Questions whirling around such global and fundamental issues as how the Eurozone and Greece will hammer out an agreement and the on-going uncertainty of the U.S. political scene in this presidential election year led to modest domestic declines and even greater declines in the international markets.
2nd Quarter Client Note Read More »
The Vanguard Group announces it is abandoning active management in favor of an all passive approach in two of its most popular strategies.
Less Active is More Productive When Vanguard Gets More Passive Read More »
The S & P 500 index was down 13.90 % during the quarter, the worst quarter since the financial panic of 2008. The S & P 500 (US large cap stocks) was actually among the better performers of risky asset classes. Small caps were down 22% and international stocks fell 19.6%. On the other hand,
3rd Quarter Client Note Read More »
Now that some of the dust is starting to settle from the debt ceiling crisis, it’s a good time for long-term investors to take stock of lessons learned. The lessons are not new ones: having realistic principles to guide your portfolio is still the best hedge against volatility and chaos. And, in the broad scheme of things, it helps to keep your investments in perspective.
The Debt Crisis, Volatility and Long-Term Investors Read More »
Here is my client note accompanying 3rd quarter 2009 portfolio reports, discussing the continued turnaround in the markets.
3rd Quarter 2009 Client Note Read More »
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