Executive Summary The stock market is setting a record today on more “hopes and dreams” and supported by cheers from financial media and politicians. Unfortunately, the economic data is diametrically opposed to the stock market moves. Below I summarize a smattering of economic data from a number [...]
Executive Summary The primary driver of stock price increases over the last ten years has been corporate stock buybacks. (See graphs below) The Federal Reserve monetary policy made short term interest rates low, and thus the availability of funds for stock purchases. This also helped drive earnings [...]
Are you prepared for the possibility – and expense – of eldercare? Do you have an extra $33,000 to $100,000 to spare this year? How about next year, and the year after that? Your answer to these questions is probably “no.” What could possibly cost [...]
Executive Summary Last week’s market volatility appears to have been in response to short-term noise instead of the market cycle. “Hope” has become an investment strategy; especially hope for a trade deal with China. Tweets touting a great deal or great progress sent the market higher. However, [...]
I am providing a link to The CPA Journal article, “CPAs’ Growing Role in Trust-Owned Life Insurance Planning” by: Chad L. Reyes and Robert J. Alder, September 8, 2016. Important excerpts from the article are provided below: “It is incumbent upon CPAs advising such individuals to ask [...]
What kind of financial loss would your business face without its key employees? They are worth more than their salaries – their performance, professionalism, and character make your company what it is and provide the stability and predictability you need to realize a profit. Because of [...]
Executive Summary If you do not have time to read the entire Weekly Market Update, looking at the first chart is a must. The data points, the direction, rate of change and trend columns are somewhat alarming. The next two graphs show data regarding manufacturing and service [...]
Executive Summary Are investors being duped into believing that low interest rates justify higher stock valuations? Are they being told that high stock prices are the result of a strong economic recovery? In this week’s newsletter, I explain the fallacy of low interest rates, and how central [...]
Executive Summary Over the course of history, corporate fundamental performance and the resulting market cycle have mattered to investors. However, in the last ten years investors appear to have relied more on central bank policies and “hope” for their investment strategies. Central banks across the world have [...]
Executive Summary History shows economic cycles always have two parts: the bull and bear phases. In a little over the last twenty years alone, two economic cycles have demonstrated this fact. For investors, the bull phase is not the only important piece of the cycle. Long-term returns [...]