BTN Research recently pointed out the worst day for the S&P 500 last year generated a loss of 3.6% which was a greater loss than the worst year for the bond market at any time over the last 40 years (1977 -2016). That statistic points out the usefulness of an allocation to fixed income categories […]
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Weekly Update 01-17-17
The market predictions for 2017 are out. One of our resolutions for each year should be to remind ourselves to take these exciting forecasts with a grain of salt. For an example of the lack of value in these calendar year predictions, one need look back just eight years to the beginning of 2008. The […]
Read MoreWeekly Update 01-09-17
The first four trading days of January got the market off to a good start for the year and the January Barometer followers are again touting the success of their indicator. Proponents claim since 1950, the direction of the market for the year has been predicted by the direction of the market during the month […]
Read MoreWeekly Update 01-02-17
When the Federal Estate Tax exemption amount rose above the old $600,000 per person level (the 2017 exemption amount will be $5.49 million per person), many individuals erroneously decided revocable trusts were no longer necessary in their estate plans. There are many reasons not related to estate taxes for considering a revocable living trust in […]
Read MoreWeekly Update 12-27-16
In the interesting but useless facts category, we have the following: “Santa Claus tends to come to Wall Street nearly every year, bringing a short, sweet, respectable rally within the last five days of the year and the first two in January. This has been good for an average 1.4% gain since 1969 (1.4% since […]
Read MoreQ & A : IRA ROLLOVERS
A recent report from the GAO suggests that IRAs are becoming an increasingly important element of retirement security. An estimated 43 million taxpayers have IRAs, worth an estimated $5.2 trillion. Some 42.3 million of these IRAs are worth less than $1 million each, and 800,000 are worth more. 314 taxpayers have IRAs worth $25 million […]
Read MoreI NEED PROTECTION FOR MY 401(K) DISTRIBUTION
Dear Employee Benefit Officer: When I retire in about a year, I’m expecting a six-figure distribution from my employer’s 401(k) plan. The success of my retirement turns on what I do with this money, and I’m more than a little unsettled by the prospect. What should I do to keep my all my options open? […]
Read MoreARE YOU A LIVING TRUST CANDIDATE?
Any comprehensive review of an older person’s financial planning is likely to touch upon the value of a revocable living trust for investment management. THE TRUST APPROACH provides a great tool for delegating investment responsibility into experienced hands without giving up control of assets. Anyone with a substantial portfolio should consider a trust and the […]
Read MoreWeekly Update 12-19-16
One of the financial writers I follow began his Wednesday afternoon post with the headline, “The Fed didn’t tighten today”. Scott Grannis, retired economist and financial professional, summarized current interest rates and the Fed’s long awaited rate decision better than I can: The Fed increased its target short-term interest rate today to 0.75%, but that […]
Read MoreWeekly Update 12-05-2016
The S&P 500 price return as of December 9 was up 5.6% since the election and 10.55% for the year to date. The yield on the 10-Year Treasury also rose again last week finishing at 2.46%. The week ahead will be busy and includes the Fed’s FOMC meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. We remain focused […]
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