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Quarterly Thoughts – Q3 2013
Consider focusing where you can make an impact, in terms of your life goals and financial goals. The simplicity of this diagram is profound. The world around us is complex and full of “noise,” both statistical and theatrical (e.g. TV news, etc.). The senses are bombarded with eye and ear-catching attempts to grab your attention. The challenge is to remain focused on what counts. Insufficient focus leads to distraction and…
Quarterly Thoughts – Q2 2013
In investing, “normal” is an elusive idea. Long-term average returns are relevant for planning, but rarely does a stock market calendar year return fall within a range of 2 percentage points around the average. If “normal” does exist in the stock and bond markets, it can be loosely defined as a predictably unpredictable sequence of short-term economic events, followed by investor over-reaction and the ensuing volatile returns in the market….
Quarterly Thoughts – Q1 2013
Market Volatility is the norm, not the exception. Yearly, we provide an updated version of the enclosed Periodic Table of Investment Returns. Given the recent global financial crisis and partial recovery market experience, the table is particularly timely, as it provides a broader perspective. This chart is a powerful visual demonstration of the unpredictability of investment returns across major asset classes, and indirectly illustrates the importance of diversification, discipline, rebalancing…
Quarterly Thoughts – Q4 2012
Despite the sluggish economy and the general perception that there has been limited progress after the global financial crisis, most stock markets rose 16% to 20% for the year, some market indices are now recording new highs, and the current U.S. stock market recovery, adjusted for inflation, is on track to be the fastest recovery amongst those that followed the four worst market crashes of all time. While this may…
Year-end 2012
Year-end is often a time of reflection and gratitude. Recent events make that difficult, but not impossible… The Sandy Hook tragedy makes our hearts ache. But, our hearts will not break, having seen the overwhelming response to the victims’ families and the possibility of the positive changes which may result from the experience. WealthStep’s mission is to influence and facilitate positive changes in the lives of our clients and in…
Quarterly Thoughts – Q3 2012
What does “safe” mean? When driving car or playing baseball, the answer is generally clear. When investing, the answer is less obvious. To get where you want to go financially, it is critical to properly frame the problem, by asking the right questions: safe “from what risk?” and “when?” Safe from volatility risk? Or interest rate risk? If so, at the expense of inflation risk (i.e. purchasing power)? Longevity risk…
Quarterly Thoughts – Q2 2012
Are you in the panic group or the profit group? Often times, the discomfort of sea or motion sickness can be avoided or reduced by keeping one’s eyes on the horizon. Similarly, keeping a long-term focus can reduce “emotion sickness” of the investor kind. Anticipating and managing such discomfort is paramount, because an investor’s ability to focus on the goal rather than on short-term disturbances can impact the timing and…
Quarterly Thoughts – Q1 2012
Are you taking the right or wrong risks? Inflation is one of the various and worst risks investors must consider in the long-run. Inflation is currently lower than historical averages due, in part, to the slow economic recovery. However, the prices of goods and services tend, eventually, to rise after a period of eased or stimulative government “monetary policy,” such as we have seen in recent years. Regardless of short-term…