Yes, No, Maybe
Have you ever met or approached a professional at a social event and been tempted to ask a personal question that relates specifically to your circumstances? Whether it’s from a physician, attorney or CPA, insight from professionals benefits us all when we need assistance in their field of expertise. While you may be reluctant to […]
Read ArticleA European Political Earthquake That’s Felt at Home
Like many of you, our team had a wonderful time celebrating the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Growing up, the Fourth seemed mostly about barbecues, friends, hanging out at the pool, and fireworks. As we get older, we tend to better appreciate what Independence Day really means. We have a degree of freedom in our […]
Read ArticleWhat Does Brexit Mean to U.S. Investors?
By: Tom O’Connor, WorthPointe Financial Planner · Los Angeles, Orange County CA IN THIS ARTICLE: 1) Britain has voted to leave the European Union. Could this be the start of a protectionist trend? What would this mean for investors? 2) Hours after the vote, stocks were down slightly. Gold and long-term U.S. bonds were up slightly. Should we get in on […]
Read ArticleWelcome to Brexit
Yesterday’s vote by the British electorate to end its 43-year membership in the European Union seems to have taken just about everybody by surprise, but the aftermath could not have been more predictable. The uncertainty of how, exactly, Europe and Britain will manage a complex divorce over the coming decade sent global markets reeling. London’s […]
Read ArticleSummer’s Hot Issues
On May 21, 2015, the S&P 500 Index closed at 2,130.82, an all-time closing high for this broad measure of 500 large U.S. companies. In the year since, it has failed to recapture that level. It’s not uncommon for the major indexes to go through periods where gains are elusive or we experience unwanted volatility. […]
Read ArticleWhy We Buy What We Buy
Last month, we wrote about stocks and how the collective wisdom of the market values, or prices, companies. Continuing on with that theme, it’s important to understand why we may recommend a particular stock, bond, or any investment for one person, and why that same security may not be appropriate for another. In some ways, […]
Read ArticleHow the New DOL Fiduciary Rules May Help Investors — or Not
For many months, Wall Street brokers have been complaining about how badly they would be hurt by potential new rules that would require them to at least sometimes work just a little more in the best interest of their clients. Naturally, when the Department of Labor recently announced the new rules, it did so with […]
Read ArticleCalmer Waters Are Welcome
Probably the simplest reasons anyone invests in stocks are to make money (capital gains), generate income (dividends), or some combination of the two. Of course, that really is putting it in the simplest of terms. Many of you have chosen to follow our recommendations to place a portion of your nest egg in a diversified […]
Read ArticleHow to Lose at Investing: Follow Your Gut
Financial Planning magazine reported that its “perceived risk-tolerance level” barometer had dropped 7 points from January to 27.9 in February — the lowest level since its inception. This barometer seeks to measure clients’ (or self-directed investors’) appetite for risk. In looking at the readings over the last 12 months, it’s very easy to understand why […]
Read ArticleAgainst The Wind
Recession or no recession Recently, the focus for investors has been all over the map: Oil prices Corporate earnings The global economy China’s economy China’s currency (the yuan) Anxieties about banks (especially in Europe) The Federal Reserve’s next move Global central banks that may be running out of ammunition to counter economic weakness Emerging market […]
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