Why Lock in Longer-Term Rates?
It’s good to be a saver right now. For the first time in years, investors are being paid a competitive rate to hold cash and other short term fixed rate investments. Many investors are starting to question why they should lock in longer-term rates at all with short term rates being higher. There are several […]
The Greening of Wall Street
The green revolution is upon us. Like it or not, the world is shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewables. Solar and wind farms are sprouting up across the globe. The major car companies are phasing out gas-powered vehicles and transitioning to hybrids or plug-ins. And the Biden administration has announced major green initiatives to […]
Real Estate is Booming? Is a Bust Ahead?
Anyone looking to buy or sell a home lately has probably been hit by sticker shock. Residential real estate prices have gone through the roof, increasing at rates unseen since 2005. According to S&P Case-Shiller, home prices in March saw their highest annual rate of growth in over 15 years — up 13.2% from a […]
Is Inflation on the Horizon?
The specter of inflation has long been absent from the American economy. In fact, inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has remained below 4% since 2008, has averaged only 1.74% in the past 10 years, and came in at a tepid 1.36% for 2020.1 Rather than inflation, policy makers in recent years […]
Growth vs. Value: Two Approaches to Stock Investing
Growth vs. Value: Two Approaches to Stock Investing For growth stock investors, it’s been a heady time. Growth stocks recorded a total return of 33.5% for the year ended December 31, 2020, significantly eclipsing value’s 1.4% showing. And over the past five years, growth has outperformed value by an average of over 8 percentage points.1 […]
Should Investors Worry About Federal Debt?
The National Debt Is at Record Levels. Should Investors Be Concerned? For years, the mounting federal debt burden has been a major point of contention between political parties, economists, and fiscal planners. Some claim the escalating debt is a time bomb — a mortgage on America’s future. Others see it as justifiable and sustainable […]
Irrational Exuberance: Stocks and the Economy
Stocks and the Economy: Irrational Exuberance When Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan made his famous pronouncement on the stock market back in 1996, the economy was strong and the Internet bubble was just starting to inflate. In fact, “irrational exuberance” would seem to be a more fitting label for today’s market. Between March 23 and […]
Thinking of Timing the Market?
Thinking of Timing the Market? Volatility is back and so is the idea of timing the market. The sustained rally that produced 30%+ gains in the S&P 500 in 2019 and continued into 2020 came to an abrupt halt in late February, when fears of the new coronavirus epidemic and its effects on the economy […]
Income Investing? Think Dividends
Income Investing? Think Dividends It used to be, investors seeking steady income turned exclusively to bonds, whose regular interest payments provided a dependable income source, especially for retirees. But times have changed. With many retirements today lasting 30 years or more, income investors need to make sure their savings keep pace with inflation and last […]
Brush Up On Your IRA Facts
If you are opening an individual retirement account (IRA) for the first time or need a refresher course on the specifics of IRA ownership, here are some facts for your consideration. IRAs in America IRAs continue to play an increasingly prominent role in the retirement saving and investment strategies of Americans. According to the Investment […]