Category: Market Perspectives

Notes from the Road

Greg, Jeremiah, Ray and I are just returning from a two day investment forum in Manhattan, NY hosted by the Investment Solutions Group (GIS) at HighTower.  Over these last couple of days, we had the opportunity to hear from third party economists, investment strategists and portfolio managers from firms like Blackrock, Strategas, Doubleline and Gotham… Continue reading Notes from the Road

Mid Year Market Update

So far this year the global markets have taken us on quite the roller coaster ride. Markets seem to just keep creeping higher and higher, much like that first hill of a roller coaster ride. Sitting in the back seat you have no idea when the coaster will crest the hill and begin it’s descent.… Continue reading Mid Year Market Update

Bracing for Impact?

“Far more money has been lost by investors preparing for corrections, or trying to anticipate corrections, than has been lost in corrections themselves.” That quote is from the famed mutual fund manager Peter Lynch in interview with Frontline in the mid-1990s. Lynch is widely considered to be one of the most successful mutual fund managers… Continue reading Bracing for Impact?

Preventing Emotional Erosion in Your Portfolio

A Google search of “investing and emotions” quickly returns a list of articles that all suggest that emotions and investing do not mix.  However, emotions are a valuable part of the human element when it comes to investing.  As I’ve done investment research over the years I’ve found that the “gut instinct” can be a… Continue reading Preventing Emotional Erosion in Your Portfolio

Continued Uncertainty

Last week the Fed announced they would not raise rates. While this decision did not surprise us, the rationale for not raising rates was unexpected. The Fed cited a lack of inflation; strength of the dollar and global economic concerns as their reason to hold off rather than focusing on the US labor market and… Continue reading Continued Uncertainty

In the Face of Rising Rates, Don’t Run Away from Bonds

Even in a rising rate environment, a core allocation to fixed income still reduces overall risk in the portfolio and can provide reasonable returns. With all of the headlines and attention given to Federal Reserve FOMC meetings, it may seem like the slightest increase in rates would spell disaster for bond holders.  After all, when… Continue reading In the Face of Rising Rates, Don’t Run Away from Bonds

It’s All About Earnings

With the S&P 500 and NASDAQ touching record levels in the past two weeks, many investors are asking themselves what factors are in place to drive stock higher? Corporate earnings have always been an important contributing factor in supporting stock prices.  The bull market of the past five years has been supported by earning increases… Continue reading It’s All About Earnings

Will Market Uncertainty from Q1 Lead Us to a Roller Coaster Ride for Q2?

There are a number of results from the first quarter of the year that are creating some uncertainty in how the markets will react for the balance of 2015. The Strength of the US dollar:  In March the US dollar reached 1.05 USD/EUR, which is a level that it has not seen in more than… Continue reading Will Market Uncertainty from Q1 Lead Us to a Roller Coaster Ride for Q2?