Kim: Midterm election years challenging for stocks
A persistent seasonal anomaly for stocks is the “presidential cycle,” a pattern of performance coinciding with various years of a presidency.
Mickey Kim
Articles
Kim: Investors fleeing market as stocks hit record highs
It’s amazing how the 24/7 media bombardment of random noise and sound bites on the economy and markets has investors continually on tenterhooks. It seems Armageddon is always lurking around the corner.
Kim: Envy can be dangerous to your financial health
If your employer offered to double your salary, would you jump at the chance? In a rational world, you’d take that deal 100 times out of 100. However, you’ll probably be surprised to learn how we make a “no brainer” decision like this depends on whether someone else is involved.
Kim: What is insider trading? It’s time for clear answer
Illegal insider trading generally refers to buying or selling a stock, in breach of a duty of trust and confidence, while in possession of “material, non-public information” about the stock. This also can apply if the person possessing the information (the “tipper”) passes along the information to a “tippee,” who then trades the stock. Steve […]
Kim: Target-date funds simple, but one size doesn’t fit all
The popularity of target-date funds has attracted a bevy of providers fighting for market share, many trying to differentiate themselves by using unconventional strategies. This has led to wildly different performance for funds with the same target date.
Kim: Graduating from college entitles you to nothing
Despite your newly obtained degree, you don’t know anything. You have no skills. If you are really lucky, you will soon land your first job. You are not entitled to that job. If you get it, you should be grateful for your good fortune and make the most of it.
Kim: Analysis of 2012 NFL draft offers investment lessons
Slow and steady wins the race” is a value-investing mind-set that’s also applicable to building an NFL roster. Choose overlooked or undervalued prospects, not the Heisman Trophy winner or Twitter.
Kim: Human nature stands in way of earning robust returns
‘Behavior gap’ is the difference between what an average investment returns and what the average investor actually earns, because he or she can’t leave investments alone long enough for them to prosper.
Kim: How Amazon bullied its way into retail domination
In a 2013 cover story, Fortune magazine described Amazon as a “brass-knuckled battler for every penny of competitive advantage.” As state treasurers can attest, that portrayal is both well-deserved and important to understanding the rise of Amazon.
Kim: Investors must play to win to reach long-term goals
Whether an athletic contest or the “game” of investing, many factors determining whether we win or lose are beyond our control. However, we can control how we approach the game and respond as events unfold, which can be just as important.
Kim: Buffett’s farmland buy illustrates valued lessons
Warren Buffett’s annual letter to shareholders in Berkshire Hathaway’s annual report always contains timeless advice, useful in good times and bad. He told of two non-stock investments he made decades ago. Though relatively small and insignificant to his net worth, they illustrate important concepts.
Kim: Sports wagers illustrate concepts of investing
Sports betting wouldn’t be what it is today without an innovation by Charles K. McNeil. McNeil’s strong analytical ability enabled him to earn a living as a professional gambler, or “sharp.” His innovation was the “point spread.”
Kim: Lessons from global crisis painful but also valuable
Value investing can look foolish short term, but usually pays off long term.
Kim: Investors need not accept mediocrity of index funds
We’re old school investment managers and think having the objective of underperforming the market by a little bit is the very definition of mediocrity. We reject the notion it’s foolish to even try to outperform.
Kim: ‘David and Goliath’ offers lessons for business, life
At some point, you’re likely to face a competitor with vastly superior size, strength and resources. You’re the underdog, but if you’re willing to wage an unconventional battle, outwork your opponent and don’t fear social disapproval, victory can be yours.
KIM: New financial bet involves tickets to Super Bowl
Do you think the Indianapolis Colts will play in Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2? Would you love to join them, but don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars and multiples of face value on StubHub? You can purchase an option granting you the right to purchase a ticket to the Super Bowl at face value, if the Colts qualify.
Kim: Investors must sidestep unnecessary fund taxes
Mutual funds must conform to U.S. tax law to maintain their status, making this a tricky time of year for fund investors holding their shares in taxable accounts (i.e., not in 401(k) or IRA accounts).
Kim: Save your riskiest bets for play-money portfolio
Having a small “play money” portfolio can help fulfill your fantasy of making a quick killing without endangering your retirement funds.
Kim: Give gifts toward college rather than an Xbox One
An Indiana CollegeChoice 529 plan account is a gift that will last a lifetime, and, if you’re an Indiana resident, the state will pick up 20 percent of the cost.
Kim: Our failures pave way for a lifetime of success
Successful people’s paths are often littered with failures. It isn’t that they are immune to failure; it is how they react to and apply the lessons learned from their failures that ultimately leads to their success.