KIM: Did you pass or fail February’s market test?
Pundits blamed the correction on fears over rising inflation/interest rates, a more “hawkish” Fed, and the breakdown of a misused option product used to place leveraged bets on market volatility.
Investing Column
Articles
SKARBECK: Investors finally realizing hedge funds are shaky bet
When you consider that hedge-fund fees are often spread around among a host of “placement agents, you begin to understand why the hedge-fund industry has grown to near $3 trillion.
‘Philly Special’ a recipe for Super Bowl—and investing—success
No situation illustrates both the benefit of analytics and curse of conventional wisdom than whether to “go for it” on fourth down in football.
SKARBECK: Volatility gives investors reality check on expectations
In the 15 months after the presidential election, the stock market rose as if it were on rails. As the calendar turned to February, market volatility returned with a vengeance.
KIM: ‘Breaking Bad’ provides valuable business lessons
Aside from tremendous pure entertainment value, “Breaking Bad” taught important business and investing lessons.
SKARBECK: Stock markets overseas may have more upside
With the United States perhaps in the later stages of an extended bull market, many pundits expect international and emerging stocks to outperform domestic stocks going forward.
KIM: Tipping’s role in society perpetuates class system
The practice of tipping is ingrained in American culture but is a huge can of worms.
SKARBECK: Don’t let fear of missing out drive investment decisions
As stocks close in on completing the ninth year of the bull market, the recently enacted tax reform plan has acted as an accelerant. The reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent will add significantly to company profits. A key question is whether the lower tax rate will translate to […]
KIM: Focus on the ‘signal,’ ignore the ‘noise’
Headlines and talking heads are noise to be ignored.
SKARBECK: Rebalancing portfolio not always best option
In the current market environment, the enterprising investor would say year-end auto rebalancers are making the mistake of selling highly valued stocks, only to buy even more overpriced bonds.
KIM: Don’t let Bitcoin turn you into the ‘greater fool’
“Greed,” “envy” and “pride” are three of the seven deadly sins, inflating not only the current bubble in Bitcoin but all the bubbles that came before and will follow.
SKARBECK: Some new ETF products are downright wacky
ETFs can be designed to track any index or concept you can dream up. Today, a degree of silliness is showing up in many of the new ETF product offerings.
COAN: Six end-of-year moves investors should consider
The end of 2017 is fast approaching, and it is a great time to do some financial housekeeping.
SKARBECK: Patrick Industries soars after surviving recession
A great example of a management team that skillfully navigated the brutal economy of 2008-2009 and, over the ensuing nine years, grew a spectacular business is Elkhart’s Patrick Industries.
KIM: Gifts for college education easier to make than ever
Instead of getting sucked into Black Friday’s vortex of excessive holiday consumerism, consider giving a gift that will last a lifetime.
SKARBECK: Identify good management for successful investing
While financial statements provide the numbers used to value a business, management policies are more subjective, and it takes time to determine whether their strategies were effective.
KIM: Mutual fund distributions are a risk you can avoid
Taxable shareholders should avoid buying shares of a fund in front of a large distribution. The last thing you want is to buy into a fund and pay taxes on a distribution you did not enjoy in any way.
SKARBECK: Constant buying, selling of stocks makes no sense
If you owned a small manufacturing business here in town, would you be looking to sell it in a few months to buy a restaurant, only to tire of that soon and sell to purchase a software company?
SKARBECK: Obsession with short term is hurting our economy
Large investors and academics believe companies are not investing enough into their businesses, partly because of pressure on management to hit quarterly numbers.
KIM: Review timeless truths before next market ‘crisis’
Reviews Ben Carlson’s “obvious truths” about investing in times of relative calm