Unlike bond prices, which tend to go down when yields go up, stock prices might rise or fall with changes in interest rates. Should stock investors worry about changes in interest rates? Research shows that, like stock prices, changes in interest rates and bond prices are largely unpredictable.[1] It follows that an investment strategy based upon attempting to exploit these sorts of changes isn't likely to be a fruitful endeavor. Despite the unpredictable nature of interest rate changes, … [Read more...] about When Rates Go Up, Do Stocks Go Down?
The Uncertainty Paradox
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one. —Voltaire "The market hates uncertainty" has been a common enough saying in recent years, but how logical is it? There are many different aspects to uncertainty, some that can be measured and some that cannot. Uncertainty is an unchangeable condition of existence. As individuals, we can feel more or less uncertain, but that is a distinctly human phenomenon. Rather than ebbing and flowing with investor sentiment, … [Read more...] about The Uncertainty Paradox
Q1 2017 Market Review Posted
You've lived through 90 days of financial headlines and speculation of what's to come. Enjoy a few minutes of thoughtful reflection with our Q1 2017 Market Review. This report features world capital market performance and a timeline of events for the past quarter. It begins with a global overview, then features the returns of stock and bond asset classes in the US and international markets. Our Market Reviews are updated quarterly and always available on our Home Page. … [Read more...] about Q1 2017 Market Review Posted
Evolution of Financial Research: The Profitability Premium
Since the 1950s, there have been numerous breakthroughs in the field of financial economics that have benefited both society and investors. One early example, resulting from research in the 1950s, is the insight that diversification can increase an investor's wealth. Another example, resulting from research in the 1960s, is that market prices contain up-to-the-minute, relevant information about an investment's expected return and risk. This means that market prices provide our best estimate of … [Read more...] about Evolution of Financial Research: The Profitability Premium
Protecting Your Identity, Data, and Assets: How You Can Protect Your Data
IDENTITY THEFT IS EVERYONE'S PROBLEM WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR DATA BE STRATEGIC WITH USERNAMES/PASSWORDS DO: Create passwords that are long and strong, using 8-12 characters, upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Use a unique password for each account to prevent a quick and invasive attack on all of your accounts, known as credential replay. Change your password often. (General rule of thumb: Change passwords every 90 days.) Where available, … [Read more...] about Protecting Your Identity, Data, and Assets: How You Can Protect Your Data
Protecting Your Identity, Data, and Assets: Understanding Cyber Threats
When it comes to cybercrime, it's not a matter of if, but when: At Scottsdale Wealth Planning, your security is our priority. In Part 1 of our series Protecting Your Identity, Data, and Assets, we identify common cyber threats you should be aware of. COMMON CYBER THREATS EMAIL ACCOUNT TAKEOVER What is it? A cybercriminal hacks an email account and reads emails to learn about the victim and their habits so they can pose as the victim to steal money. What does it look … [Read more...] about Protecting Your Identity, Data, and Assets: Understanding Cyber Threats