You've lived through 90 days of alarming financial headlines and wild speculation of what's to come. Enjoy a few minutes of thoughtful reflection with our Q4 2016 Market Review. Included is the 2016 Annual Market Review. This report features world capital market performance and a timeline of events for the past quarter and total year 2016. 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 … [Read more...] about Q4 2016 Market Review Posted
New Market Highs and Positive Expected Returns
There has been much discussion in the news recently about new nominal highs in stock indices like the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500. When markets hit new highs, is that an indication that it's time for investors to cash out? History tells us that a market index being at an all-time high generally does not provide actionable information for investors. For evidence, we can look at the S&P 500 Index for the better part of the last century. Exhibit 1 shows that from 1926 … [Read more...] about New Market Highs and Positive Expected Returns
How to Respond to a Data Breach
Time is of the essence, whether your personal data has been compromised as part of a larger targeted cyberattack, or you are the victim of an individual cybercrime. You'll need to take immediate action to minimize the impacts. These are steps Scottsdale Wealth Planning recommends to clients within specified timeframes after discovering their data has been breached. WITHIN THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS Contact Scottsdale Wealth Planning by email or by telephone at 480 550-8555, regardless of … [Read more...] about How to Respond to a Data Breach
The Fed, Yields, and Expected Returns
On December 14, 2016, the Federal Open Market Committee (Fed) concluded its final meeting for the year and announced its decision to raise the federal funds target rate from its range of 0.25%-0.50% to 0.50%-0.75%. As we have mentioned before, Fed watching is a favorite pastime for many market participants who often presume that Fed actions will lead to specific market outcomes. On December 16, 2015, the Fed raised the federal funds target rate for the first time since 2006. As a result, some … [Read more...] about The Fed, Yields, and Expected Returns
Prediction Season
The close of each calendar year brings with it the holidays as well as a chance to look forward to the year ahead. In the coming weeks, investors are likely to be bombarded with predictions about what the future, and specifically the next year, may hold for their portfolios. These outlooks are typically accompanied by recommended investment strategies and actions that are aimed at trying to avoid the next crisis or missing out on the next "great" opportunity. When faced with recommendations … [Read more...] about Prediction Season
Q3 Market Review Posted
You've lived through 90 days of alarming financial headlines and wild speculation of what's to come. Enjoy a few minutes of thoughtful reflection with our latest Quarterly 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. Updated quarterly and always available on our Home Page. Click HERE to … [Read more...] about Q3 Market Review Posted