Initial public offerings (IPOs) often attract initial public interest—especially when familiar brands become broadly available to investors for the first time. In recent months, investors have had the opportunity to buy shares of ride-hailing networks Uber and Lyft, workplace productivity services Zoom and Slack, and other high-profile businesses ranging from Pinterest to Beyond Meat. News outlets contribute to the frenzy, building anticipation, tracking the early hours of trading, … [Read more...] about IPOs: Profiles Are High. What About Returns?
Timing Isn’t Everything
Attempting to buy individual stocks or make tactical asset allocation changes at exactly the "right" time presents investors with substantial challenges. Over the course of a summer, it's not unusual for the stock market to be a topic of conversation at barbecues or other social gatherings. A neighbor or relative might ask about which investments are good at the moment. The lure of getting in at the right time or avoiding the next downturn may tempt even disciplined, long-term investors. … [Read more...] about Timing Isn’t Everything
The Randomness of Global Equity Returns
You don't have to be an expert in every region to benefit from the opportunities those regions represent. A well-structured portfolio can help capture returns where and when they occur. Investment opportunities exist all around the globe. Across more than 40 countries, there are over 15,000 publicly traded companies.[1] If you listen to the news, however, some countries may seem like better places to invest than others based on how their economies and stock markets are doing at the … [Read more...] about The Randomness of Global Equity Returns
David Booth on Market Volatility
When people act like the sky is falling, it's helpful to remember that volatility is normal, and there are simple things you can do to pursue a better investment experience. Recently, the market has shown a lot of volatility. This can be unnerving, even when you have a solid plan backed up by an investment philosophy you believe in. Most of the time, it feels great to know that if you're a long-term investor, you can go about your life with the confidence that true conviction … [Read more...] about David Booth on Market Volatility
The Uncommon Average
"I have found that the importance of having an investment philosophy—one that is robust and that you can stick with— cannot be overstated. David Booth The US stock market has delivered an average annual return of around 10% since 1926.[1] But short-term results may vary, and in any given period stock returns can be positive, negative, or flat. When setting expectations, it's helpful to see the range of outcomes experienced by investors historically. For example, how often … [Read more...] about The Uncommon Average
The Index Bogeyman
The argument that increased usage of index funds may be distorting market prices hinges on the premise that indexing reduces the efficacy of price discovery. But should the rise of index funds be a cause of concern for investors? Over the last several years, index funds have received increased attention from investors and the financial media. Some have even made claims that the increased usage of index funds may be distorting market prices. For many, this argument hinges on the premise … [Read more...] about The Index Bogeyman