Dimensional Fund Advisors's 2018 analysis of US-based mutual funds shows that only a small percentage of funds have outperformed industry benchmarks after costs—and among top-ranked funds based on past results, only a small percentage have repeated their past success. … [Read more...] about From Dimensional: Do Mutual Funds Outperform Benchmarks?
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The ABCs of Education Investing
With school back in session in most of the country, many parents are likely thinking about how best to prepare for their children's future college expenses. Now is a good time to sharpen one's pencil for a few important lessons before heading back into the investing classroom to tackle the issue. THE CALCULUS OF PLANNING FOR FUTURE COLLEGE EXPENSES According to recent data published by the College Board, the annual cost of attending college in the US in 2017-2018 averaged $20,770 at … [Read more...] about The ABCs of Education Investing
The Tao of Wealth Management
The path to success in many areas of life is paved with continual hard work, intense activity, and a day-to-day focus on results. However, for many investors who adopt this approach to managing their wealth, that can be turned upside down. Click HERE to read "The Tao of Wealth Management", by Dimensional Fund Advisors Vice President Jim Parker. … [Read more...] about The Tao of Wealth Management
Where’s the Value?
From 1928-2017 the value premium in the US had a positive annualized return of approximately 3.5%. In seven of the last 10 calendar years, however, the value premium in the US has been negative. This has prompted some investors to wonder if such an extended period of underperformance may be cause for concern. But are periods of underperformance in the value premium that unusual? We can look to history to help make sense of this question. SHORT-TERM RESULTS Exhibit 1 shows yearly … [Read more...] about Where’s the Value?
What You Pay, What You Get: Connecting Price and Expected Returns
A number of indexes incorporate changes in market prices at infrequent intervals during the year. This decision can have an impact on the expected return of an index. Click HERE to read "What You Pay, What You Get: Connecting Price and Expected Returns", by Dimensional Fund Advisors Vice President Jake DeKinder. … [Read more...] about What You Pay, What You Get: Connecting Price and Expected Returns
The Impact of Inflation
In many cases, the reason for saving today is to support future spending. Therefore, keeping pace with inflation is a crucial goal for many investors. When the prices of goods and services increase over time, consumers can buy fewer of them with every dollar they have saved. This erosion of the real purchasing power of wealth is called inflation. Inflation is an important element of investing. In many cases, the reason for saving today is to support future spending. Therefore, keeping pace with … [Read more...] about The Impact of Inflation