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
Insights
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
Presidential Elections and the Stock Market
In knots over next month's election? You aren't alone. In a recent survey, fifty-two percent of American adults ~ Democrats and Republicans ~ admitted that the 2016 election is a "very or somewhat significant source of stress." Contributing to that stress is the steady stream of opinions from pundits and prognosticators about how the election will impact the stock market. Fortunately for your portfolio, opinions are not facts. Click HERE to de-stress with DFA's latest brief, "Presidential … [Read more...] about Presidential Elections and the Stock Market
In the News: Minding the Income Gap
Extra! Extra! Read All About ... Income! Scottsdale Wealth Planning CEO Paul Ohanian, CFP®, with SWP Guest Contributor and investment strategist Anthony Tanner, CFA, discuss the challenges faced by savers in this era of low (and ever lower) interest rates and where smart solutions may be found. Pick up a copy of the July 2016 issue of the Arizona Journal of Real Estate & Business on local newsstands, or read the full article online HERE. How do you address the INCOME GAP? Leave a … [Read more...] about In the News: Minding the Income Gap
Ten Reasons to be Cheerful
Do you ever listen to the news and find yourself thinking that the world has gone to the dogs? The roll call of depressing headlines seems endless. But look beyond what the media calls news, and there also are a lot of things going right, including: The world's biggest economy, the US, has been recovering. Unemployment has halved in six years from 10% to 5%. (1) Over the last 25 years, 2 billion people globally have moved out of extreme poverty, according to the latest United Nations … [Read more...] about Ten Reasons to be Cheerful