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
Déjà Vu All Over Again
Investment fads are nothing new. When selecting strategies for their portfolios, investors are often tempted to seek out the latest and greatest investment opportunities. Over the years, these approaches have sought to capitalize on developments such as the perceived relative strength of particular geographic regions, technological changes in the economy, or the popularity of different natural resources. But long-term investors should be aware that letting short-term trends influence their … [Read more...] about Déjà Vu All Over Again
2018 Market Review
After logging strong returns in 2017, global equity markets delivered negative returns in US dollar terms in 2018. Common news stories in 2018 included reports on global economic growth, corporate earnings, record low unemployment in the US, the implementation of Brexit, US trade wars with China and other countries, and a flattening US Treasury yield curve. Global equity markets delivered positive returns through September, followed by a decline in the fourth quarter, resulting in a -4.4% return … [Read more...] about 2018 Market Review