"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
Getting to the Point of a Point
While the Dow and other indices are frequently interpreted as indicators of broader market performance, the stocks composing these indices may not be representative of an investor's total portfolio. A quick online search for "Dow rallies 500 points" yields a cascade of news stories with similar titles, as does a similar search for "Dow drops 500 points." These types of headlines may make little sense to some investors, given that a "point" for the Dow and what it means to an individual's … [Read more...] about Getting to the Point of a Point
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
From Dimensional: Do Mutual Funds Outperform Benchmarks?
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?
Dimensional On: Recent Market Volatility
Jake DeKinder, Head of Advisor Communication at Dimensional Fund Advisors, explains why investors should view recent market declines as part of the nature of investing. … [Read more...] about Dimensional On: Recent Market Volatility