Three Ways To Play Defense with Your Stock Investments
Defensive investment strategies share a common goal — to help a portfolio better weather an economic downturn and/or bouts of market volatility. But there are some key differences, including the specific criteria by which particular stocks are selected. If you are nearing retirement or just have a more conservative risk [...]
Market Volatility Continues In Spite of Economic Confidence
Another year is drawing to a close, but so far neither market volatility nor market-moving headlines have shown any signs of winding down. As we reflect on a challenging 2018 and look for bright spots in 2019, confidence in continued steady growth in the U.S. economy remains. The list of [...]
The Tech Sector May Be Dominating Your Portfolio
The biggest names in technology powered stock market gains and bouts of volatility in 2017, and the trend continued into 2018. The S&P Information Technology sector index posted a 13.19% total return from January through July 2018, compared with 6.47% for the broader S&P 500 index (See Note 1 Below). [...]
A Tough Stretch for High Quality Bonds
It’s been a difficult stretch for fixed-income investors since yields bottomed in the summer of 2016. As shown on the following chart published on the LPL Financial Research Blog, the 2-year cumulative total return for the broad high-quality bond market (as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Index) is negative [...]
Should Stock Investors Sell Now?
Should stock investors sell now? It’s been a good year for stocks — for the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2016, the Standard & Poors 500 has returned 7.84% despite the year’s rocky start in January and early February. But has performance been too good? Seven-and-a-half years into the bull [...]
Beyond Politics: What Does the Election Mean for Your Investments?
As the recent Democratic and Republican political conventions are in the rear view mirror, the presidential election season will now move into high gear! The "hype" on everyone's minds right now is, of course, whether Donald or Hillary should win the election, and that cannot be ignored. If this post [...]
Spring Has Sprung: Will the Equity Market “Spring” Continue?
Spring has arrived here in the Bay Area and across most of the nation. Just as we have seen declining rainfall after the wintery "El Nino" conditions, the new season has recently brought a break from the significant volatility we experienced in the first two months of the year. However, [...]
Correlation and Portfolio Performance
Different types of investments are subject to different types of risk. On days when you notice that stock prices have fallen, for example, it would not be unusual to see a rally in the bond market. Asset allocation refers to how an investor's portfolio is divided among asset classes, which [...]
Rates on the Rise: Strategies for Fixed-Income Investors
A long period of low yields has been challenging for many fixed-income investors, but owning bond investments in a rising interest-rate environment could become even trickier. When interest rates go up, the prices of existing bonds typically fall. Consequently, the Federal Reserve's rate-setting decisions could affect the entire fixed-income market. [...]
‘Tis the Season To Unwrap Your Crystal Ball!
It's that time of year again! No, I am not referring to the Holidays which brings the hustle and bustle of gift buying, parties, and hopefully special time with family and friends. Those subjects could produce material for an interesting read, but there is another annual tradition which I have [...]