“Has it been four years already?” That questions is a popular refrain heard frequently as our nation readies itself for our next Presidential election on November 3rd. As expected, the looming election has garnered the attention of news and media outlets for the past few months with an ever-increasing focus on the November 3rd decision date. The 2020 Presidential election…
2020 began with the promise of continued strong economic and financial performance and a hint of uncertainty surrounding the November Presidential election. The nation’s unemployment rate was near sixty-year lows, and labor force participation rates were near sixty-year highs. The longest bull market in U.S. history was still running, despite concerns by some investors and analysts that it was getting…
For many investors, the greatest impediment to financial success is their failure to control two powerful emotions: fear and greed. Fear and greed can distort investors’ perceptions of current economic conditions and financial markets, while diverting their attention from longer term financial goals. Of the two emotions, fear is probably the more difficult to control for most investors and can…
After the worst year for equity markets in a decade, some investors may be asking themselves “what now?” It is not unusual for investors to question their investment decisions and investment allocations after a year where very little seemed to go right for equity markets. After a trying year in 2018, what does the new year hold for investors, and…
Before the brief ten percent market correction that began on January 26th and ended on February 8th, domestic equity (stock) markets enjoyed the longest period of market calm in history. Prior to the recent period of volatility, the S&P 500 had not retreated by 3% over one day or several days since November 4, 2016. The streak shattered the previous…
Volatile markets are generally viewed as a prime opportunity for active managers to shine and demonstrate their stock-picking and market-timing skills and prowess. Equity markets don’t get much more volatile than they were in the first quarter of 2016, but the investment results for active managers were disappointing. How volatile did equity markets get? Well, consider that the S&P 500…
One of the greatest spectacles in American sports is the NCAA basketball tournament that commences in March and crowns a champion in early April. The tournament has grown greatly in popularity over the last two decades leading to a huge increase in participation in office betting pools and online bracket contests, even among the most casual fans. The loss of…
