Gain Great Performance With Small-Cap, Emerging Market High Yielders [View article]
If one checks, I think one will find that one of these companies is involved in major litigation over fiscal misrepresentation, and another has suspended their dividend and may, in fact, be de-listed. NPD and HIMAX have been great investments in the past, but are struggling in the last year.
I agree. I have had savings and no debt for 60 years. Inflation over those years has cost me, while those in debt ended up with a considerable advantage.
Roger, I love your articles, but they are "philosophical" in nature much more than they are helpful for investing. They do give insight, but I am not sure they "help people solve the problem" any more than Farrell's. We understand that your expertise is your source of employment and for that reason not something that is profitable to share. That is understandable, but realize that your articles seldom contain any nuts an bolts facts or directions to educate the average reader.
There are contributors on SA that do provide an education to those of us that are "amateurs". We thank them for their efforts. You provide overviews and philosophic discourse..... it is entertaining.... we thank you for that.
"Boomers were irresponsible with their money " That is a pretty broad statment isn't it? I understrand your frustration..... understand ours. "Boomers" are doing 50% of thge buying in today's economy... what happens to the economy when they "get out of the way" and cut their spending way back? The problems are beyond a reasonable fix. Everyone is going to suffer (except the very rich) and the "American Dream" will cease to exist in its "Leave it to Beaver" form.
This boomer invested his money in his children. They are in a better position than most because of their education, determination and own hard work. Both they and I will have to pay for the political give-aways and excesses of the past 40 years. We can't complain too much. Recievers of government aid grew to over 50% of the population in the last year, so that can not be used as an excuse. You have had the right to vote for some 22 years.... apparently there was a "majority" that wanted it this way.
"From 1980 to about 2001 it mostly went down as equities went up (low correlation) and since 2001 it has gone up a lot as equities have drifted lower (again low correlation)."
Having a small correlation and having a negative correlation are two extremely different things. Whether or not the price of gold and equities are correlated can be determined mathematicly, but your statment implies a negative correlation, not a low correlation. If, in fact,the price of gold had grown at the same rate that the prices of stocks had fallen there would have been a VERY high correlation.
Debt Downgrade: S&P Could Be the Big Loser [View article]
The only thing propping up the value of US treasuries is that the dollar is the PRESENT world currency. If one compares the fundamentals of our eonomy (GDP, debt, future promised funding, tax revenue etc.) A truthful ratings organization would not even give us an A rating. I certainly am not pleased with the change in my exquities value, brought upon by S&Ps change in rating, but facts are facts, and something would have precipitated this result sooner or later. Most of us realize the precarius position of our present economy, and are sort of "hoping it will some how go away." This is a childish view, and the longer we go with our heads in the sand the more impossible it will become to do anything to correct it. The AA rating is simply a douse in the face of the cold water of reality... Think of what would happen if they dropped it to a more acurate A-
No matter how I look at it, investing in the stock market is quite akin to gambling. The big difference is that, unlike the casino, there exists a possibility that the odds are in your favor. Unless one is a seer, no one can plan for black swan events, or capricious political systems.
Certinly there are some great financial advisors out there, yet there are exceedingly more instances with poor ones. One must study and examine each potential investment ( and make some painful mistakes along the way). I find that if I am gambling with my own money, and sticking to my plan during stressful times (like the last week) that I have a better chance at being porfitable than an unpoven advisor. For those advisers who are primarily marketeers with low integrity, it must be fun to gamble with some one elses money and get paid for it. I have found all to many instances of this in my own family's experience. It would be great to identify one that was knowledgable, responsibile, and intuitive, but most of us have no way to evaluate. I suspect the advisors that fall into this category have all the business they can handle, anyway.
A "non-bought" rating, and I think it is probably generous. Percentage wise, our figures are about the same as Spain's. It is only the fact that ours is the world reserve currency that is holding our true rating this high at all. At present rate, ours won't be the world reserve currency long, no matter how good of a customer we have been to the world in the past.
Riding Out Risk for Longer-Term Value [View article]
I never understood why "beating the market" or "beating the index" had much to do with anything. Many of us are trying to increase our (retirement) worth as much as we can, especially due to the recent trend of pensions being lost and increasing likelyhood of Social security benefit reduction or elimination. Yet I can not imagine anyone, even with reasonable retirement insured by other means, not wanting to make the maximum (for a given risk). I guess there might be a few in investments "just for fun" but I can't imagine there being many. If the S&P makes 1% this year and I make 3%, I certainly won't be happy, that won't even cover inflation. I suppose I might be relieved that I didn't do worse, but making 3% would certainly fall into my category of "doing poorly".
If I was trying to make a living in investments, I don't believe I would be thinking "I made $50,000 this year, I think I will cut back, I really don't wish to make any more"
Am I missing something? a great percentage of what I see on SA is about "beating the market" I can see it as a benchmark, but little else.
How the U.S. Dollar Will React to a Government Default [View article]
mickmars I hope the conservatives don't give in. But you need to be careful about belittling the "blue hairs", you will be one sooner or later and your best laid plans may "gang aft agley"
Top Paying Dividend Stocks by Industry [View article]
While the lists are of a relative value, and obviously the result of some hard work, there are some serious inaccuracies in the current dividend yield values using common standards. When one finds inaccuracies in one area, it makes one concerned of the accuracy of all the information. For instance, you have CALM listed as having a 5.8% dividend yield when using the last-4-quarter standard commonly used gives a yield of 3.2% (Money, Bloomberg, Google etc.) Your quoted rate is almost twice that of the actual.
Why It's More Important Than Ever to Create Your Own Retirement Solution [View article]
They have a "required" finance course at our local high school..... Best I can tell the spend a semester teaching them how to balance a checkbook. I guess that is better than nothing.... :o
Gain Great Performance With Small-Cap, Emerging Market High Yielders [View article]
NPD and HIMAX have been great investments in the past, but are struggling in the last year.
Why Multinationals Are Beneficiaries Of Foreign Markets, Not Proxies For Them [View article]
Financial Literacy A Hoax? [View article]
Roger, I love your articles, but they are "philosophical" in nature much more than they are helpful for investing. They do give insight, but I am not sure they "help people solve the problem" any more than Farrell's. We understand that your expertise is your source of employment and for that reason not something that is profitable to share. That is understandable, but realize that your articles seldom contain any nuts an bolts facts or directions to educate the average reader.
There are contributors on SA that do provide an education to those of us that are "amateurs". We thank them for their efforts. You provide overviews and philosophic discourse..... it is entertaining.... we thank you for that.
Exploring The 'Retirement Bubble' [View article]
This boomer invested his money in his children. They are in a better position than most because of their education, determination and own hard work. Both they and I will have to pay for the political give-aways and excesses of the past 40 years. We can't complain too much. Recievers of government aid grew to over 50% of the population in the last year, so that can not be used as an excuse.
You have had the right to vote for some 22 years.... apparently there was a "majority" that wanted it this way.
Swiss Franc/Gold Not Safe Havens [View article]
Having a small correlation and having a negative correlation are two extremely different things. Whether or not the price of gold and equities are correlated can be determined mathematicly, but your statment implies a negative correlation, not a low correlation. If, in fact,the price of gold had grown at the same rate that the prices of stocks had fallen there would have been a VERY high correlation.
Debt Downgrade: S&P Could Be the Big Loser [View article]
Think of what would happen if they dropped it to a more acurate A-
My Superyield Retirement Strategy [View article]
Certinly there are some great financial advisors out there, yet there are exceedingly more instances with poor ones. One must study and examine each potential investment ( and make some painful mistakes along the way). I find that if I am gambling with my own money, and sticking to my plan during stressful times (like the last week) that I have a better chance at being porfitable than an unpoven advisor. For those advisers who are primarily marketeers with low integrity, it must be fun to gamble with some one elses money and get paid for it. I have found all to many instances of this in my own family's experience. It would be great to identify one that was knowledgable, responsibile, and intuitive, but most of us have no way to evaluate. I suspect the advisors that fall into this category have all the business they can handle, anyway.
Strange Day, Followed by Strange Night. What Now? [View article]
www.businessinsider.co...
A "non-bought" rating, and I think it is probably generous. Percentage wise, our figures are about the same as Spain's. It is only the fact that ours is the world reserve currency that is holding our true rating this high at all. At present rate, ours won't be the world reserve currency long, no matter how good of a customer we have been to the world in the past.
Riding Out Risk for Longer-Term Value [View article]
If I was trying to make a living in investments, I don't believe I would be thinking "I made $50,000 this year, I think I will cut back, I really don't wish to make any more"
Am I missing something? a great percentage of what I see on SA is about "beating the market" I can see it as a benchmark, but little else.
How the U.S. Dollar Will React to a Government Default [View article]
I hope the conservatives don't give in. But you need to be careful about belittling the "blue hairs", you will be one sooner or later and your best laid plans may "gang aft agley"
In Search of High Dividend Yields (An Industry by Industry Survey) [View article]
Top Paying Dividend Stocks by Industry [View article]
Why It's More Important Than Ever to Create Your Own Retirement Solution [View article]
Best I can tell the spend a semester teaching them how to balance a checkbook. I guess that is better than nothing.... :o
Week of May 15 Big Picture: ETF Industry Kicking It Up a Notch [View article]
I am always looking for something "better" As 5+ commented, it is nice to have some possibilities investigated and waiting in the wings.
Week of May 15 Big Picture: ETF Industry Kicking It Up a Notch [View article]
As of January 31, 2011, the top ten holdings of the FAX portfolio based on total assets were as follows:
Holding Coupon / Maturity (%)
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Australia Government Bond 5.75%, 07/15/2022 3.2
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Australia Government Bond 4.75%, 11/15/2012 3.2
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Western Australia Treasury Corporation 8.00%, 06/15/2013 2.7
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Queensland Treasury Corporation 6.00%, 04/21/2016 2.4
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Korea Treasury Bond 4.50%, 03/10/2015 1.7
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Queensland Treasury Corporation 6.00%, 06/14/2021 1.7
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Treasury Corporation of Victoria 5.75%, 11/15/2016 1.7
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Queensland Treasury Corporation 6.25%, 02/21/2020 1.6
----------------------... ----------------- ----
India Government 7.02%, 08/17/2016 1.4
----------------------... ----------------- ----
Australia Government Bond 4.50%, 10/21/2014 1.3
----------------------... ----------------- ----
TOTAL 20.9
----------------------... ----