Worried about equity valuations? Trying to time the market to sit out a correction? Take Larry Swedroe’s short quiz. We have data for 91 calendar years (or 1,092 months) of U.S. investment returns over the period 1927 through 2016. The average monthly return to the S&P 500 has been 0.95%, and the average quarterly return…
As fallout from the Equifax data breach continues, Tim Maurer covers the steps you can take now to help ensure you’re protected from the possible negative outcomes of this (or the inevitable next) mass identity theThe Big Takeaway From The Equifax Hack? Only You Can Protect Your Identity
Larry Swedroe on the importance of integrating all risks (not only the investment kind) into an overall financial plan. Larry Swedroe, Director of Research, The BAM ALLIANCE Harry Markowitz received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1990 for his contributions to the body of work known as “modern portfolio theory.” Probably his greatest contribution…
A sound investment plan isn’t the only way to find financial security. Earlier this week, we looked at the importance of incorporating different types of risk—specifically, human capital risk—into an overall financial plan. Today I will focus on mortality and longevity risk, and using “tax alpha” strategies to improve the odds of achieving your financial goals….
Larry Swedroe shows that book-to-market isn’t the only criteria for defining the value factor. Eugene Fama and Kenneth French’s 1992 paper, “The Cross-Section of Expected Stock Returns,” resulted in the development of the Fama–French three-factor model. This model added the size and value factors to the market beta factor. As my co-author, Andrew Berkin, and…
Helping aging parents with their finances. Role reversal: If you have aging parents, they may need help sorting out their finances. Stuart Vick Smith lays out some steps you can take to help them feel in control of their financial life. Find it on KVUE.com By clicking on any of the links above, you acknowledge…
Larry Swedroe on how the risk of private equity doesn’t always equal higher returns. The term “private equity” is used to describe various types (e.g., buyout funds and venture capital funds) of privately placed (nonpublicly traded) investments. Even though buyout (BO) funds and venture capital (VC) funds have similar organizational and compensation structures, they are…
Larry Swedroe reviews the evidence on how political biases can affect your investing. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light,…
Larry Swedroe on how a systematic approach can help mitigate the problem. The typical hedge fund fee structure includes a management fee, calculated as a fixed percentage of a fund’s net asset value, plus an incentive fee, calculated as a percentage of its trading profits. Some hedge funds use both hurdle rates and a high-water-mark…
Manisha Thakor on the importance of building relationships in financial planning. The best financial relationships occur when your wealth advisor is interested not just in investing your money, but in investing in your life. Manisha Thakor on helping clients achieve financial clarity, calm and confidence through the process of true wealth management. By clicking on…
Tim Maurer asks 12 thought leaders for techniques to stop the cycle of “busyness.” It’s old news that we’re busy and that we wear our busyness as a badge of honor. But a new study found that Americans, in particular, are actually buying it. Specifically, the study concluded that Americans who always say they’re “busy” are actually seen…
Tim Maurer on the irony (or not) of fiduciaries supporting a fiduciary rule. The Trump administration’s move to delay implementation of the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule has inspired me to delay implementation of my commitment to remain silent on matters of public policy and politics. It’s that important. It seems pretty obvious that those…
Larry Swedroe checks the research on socially responsible vs. “vice” investing. Socially responsible investing (SRI) has been referred to as “double-bottom-line” investing. The implication is that investors are seeking not only profitable investments, but investments that meet their personal standards. For instance, some investors don’t want their money to support companies that sell tobacco products,…
Manisha Thakor brings Buckingham’s Steve Weiss on the MoneyZen Podcast to discuss some of the ins and outs of Social Security. Manisha Thakor brings Buckingham’s Steve Weiss on the MoneyZen Podcast to discuss some of the ins and outs of Social Security, including strategies for claiming benefits and optimizing them to fit your life and financial…
Feedback on investment decisions helps improve investor performance: Larry Swedroe unpacks the research. It’s been well documented that, on average, retail investors are “dumb” money. For example, on average, the stocks they buy go on to underperform, and the stocks they sell go on to outperform. Sadly, investors even manage to underperform the very mutual…