The Austrian School of Investment Thought
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Weekly Sector ETF Performance
BIA Tracked ETF and Fund Performance 27-May Week Ended May 27, 2016 ytd weekly 2016 27-May S&P500 SPY 3.66% 2.31% Dow Jones DIA 3.69% 2.14% Nasdaq 100 QQQ -1.26% 3.44% S&P Midcap MDY 7.40% 2.95% Russell 2000 IWM 2.07% 3.44% Dow Transports IYT 3.90% 1.34% 10 yr Treasury Yield ^TNX 2.27% 1.85% 30yr Treasury Yield … Continue reading
Friday Humor: The Creative Accountant
There once was an entrepreneur who was interviewing people for a division manager position. He decided to select the candidate that could answer the question “how much is 2+2?” The engineer pulled out his slide rule and shuffled it back and forth, and finally announced, “It lies between 3.98 and 4.02”. The mathematician said, … Continue reading
Yield Shopping: The Most Expensive Shopping You’ll Ever Do
In an environment of ever falling interest rates, what is an investor looking for income to do? A recent cover story in Barron’s Magazine “How to Get Safe Annual Payouts of 7%” illustrates some of today’s challenges in the fixed income world. The article offers that “yields of 5% and 7% are attainable, but you have … Continue reading
Tell Your Beneficiaries About Your Accounts and Policies
Let them know how they will receive retirement assets and insurance benefits. Will your heirs receive a fair share of your wealth? Will your invested assets go where you want them to when you die? If you have a proper will or estate plan in place, you will likely answer “yes” to both … Continue reading
Weekly Sector ETF Performance
BIA Tracked ETF and Fund Performance 20-May Week Ended May 20, 2016 ytd weekly 2016 20-May S&P500 SPY 1.32% 0.36% Dow Jones DIA 1.52% -0.06% Nasdaq 100 QQQ -4.54% 0.92% S&P Midcap MDY 4.32% 0.77% Russell 2000 IWM -1.33% 1.05% Dow Transports IYT 2.53% 2.41% 10 yr Treasury Yield ^TNX -18.50% 8.19% 30yr Treasury Yield … Continue reading
Friday Humor: New Business Opening
A new small business was opening and one of the owner’s friends wanted to send flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the new business site and the owner read the card; it said “Rest in Peace”. The business owner was angry and called the florist to complain. After he had told the florist of … Continue reading
April FOMC Meeting Minutes: The stakes are raised for June
The Federal Reserved released the minutes for the April FOMC meeting yesterday. According to Barrons.com the tone of the minutes was surprising hawkish and indicates the the Fed is ready to ready to hike rates at the meeting scheduled for June 14 and 15. While there were some dovish sentiments regarding the need … Continue reading
Doug Dachille on CNBC – Perhaps the Best Investment Mind You Haven’t Heard Of
One of the best investment minds you have probably never heard of is Doug Dachille. Mr. Dachille is currently the Chief Investment Officer for AIG, who bought his firm to bring him aboard back in June of 2015. Read: 6 Things That Have Happened Since the Last Time the Fed Raised Rates I first … Continue reading
Explaining the Basis of Inherited Real Estate: What is cost basis? Stepped-up basis? How does home sale tax exclusion work?
At some point in our lives, we may inherit a home or another form of real property. In such instances, we need to understand some of the jargon involving inherited real estate. What does “cost basis” mean? What is a “step-up?” What is the home sale tax exclusion, and what kind of tax break … Continue reading
Weekly Sector ETF Performance
BIA Tracked ETF and Fund Performance 13-May Week Ended May 13, 2016 ytd weekly 2016 6-May S&P500 SPY 0.96% -0.47% Dow Jones DIA 1.58% -1.05% Nasdaq 100 QQQ -5.41% -0.08% S&P Midcap MDY 3.53% -0.86% Russell 2000 IWM -2.35% -1.15% Dow Transports IYT 0.12% -2.98% 10 yr Treasury Yield ^TNX 2.27% 1.71% 30yr Treasury Yield … Continue reading
Friday Humor: Looking for a Fourth?
Three unmarried men were waiting to tee off when the starter walked up to them and said, “You see that beautiful blonde practicing her putting?” “Her? Wow, she is beautiful,” they all said. “She’s a good golfer,” he continued, “and would like to hook up with a group. None of the other groups will play … Continue reading
Is the Gold Trade Back?
One of the longer running and at times nastier debates among the investment community may be set to ignite again. For some reason the debate on whether or not one should own some gold triggers emotions like few others – at least when it comes to finance. Indeed gold enthusiasts or gold bugs are called … Continue reading
College Funding Options
How can you cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be the key for most families. Here are some college savings vehicles to consider. 529 plans. Offered by states and some educational institutions, these plans let you save up to $14,000 per year for your child’s college costs without having … Continue reading
Weekly Sector ETF Performance
Weekly Recap: Stocks finished down for the second week in a row. Friday’s jobs report delivered a less than expected growth in payrolls of 160,000. According to Briefing.com Fed Funds futures is pricing a a 50% chance of a rate hike at the December FOMC meeting. Also of note during the week was Puerto … Continue reading
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