The Austrian School of Investment Thought
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Three Ways to Invest in Gold
A reaction to zero interest rate policy around the globe. A long-term hedge against the tax of inflation. A safe-haven in times of crisis. These are among the many reasons gold bugs have long sought investment in gold. But being a gold bug is not always easy. Whether it be riding out long … Continue reading
Advice From Coach Lou Holtz
Back in the 90’s I had the opportunity to see legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz speak up close and personal. He was fantastic and very entertaining but there was one thing from his speech that has stuck with me for some twenty-five years. Coach Holtz stated that given the opportunity he would rather say … Continue reading
The Fed Put is Back – But What Exactly IS a Fed Put?
Some of us are old enough to remember last October when Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell steadfastly commanded that “The really extremely accommodative low interest rates that we needed when the economy was quite weak, we don’t need those anymore… Interest rates are still accommodative, but we are gradually moving to a place where they will be neutral, … Continue reading
What is a Core – Satellite Investment Strategy
The Core – Satellite investment approach is a strategy that dictates a significant allocation in a portfolio to “Core” type investments or funds, and reserves a smaller allocation for investments and strategies considered to be satellites to the core portfolio holdings. Typical core investments might be a portfolio of blue-chip stocks or funds, investment-grade bonds … Continue reading
Bond Ladders vs. Bond Funds
Fifteen years ago when, when someone asked me if they should invest in a bond fund or create a bond ladder, I always told them that a ladder was preferable, assuming you had enough money to build one properly. After seeing what happens to ladders in real life over time, my thinking has evolved. In many … Continue reading
Friday Humor: The Complete Book of Golf
Chapters 10 and 14 are my personal favorites Chapter 1 How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt Chapter 2. How To Hit a Nike from the Rough, When You Hit a Titleist from the Tee Chapter 3. How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a Bunker Chapter 4. When to Give … Continue reading
Friday Humor: Super Bowl Tickets
A guy named Bob receives a free ticket to the Super Bowl from his company. Unfortunately, when Bob arrives at the stadium he realizes the seat is in the last row in the corner of the stadium – he’s closer to the Goodyear blimp than the field. About halfway through the first quarter, Bob notices … Continue reading
Weekly Sector ETF Performance
BIA Tracked ETF and Fund Performance Week Ended Dec 9, 2016 ytd Weekly 2016 9-Dec S&P500 SPY 12.83% 3.11% Dow Jones DIA 16.23% 3.10% Nasdaq 100 QQQ 7.71% 3.28% S&P Midcap MDY 22.65% 4.19% Russell 2000 IWM 24.20% 5.66% Dow Transports IYT 26.95% 4.04% 10 yr Treasury Yield ^TNX 2.27% 2.46% 30yr Treasury Yield … Continue reading
November Sector ETF Performance
BIA Tracked ETF and Fund Performance Month of Novermber 2016 ytd Monthly 2016 November S&P500 SPY 9.77% 3.68% Dow Jones DIA 12.53% 5.94% Nasdaq 100 QQQ 5.90% 0.44% S&P Midcap MDY 17.89% 7.88% Russell 2000 IWM 18.18% 11.06% Dow Transports IYT 21.19% 11.77% 10 yr Treasury Yield ^TNX 2.27% 2.37% 30yr Treasury Yield ^TYX 3.02% … Continue reading
Bill Gross a.k.a. The Bond King on Negative Interest Rates
While Legendary fund manager Bill Gross a.k.a. The Bond King could be the subject of a modern day Shakespearian epic; a Decemeber 2014 Bloomberg story chronilicing his exit from PIMCO, managed to capture the relevant themes in about 998 fewer pages. The Bond King has long penned a monthly Investment Outlook that is … Continue reading
Stocks Catch their Breath: Weekly Update and Sector ETF Returns
Stocks continued a rally that started last week and finished the week up 2.8%. As has been the trend of recent, stocks followed on the heels of an increase in oil prices, which where buoyed by talk of a possible production freeze overseas. Whether this is a temporary respite or the start of a sustained … Continue reading
Super Draghi to the Rescue: Weekly Update and Sector ETF Performance
Global markets where well into a third straight weekly beating on Thursday when European Central Bank President Mario Draghi came to the rescue. At a regularly scheduled policy meeting, the European Central Bank stood pat on rates, but President Draghi announced the bank would reconsidering its monetary stance and gave hints of the “do … Continue reading
More of the Same: Weekly Update and Sector ETF Performance
Another disappointing week for the markets. The S&P 500 finished the week down 2.2% but perhaps more frustrating than the final number, was a couple of failed rallies during the week. The only equity sector beating the trend was Utilities, with the Utility ETF (XLU) posting a weekly return of 0.7%. Last week’s … Continue reading
Chinese New Year: Weekly Update and Sector ETF Performance
While it is no secret that New Years optimism and resolve has a tendency to fade to “would have, could have, should have” before even the kickoff of the Super Bowl; the start to the new market year would make even the worst procrastinator blush. According to Bloomberg U.S. stock markets had “their worst weekly … Continue reading
A Long Time Coming: 6 things that have happened since last fed rate hike
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee is set to raise interest rates today, for the first time in nearly ten years. On June 29, 2006 the FOMC raised the target rate for fedral funds from 5.0 % to 5.25%. At that point Ben Bernanke was but a mere puppy as Federal Reserve Chairman, just … Continue reading
Friday Humor: Saving for College
Did you hear about the banker who was recently arrested for embezzling $100,000 to pay for his daughter’s college education? As the policeman, who also had a daughter in college, was leading him away in handcuffs, he said to the banker, “I have just one question for you. Where were you going to get the … Continue reading
By The Numbers: October 2014
October 2014 could best be described as the big rebound with the S&P500 initiating a strong rally mid month to post a return, as measured by the SPY exchange traded fund (etf) of 2.36% for the month, and a year to date total return of 10.71%. Indeed in mid-month the SPY was down 7.5% from … Continue reading
New Website Launch
Barnhart Investment Advisory is excited to announce the launching of our new website as well as our new investment and planning service platform. The new set up will allow BIA to customize individual portfolios and investment plans to each client’s unique background and preferences including a written investment philosophy and strategy for each account under … Continue reading
Work in Progress – Please Stay Tuned
Barnhart Investment Advisory is in the process of revamping our entire investment and service platform. In accordance with these changes the website and blog will be transformed as well. Certain information and previous posts may be removed, or require a password during and/or after this process. Please stay tuned and look for the launch of … Continue reading
Bernanke in Jackson Hole: Don’t Make Me Do It!
Anyone who was waiting for a “man bites dog” moment from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s address at Jackson Hole can keep waiting. The Chairman’s message today was the same that is has been for some time: The Bernanke Put lives on, but the Fed will only break the glass in case of an emergency. … Continue reading
Market Recap and a Look Ahead (week ended 7/20)
The S&P 500 finished the week at 1,362 up 0.43% for the week. The index had been higher on the week, but sold off about 1% on Friday, on the heels of a sell off across Europe including new lows on the Euro itself. Friday’s European stock markets saw declines in Italy of 4.3%, Germany … Continue reading
Market Recap and a Look Ahead (week ended 7/13)
The S&P 500 finished the week at 1,356 up 0.16% for the week. The Ten Year Treasury Yield closed at 1.49% down from 1.54% the previous week and just above the June 1st low of 1.45%. Next Week’s Potential Market Moving Events: Tuesday: Fed Chariman Bernanke testifies before the Senate Banking committee. … Continue reading
Friday Humor: Two Stockbrokers Are In a Bank…
Two stockbrokers are in a bank, when, suddenly, armed robbers burst in, waving guns and yelling for everyone to freeze. While several of the robbers take the money from the tellers, others line the customers, including the two stock brokers, up against a wall, and proceed to take their wallets, watches, and other valuables. While … Continue reading
Are Democratic Presidents Really Better for the Economy than Republicans?
According to Richard J. Carroll in a Bloomberg.com Op-Ed piece promoting his new book, the answer is yes: In “The President as Economist: Scoring Economic Performance From Harry Truman to Barack Obama,” I compare the 12 presidents since World War II using 17 economic indicators, including growth in gross domestic product, rate of unemployment, inflation, … Continue reading
Barnhart Investment Advisory in Today’s Investor’s Business Daily
Barnhart Investment Advisory is featured in today’s Investor’s Business Daily article: Pros Top Picks ETF Picks for the Remainder of 2012. As always, please remember this should not be considered a personal recommendation. You should consult with your financial advisory before making any investment decisions. Click to request an introductory phone call with Barnhart Investment … Continue reading
The Austrian School of Investment Thought 