The Hidden Dangers of Comparing Investments to Indexes

2024-08-20

Investors are waiting for this week’s Jackson Hole confab, and will respond accordingly; when will markets take a breather? The DNC begins with economic nonsense. You cannot fix poverty by giving money away. Markets’ rally straight up for eight days; pullback is coming: This is no time to chase stocks. Why the correction is over; three elements of economic uncertainty. Lance answers an email about helping youth prepare financially; the financial order of operations. Say no to credit card debt! You don’t need it for a good credit score. Truth About Credit Scores: Do You Really Need Credit Cards? Pay your bills on time and have the money talk with your kids. What Lance would do if he was younger: aggressive saving early. Max out your 401K every year for financial growth! Invest in S&P

2024-08-16

I was recently asked about the seemingly strong “economic growth” rate as the Federal Reserve prepares to start cutting rates.

“If economic growth is so strong, as noted by the recent GDP report, then why would the Federal Reserve cut rates?”

It’s a good question that got me thinking about the trend of economic growth, the debt, and where we will likely be.

Since the end of the financial crisis, economists, analysts, and the Federal Reserve have continued to predict a return to higher levels of economic growth. The hope remains that the Trillions of dollars spent during the pandemic-driven economic shutdown will turn into lasting organic economic growth. However, the problem is that while the artificial stimulus created a surge in inflationary pressures, it did little to spark

2024-08-12

Laying the groundwork for Fed rate cuts: Will they or won’t they in September, and by how much? 80% of S&P companies have reported; stock buy back windows are back open for business; Q-2 earnings summary: Not great, not terrible. Is consumer spending slowing (and will earnings estimates fall)? Last week’s market volatility: Still in the process of correction. Sell-off was recovered by Friday. After a muted open today, use any rally to reduce risk and raise cash. Lance jumps into the unpredictability of the market and challenges common assumptions. Discover why what you think you know might not be true: The importance of questioning market assumptions; the unpredictability of market behavior; why the market has already priced in expected events; the real-time nature of markets; common

2024-08-09

With the turmoil of the past week, now is a good time to reassess your portfolio, and rebalance the risk. What is the deal with stocks advertising on TV? Wealth transferrence & Inheritances: How common is it for children to meet with parent and financial advisor? If there’s money left… How RMD’s can calter inheritances; how gift-giving works. Lance’s kids are ‘off the payroll.’ Are you planning to receive an inheritance? How life-long gift-giving can work; what are the tax implications? Using gifting as an opportunity to teach about money & stewardship. Estate Planning prep: When do you need a trust? (Implications in the event of divorce.) Don’t let the documents talk; have a conversation with your kids about the money. Dealing with tax torpedos in Social Security; taxation and

2024-08-08

Economic Reports affected by Hurricanes Beryl & Debbie; market sell off continues. Inflationary data is still there; unwinding of Yen Carry Trade continues w/volatility. Lance recites a brief history of market crashes, causes & effects. The market correction actually started in July at peak; trapped-longs sold into market rally as exuberance reverses. Earnings Season has delivered a mixed back; 92% of companies have reported, opening buy back windows for business. Consumer sentiment feedback loop affects Fed decision-making; what the Yen Carry Trade does for market moods. The differential in interest rates between the Yen & the Dollar is shrinking. The Fed is reactive…and trapped. Lance & Michael discuss the Sahm Rule recession indicator: This time may be different. Recessions are