2025-01-10
The latest stock market bubble may be one of the shortest-lived bubbles in recent times. Quantum computing stocks rose in November and took off in December when Google touted the immense power of quantum computing. The following is from Google (LINK): Willow performed a standard benchmark computation in under five minutes that would take one …
Read More »2025-01-09
When planning for retirement, choosing the right Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a crucial decision. Traditional and Roth IRAs are two popular options, each with distinct advantages and limitations. Understanding the differences between traditional vs Roth IRA accounts will help you make an informed decision based on your financial situation and retirement goals. Contribution Limits …
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As we share below, bond market sentiment, known officially as the term premium, has been almost entirely responsible for the recent surge in bond yields. Specifically, behind the move is investor concern regarding another round of inflation stemming from the recent Fed’s rate cuts. The poor sentiment is very apparent when comparing news to a …
Read More »2025-01-08
Bloomberg led its article “Credit Markets Signal Warning for a Relentless Equity Rally” with the following paragraph: Stocks are close to the most overvalued against corporate credit and Treasuries in about two decades. The earnings yield on S&P 500 shares, the inverse of the price-earnings ratio, is at its lowest level compared with Treasury yields …
Read More »2025-01-07
Outflows from bond ETFs, such as TLT, have been tremendous over the last two months. ETFs, unlike mutual funds, allow dealers to redeem shares for the underlying securities and vice versa. The exchanges most often occur when the demand to buy or sell the ETF is high, thus creating a small arbitrage for the dealer. …
Read More »2025-01-06
Market volatility is an inherent part of investing, and while it can be unsettling, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. For disciplined investors, periods of market fluctuation present opportunities for growth and long-term wealth building. To navigate these uncertain times, understanding the causes of volatility, managing your emotional responses, and employing sound investment strategies are …
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Corporate executives are sending vastly different messages to their respective investors. Based on one indicator, they must be pretty bearish, yet another reeks of bullishness. Let’s take a look at corporate executives’ Jekyll and Hyde-like behavior and try to make some sense of their actions and what they might portend for their companies. As we …
Read More »2025-01-03
The percentage of S&P 500 stocks outperforming the index on a rolling 21-day period fell below 15% late last year. That aligns with the record low set last July. Needless to say, the market’s breadth is historically horrendous. Last July, after months of significant outperformance by the mega-cap stocks, the poor market breadth corrected quickly. …
Read More »2025-01-02
While 20% gains in the S&P 500 are not uncommon, as circled below, back-to-back 20% gains have only occurred three times since 1950. The most recent back to back 20%+ gain was 2023 and 2024. Accordingly, given the rare performance of the last two years, lets look back and see what history teaches us. The …
Read More »2024-12-31
Over the past couple of weeks and into the next few weeks, you will likely be inundated with economic forecasts and stock market scenarios for 2025.
Read More »2024-12-30
Building wealth through investing requires a clear understanding of foundational principles and a disciplined approach to asset allocation. Whether you’re new to investing or looking to refine your strategy, this guide explores key investment strategies for wealth creation, offering insights on diversification, risk tolerance, and how to build a portfolio that aligns with your goals. …
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AI machine learning receives most of the publicity concerning today’s technological advancements, but the potential in quantum computing is just as exciting, if not more so. There’s a fundamental difference between quantum computing and AI. Artificial intelligence utilizes classical binary computing, where information is processed in bits, which can either be in an on or …
Read More »2024-12-27
2024 was an unbelievable year for the S&P 500 up 28% YTD. The index constituents’ average and median returns are 15.7% and 11.8%, respectively. Altogether, this year’s index returns dwarf the long-term average S&P 500 return of 7.9% since 1928. The Finviz heatmap pictured below shows the 2024 returns of the stocks in the index. …
Read More »2024-12-26
Planning for retirement is a lifelong process, but inflation can pose significant challenges to even the best-laid plans. Inflation slowly reduces the purchasing power of your savings, which can leave retirees struggling to afford the lifestyle they envisioned. Understanding the inflation impact on retirement and taking proactive steps to protect your retirement savings is critical …
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The Fed uses many inflation gauges to develop its forecasts. An important one that Powell has flagged many times is inflation expectations. However, there is a weakness in using inflation expectations as an input to the Fed’s forecasts. Inflation expectations are collected from two primary sources: markets and surveys. Both traders and individuals have political …
Read More »2024-12-23
Planning for retirement is a lifelong journey that evolves as you progress through different stages of life. A well-thought-out strategy not only ensures financial security but also helps you achieve the lifestyle you desire during your golden years. This retirement planning guide breaks down the process into manageable phases—from early career to post-retirement—emphasizing the importance …
Read More »2024-12-19
Creating a reliable income stream during retirement is essential to maintaining your lifestyle and achieving your financial goals. With longer lifespans and rising costs, having a clear plan for generating income is more important than ever. In this article, we’ll explore key retirement income strategies, including annuities, dividend-paying stocks, and bond ladders, and provide tips …
Read More »2024-12-16
When it comes to building long-term wealth, it’s not just about how much you earn but how much you keep. Taxes can significantly impact your investment returns, making tax-efficient investing a crucial component of any wealth accumulation strategy. By utilizing tax-advantaged accounts, employing strategies like tax-loss harvesting, and selecting tax-efficient funds, investors can reduce their …
Read More »2024-12-12
Retirement may seem like a distant milestone when you’re in the early stages of your career, with other financial priorities like paying off student loans, building an emergency fund, or saving for a home often taking center stage. However, starting your retirement planning early offers significant advantages that can make a profound difference in your …
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