Category Archive: 9a.) Real Investment Advice

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2-17-26 Bank, Brokerage, or Corporate Trustee?

2026-02-17

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Choosing a corporate trustee is one of the most important decisions in estate planning—especially if you’re naming a bank, brokerage trust department, or independent trust company to manage assets and carry out your wishes after you’re gone. Lance Roberts & Jon Penn break down how to compare corporate trustees beyond just “lowest fees,” including fiduciary standards, investment flexibility, service model, administrative capabilities,...

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Time To Swap Gold For Bitcoin?

2026-02-17

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2026-02-17

The dollar-debasement narrative is in full swing, as evidenced by the price of precious metals. However, one look at bitcoin, which should also rally on the debasement narrative, tells you something is amiss. We do not buy into the dollar-debasement narrative; instead, we believe much of the activity in gold and bitcoin is more closely …

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2-16-26 How Margin Calls Turn Corrections Into Crashes

2026-02-17

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Record margin debt combined with shrinking disposable income has created a fragile market structure. In this short video, Lance Roberts explains how elevated leverage and declining cash reserves increase the risk of forced margin calls, turning ordinary pullbacks into accelerated selloffs as mechanical liquidation pressure feeds on itself and amplifies volatility. Lance also highlights a real example of a leveraged $SLV position that reportedly...

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Market Sector Review: Extreme Market Bifurcation

2026-02-16

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2026-02-16

Since the beginning of the year, we have discussed the "reflation trade" and its impact on specific market sectors. This past weekend's newsletter also showed some of these more extreme returns in various market sectors since the beginning of the year. To wit: "Despite what seemed like a rough week in the market, it really wasn’t as …

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2-14-26 This “Flat” Market Is Hiding Massive Rotations

2026-02-14

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Markets may look flat on the surface, but beneath the surface, massive rotations are taking place. Large-cap value is up sharply while growth has stalled, even as $SPX barely moves. In this short video, Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz discuss how passive flows are driving capital aggressively between sectors and styles, pushing areas to historical extremes. These divergences create opportunity, but also risk. When rotations stretch this far,...

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The Weak Dollar Narrative

2026-02-14

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2026-02-14

🔎 At a Glance 🏛️ Market Brief - February Lives Up To Its Name We noted last week that February tends to be a weaker month for returns. So far, it has certainly lived up to its name. This past week opened with investors selling technology, and particularly software stocks, to buy value sectors. Energy, … Continue reading »

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2-13-26 AI in HR

2026-02-13

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AI is transforming HR and payroll—but most mid-sized companies are still stuck doing critical work manually. Tom Allen and Da'Miere Glover break down what’s real vs. hype in “AI in HR,” including where AI is already delivering value today: payroll accuracy and anomaly detection, recruiting and screening, employee self-service chatbots, and workforce forecasting. Tom and Da'Miere also cover the downside risks business owners must understand—bias...

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2-13-26 Why The Market Didn’t Buy the “Strong” Jobs Report

2026-02-13

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The latest jobs report looked strong at first glance, but revisions wiped out much of last year’s gains, and underlying trends show slower growth. Wage pressures continue to ease, and alternative payroll data suggest job creation is running far below headline numbers. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explain why the bond market’s muted reaction suggests investors saw through the headline strength and remain unconvinced that the labor market is...

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2-13-26 529 Leftovers, Retirement First, & the Real Cost of Cars

2026-02-13

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What happens when the “perfect” plan doesn’t happen—your kid skips college, your retirement clock is ticking, and the family budget gets ambushed by costs you never saw coming? Jon Penn and Jonathan McCarty connect three real-world money stress points that are showing up everywhere right now: 1) The kid isn’t going to college—now what about that 529? 2) Retirement vs. college: the household tug-of-war 3) Hidden car ownership costs: the budget...

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Financial Nihilism & The Trap Young Investors Are Walking Into

2026-02-13

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2026-02-13

The article from the Wall Street Journal titled “Why My Generation Is Turning to Financial Nihilism” by Kyla Scanlon argues that Gen Z is embracing high-risk financial behavior out of despair and detachment. Of course, it is essential to recognize that Kyla, although well-intentioned, is a young twenty-something influencer with limited real-life experience, and sees …

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Century Bonds: A Long Term Bet On Google

2026-02-13

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2026-02-13

Google's parent, Alphabet, just issued $32 billion in global debt, including £1 billion of rare century bonds. Alphabet's century bonds are called such because they do not mature for 100 years (2126). While the century bond is a small piece of its recent debt offering and even less of its outstanding debt ($78 billion), the … Continue...

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2-12-26 The Contrarian View on The Value Rally

2026-02-12

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In this short video, Lance Roberts & Michael LebowitzI explain how value stocks were deeply hated just months ago. Since then, capital has rotated aggressively into defensive “value” names, pushing many to extreme overbought levels. Ironically, several of these stocks, including $WMT $PG and $PEP, now trade at elevated multiples, making them expensive by traditional metrics. Be careful chasing the crowd. Focus on where money is likely to move...

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The ECB Unexpectedly Raises Rates But Pauses

2026-02-12

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2026-02-12

"Based on its current assessment, the Governing Council considers that the key ECB interest rates have reached levels that, maintained for a sufficiently long duration, will make a substantial contribution to the timely return of inflation to target." And with that statement, the European Central Bank (ECB) appears to have halted its rate hiking cycle. …

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The Pros and Cons of Investing in Gold and Other Precious Metals

2026-02-12

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2026-02-12

Understanding Gold and Precious Metal Investments Exploring the Appeal of Precious Metals Investing in gold and other precious metals has long been regarded to preserve wealth and hedge against economic uncertainties. Discover the potential benefits and drawbacks of including these commodities in your investment strategy. The Role of Precious Metals in Diversification Adding precious metals …

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Understanding Different Types of Investment Vehicles: Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds

2026-02-12

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2026-02-12

Exploring Investment Vehicles: An Overview Navigating the Investment Landscape Investing wisely requires a thorough understanding of various investment vehicles. Delve into the essentials of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to make informed choices that align with your financial goals. The Role of Investment Vehicles Investment vehicles serve as the channels through which individuals can invest …

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The Pros and Cons of High-Yield Bonds

2026-02-12

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2026-02-12

Understanding High-Yield Bonds: An Overview Defining High-Yield Bonds High-yield bonds, also known as junk bonds, are debt securities issued by companies with lower credit ratings. These bonds offer higher interest rates compared to investment-grade bonds, but they come with their own set of benefits and risks. The Role of High-Yield Bonds High-yield bonds can play …

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How to Avoid Common Bond Investing Mistakes

2026-02-12

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2026-02-12

Navigating the World of Bond Investing: A Comprehensive Guide The Importance of Informed Bond Investing Bond investing can be lucrative, but avoiding mistakes is crucial for maximizing returns and minimizing risks. Learn about the common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them. The Role of Bonds in Investment Portfolios Bonds offer stability and income, …

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How to Buy Commodity ETFs: A Guide for Investors

2026-02-12

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2026-02-12

Understanding Commodity ETFs: What You Need to Know Exploring the World of Commodity ETFs Commodity Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) offer investors exposure to a diverse range of commodities, such as precious metals, energy resources, agricultural products, and more. Learn how to navigate this investment option and incorporate it into your portfolio. Benefits of Investing in Commodity …

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The Different Types of Commodity Investments and Their Characteristics

2026-02-12

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2026-02-12

An Introduction to Commodity Investments Understanding Commodity Investments Commodity investments involve putting money into raw materials or primary agricultural products that are typically traded on commodity markets. These investments offer exposure to the fluctuations in commodity prices, making them a unique and potentially rewarding addition to investment portfolios. Why Invest in Commodities? Commodities serve as …

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Register for Our Next Candid Coffee

2026-02-12

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Our next Candid Coffee is set for Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 8am with Richard Rosso & Danny Ratliff. It's an open-forum, kitchen table kind of conversation about what's on your mind, financially. We'll launch the conversation with a discussion about annuities, but really, anything is game. Register today at this link: ttps://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV #CandidCoffee #Registration #Annuities

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