New Graduates – Start Thinking about Retirement Congratulations to all the new graduates that are entering the work force now. They have a tough slog ahead with a weak job market and a lot of debt. The good news is they can take small steps now that will reap tremendous returns down the road: Plan on being…
DetailsWhile writing this newsletter there are lovely fluffy snowflakes coming down – hopefully winter’s last hurrah before spring starts in earnest. How the Markets Performed during the First Quarter After a lackluster 2011, the New Year has started off with a bang: For the first time in a while bonds had a negative return (only just…
DetailsBest wishes for 2012. It is good to have 2011 behind us with the year’s excessive daily volatility, which was 117% higher than the 50 year historical daily volatility average. How the Markets Performed in 2011 Last year was a mixed bag for the markets as can be seen from the table below: *Note, returns…
DetailsThe balloons are gracing the skies in Albuquerque, and finally it is getting cooler and fall is on its way. I am generally not a winter person, but after our hot dry summer, I am ready for fall and winter. The recent rains have been very welcome for our parched desert landscape! The Market, News…
DetailsWow, it has been a hot, dry and smoky summer so far. Hopefully the monsoons will arrive soon and provide some moist relief for our parched State! National Debt Ceiling and Budget We are rapidly approaching the date when the U.S. Government is going to run out of money again. Here are some sobering statistics:…
DetailsSpring has sprung, with the usual high winds and accompanying dust. Stay grounded and don’t get blown away! Review of Market during First Quarter of 2011 The market has continued its upward march after a good year in 2010. The overall US stock market appreciated 6.9%1, International stocks gained 4.3%2 and the overall bond market went up 0.5%3, even…
DetailsHope you had an enjoyable Holiday Season. Happy New Year and best wishes for a successful and prosperous 2011. Review of Market in 2010 Just about all major sectors of the market had positive returns last year. The overall US stock market appreciated 15.5%1, International stocks gained 6.6%2 and the overall bond market went up 6.1%3. Note all of…
DetailsEconomic Recovery is Still on Track As mentioned in the July newsletter, many signs were there pointing to a recovery in the US economy. No economic indicator ever moves in a straight line, and this recovery is no exception. Just about all the indicators are still saying that the recovery is on track. Markets had a Tremendous…
DetailsDouble Dip Recession Doom & Gloom If you turn on the TV or open a newspaper, you are inundated with bad economic news, and it is not hard to believe that the end of the financial world is near at hand. Here is a sampling of the negative headlines giving us the impression that we are headed for…
DetailsStock Market’s Rough Week The stock market had a rough week last week. The overall US stock market declined 6.82% as reflected by the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund(VTSMX). What were the causes? Here are some of the factors that are thought to have caused the rapid decline: The Greek debt crisis? Thursday’s half-hour market plunge?…
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