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July 4, 2020
Independence Day, July 4th, 2020 Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is the United States of America. I was born on July 4, 1776, conceived in freedom and liberty. That freedom has brought millions to my shores to cast their lot with me. It has also given human incentive its widest scope. Now, just 244 years later, I am a diverse, multilingual country that is bound together by a single language, English. The dominant language of the business world, of the Internet world, and the second language for most of the world. Who would have believed that 60% of the world’s […]
July 2, 2020
A report from First Trust Advisors, L.P.: A resurgence of new Coronavirus cases around the country has created uncertainty for investors. Stock markets fell last week, not because of the virus, but because investors fear another round of economy-killing, government-mandated lockdowns. We don’t expect that to happen, but when the government is involved, risks are definitely higher. After the peak in early April, the seven-day moving average for new cases bottomed on June 9 at 21,282. Since then, they’ve surged, hitting 39,662 per day in the seven days through yesterday. That’s an 86% increase in only 19 days. (Daily volatility […]
February 20, 2020
Ever notice how much human beings act on impulse? Advertising companies sure do. So do car dealerships, banks, and your local gym. Every time you go to the checkout counter at a grocery store, the strategically-placed candy bars and tabloid magazines are practically crying out: “Buy me! Buy me!”… even though five minutes before, you neither needed nor wanted them. Pay attention next time you watch TV, or go to a store, or open your mail. Entire industries are built on capturing the human impulse. Most of the time these impulses are harmless enough, but the worst of them can […]
February 13, 2020
Operation Valentine To some people, the practice of exchanging valentines is great for children in elementary school, but it’s hardly something for adults. Right? Well, one of the toughest, most resilient men you’ll ever meet doesn’t think that valentines are silly. And he should know – after all, he just received over 20,000 of them.1 The Oldest Marine Major Bill White is a 104-year-old veteran of World War II, and perhaps the oldest Marine alive.1 He’s a Purple Heart recipient who fought at Iwo Jima, and later served in the Korean War as well. These days, Major White lives in […]
February 7, 2020
As a financial advisor, I get a lot of questions. Some people ask me if it’s a good time to invest in the markets, or if they should be sticking their money under a mattress. Others ask me about the economy. A few ask me about specific investments. But the most common question I get is probably the best. “What,” they ask, “is the number one tip you can give me?” So here’s my answer: Precautions are useless after a crisis! You’re probably wondering what I mean. It’s simple. When’s the worst time to buy a home-security system? After a […]
January 30, 2020
By now, you’ve probably heard about the coronavirus outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan. As of this writing, there have been about 2,900 confirmed cases, with over 80 deaths.1 Most cases have been within China itself, but the virus has spread to a small number of individuals in over fifteen countries. As you can imagine, the outbreak has put global markets on edge. On Monday, the Dow dropped over 450 points due to concerns about the virus’s spread.2 While there’s no reason to be alarmed, this is a good opportunity to remind ourselves why taking a longer view is […]