The Topsy-Turvy Economy
The financial markets are hooked on easy money, low interest rates, and growth via debt issuance. Yet, it has become obvious to some market players, economists, and maybe even the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (the rate setting cabal), that current monetary policy is now hurting, not helping, the economy. Of course, monetary historians […]
When policies are anti-growth, sell the rallies and buy the dips
The equity markets are generally forward-looking. That’s why you have price movements that seem incompatible with the latest economic (backward-looking) data. The equity market today, as seen through the eyes of the S&P 500, has been flirting with all-time highs while the economic data indicate that the economy continues on feeble legs. So, just as […]
Fiduciary vs. suitability standard
Originally published on Tahoe Daily Tribune’s website, http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/opinion/15276182-113/tahoe-truckee-market-beat-fiduciary-vs-suitability-standard President Obama is pushing the Department of Labor to make some changes to the rules regarding retirement accounts. He would like to see the industry standard for retirement account advisers raised to what’s known as the fiduciary standard. Under current law, retirement account advisers can operate under […]
Possible retirement account changes on tap
Originally published in Tahoe Daily Tribune’s website, http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/opinion/15083209-113/tahoe-truckee-market-beat-possible-retirement-account-changes-on-tap Estimating future events is part of the financial planning process. Planners estimate things like life expectancy, inflation, stock market returns and interest rates. We don’t know exactly where any of these factors will be in the future. Another uncertainty are the rules that we follow as we […]
What type of IRA account is right for you?
Originally published on Tahoe Daily Tribune’s website, http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/northshore/14995245-113/tahoe-truckee-market-beat-what-type-of-ira-account-is-right If you’re thinking about funding an IRA this year, you have until April 15, or the day you file your taxes, whichever is earlier, unless you file an extension. Which type of IRA you should establish depends on several factors, and there are calculators available online to […]
How to decide on a Roth or traditional IRA
Originally published on Marketwatch.com’s website http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-decide-on-a-roth-or-traditional-ira-2015-02-09 It’s getting to be that time of the year when people start thinking about their taxes. One decision many taxpayers will face is whether it makes sense to fund an IRA. If you don’t have an IRA established yet, you need to be aware that there are two types, […]