This is an excerpt of a ETF Battles between the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) – it’s a U.S. stock market rumble! Who wins the battle? DIA and VOO face off in key areas, including cost, diversification, performance and a mystery category It’s the Dow Jones Industrial …
This is an excerpt of ETF Battles between NOBL vs. VYM – it’s a tussle between two dividend focused ETFs. Who wins the battle? NOBL and VYM go against each other in key areas, including cost, yield and a mystery category Both funds own dividend stocks but with subtle and meaningful differences in strategy Both …
ETF Battles: NOBL vs. VYM – Which Dividend ETF is the Better Choice? Read More »
The energy market has seen some record breaking moves in 2020. Never mind how the May 2020 crude oil contract went $37 negative, the magnitude of the ups and downs has been off the charts. In our latest analysis at ETFguide TV, John Love the CEO at USCF Investments provides historical context. Love points out …
“It’s wise to remember that too much success in the stock market is in itself an excellent warning,” once quipped Gerald Loeb. After nine consecutive yearly gains, it’s fair to say that our generation has enjoyed more than its fair share of stock market success. But someday very soon, a stock market correction will happen. …
Actively managed portfolios are not a device of nefarious origin. And neither is it a “dead exercise” as the vox populi has declared. Nevertheless, to be successful at active investing, there are some big time hurdles. Before we discuss these obstacles, let’s first clarify the term “active investor.” An “active investor” is somebody who is …
If you asked a thousand different people about the key factors that should drive their investment choices, you’re bound to get a thousand different answers. Some, for example, might be inclined to argue that U.S. stocks (NYSEARCA:SCHB) have increased for eight consecutive years and there’s no reason to make any portfolio changes because stock prices …
Look at your investment portfolio. Do you have exposure to real estate? Is your exposure broad or is it limited to just one company? Some individual investors feel they don’t need to own real estate inside because they already own a home or condominium. Some may even a vacation home or rental properties located close …
In retrospect, Brexit turned out to be more meaningful than Grexit. And while the immediate reaction of global financial markets (NYSEARCA:VT) to the England’s decisive vote to leave the European Union (EU) was negative, it’s a stark reminder of why investing without a margin of safety is negligent. With the exception of precious metals (NYSEARCA:GLTR), mining …
Are You Still Investing Without a Margin of Safety? Read More »
Currency prices go up, they go down, and sometimes they crash. And just like other financial markets, currency prices are not immune to volatility. Should you be hedging your portfolio against currency volatility? Chaos Happens The first argument in favor of currency hedged investments is that chaos happens. It can occur at any time in any …
Jack Bogle has made changes inside his personal investment portfolio. In a news interview last week, the legendary indexer revealed that his 60% allocation to U.S. stocks and 40% to bonds via index funds (Nasdaq:VBINX) has shifted to a more conservative asset split of 50/50 in each group. Bogle is the 86-year old founder of Vanguard Group, the …
During the 1849 California Gold Rush people sold all their possessions to chase gold (NYSEARCA:IAU). A small minority hit the jackpot, but most did not. Back then, the few people that did get wealthy by not diversifying were the hyper-extreme exception, not the rule. And it’s the same today. In retrospect, investors that overstuffed their portfolios …
A few months ago the NASDAQ Composite Index (Nasdaq:ONEQ) eclipsed 5,000 for the first time since March 2000. Put another way, we are all 15 years older since the NASDAQ’s first dance with all-time highs, but are we smarter? What did we learn from the first meltdown that can help us cope with future meltdowns? …
A Risky $1.31 Million Portfolio that Flunks on Cost Read More »
From an observer’s viewpoint, the individual with a good sized investment portfolio (say above $1 million) doesn’t have much to worry about. They’ve got lots of money and that’s all that matters. Unfortunately, this misinformed view isn’t just dead wrong, but it incorrectly presumes the person with a large portfolio has done everything right. Is it true? (AUDIO) Listen …
Portfolio Report Card: A $1.23 Million Portfolio Built on the Wrong Foundation Read More »
Let’s examine the facts and fiction about portfolio diversification. Fiction: A 60/40 stock and bond portfolio (Nasdaq:VBMVX) is fully diversified. Fact: Only investment portfolios with market exposure to all the major asset classes – not just stocks and bonds (NYSEARCA:BND) – but real estate, commodities, and cash too are fully diversified. That means a 60/40 stock …
Facts and Fiction about Portfolio Diversification Read More »
Why do we take unnecessary risk with our investments? Is it because we’re gluttons for punishment or is it because we’re incredibly brave? Often, it’s because we’re simply distracted or unaware. Although the S&P 500 is still hanging on to its year-to-date gain, stock market volatility or “VIX” has advanced more than 30% over the …
Portfolio Report Card: A $569,742 Retirement Plan with Sluggish Performance Read More »
Investment portfolios come in all shapes and sizes. Some are big and some are small. But regardless of their size, there’s a common thread. What am I talking about? All portfolios, regardless of whether they are a 401(k) retirement plan, an IRA, or a brokerage account, have defining characteristics. Certain portfolios, for example, are an …
Trick question: What does the optimal investment portfolio look like? Do you know? For example, is it the portfolio with the best performing 5-star rated fund managers of yesteryear? Is it the investment account that holds the hottest stocks (NasdaqGS:NFLX) or ETFs (NasdaqGM:IBB) of the moment? Is it the portfolio built with impressive risk-adjusted back-tested …
Portfolio Report Card: A Smartly Built $1.2 Million Investment Account Read More »
What is the optimal investment portfolio? Is it the one that contains the hottest performing stocks and funds? Actually, it’s the portfolio that perfectly represents a person’s psychology, life circumstances, financial needs, and future goals. My latest Portfolio Report Card is for K.B., a 49 year-old U.S. Marine Officer serving overseas. He told me he …
Portfolio Report Card: A $171, 000 Retirement Portfolio Weighed Down by Cost Read More »