Category Archives: Investments
Emerging middle class resides mostly in Asia
The world population reaching seven billion people has gained a lot of media attention over the past several months. While the population rises due to longer life expectancy, there is a parallel growth in the middle class. Certainly poverty still … Continue reading
Returns of diversified investment portfolios – the mirror effect
Modern Portfolio Theory suggests that diversified investment mixes over time should generate the lowest returns with more conservative allocations to stocks and the highest returns using higher allocations to stocks. Allocations with nearly equal weightings between stocks and bonds should … Continue reading
2012 tax changes and contribution limits
EMPLOYER RETIREMENT PLANS Participants in employer retirement plans such as 401ks and 403bs will be able to contribute an extra $500 as the limit moves up to $17,000 in 2012. Catch-up contributions, allowed above the $17,000 level for people over … Continue reading
The global debt web: Who owes who
The BBC has produced an info graphic about the global debt situation that presents the web of how much money is owed by each country to banks in other nations. We found this interactive graphic to be very helpful in … Continue reading
Earnings overshadowed by less important economic news
Every Thursday morning at 8:30 Eastern, the government tells us how many people signed up for unemployment benefits during the previous week. Before this announcement, the talking heads in the media tell us what number they expect. Once the announcement … Continue reading
Many things could go right for the U.S. economy
It has been hard to avoid negative news recently. We all know that there is a debt crisis in Europe, unemployment and home price declines remain problems in the U.S. and political combativeness has drained confidence in U.S. leadership. While … Continue reading
Understanding high-frequency trading
There has been a lot of talk in the industry over the past few months about high frequency trading and whether it is the cause of markets being more volatile than usual. Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab’s Chief Investment Strategist, provides … Continue reading
Greece, land of the gods and debt
With all the attention over the past year on Greece and its debt, it’s interesting that a Greek Goddess is now being used to explain a potential outcome for the European economy. Blackrock, in its 2012 Outlook, described its worst … Continue reading →