Tag Archives: inflation
GET unit price takes huge leap
As a follow-up to my September 8 column in The News Tribune (see below), here is some more detail about the new unit price to participate in Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program. The 2011-12 purchase price for one GET unit … Continue reading
Challenges facing bond investors, reasons to hold them
The following chart from Natixis Investments demonstrates how interest rates impact bond markets, particularly long-term government bonds. Over the past 30 years, generally declining interest rates have fueled bond returns that have easily outpaced inflation (6% real return). But go … Continue reading
Investment returns of inflation phases
It has been a couple years since inflation caused much concern in the U.S., but we expect it to be a growing theme as prices are rising not only for oil but for food and industrial production commodities as well. … Continue reading
GET may soon be gone
Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program has generated a bit of concern recently due to speculation that budget uncertainty might force the program to be ended. While this is not a certainty, it does appear to be a growing likelihood. … Continue reading
U.S. Stocks, Municipal Bonds Generate the Best Real Returns
Thornburg Investment Management recently released an annual report analyzing real returns. It is always interesting reading. Thornburg reviews returns for several types of investments and then subtracts expenses, taxes and inflation to determine which investments allow investors to keep the … Continue reading
The damaging pace of tuition inflation
The cost of a college education continues to grow very rapidly. This, of course, is not a surprise. News of tuition inflation has been prominent. Here in Washington state, the legislature is allowing state universities to raise tuition by 14% … Continue reading
Mix gold with other commodities for a better investment
Gold gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be … Continue reading
Bonds less incredible than you think
Here is Gary Brooks’s column from the October 5 Tacoma News Tribune.