2018 has now seen two periods of rapid declines in the stock market. Are the good times really over for good? We don’t think so, but are definitely watching the key factors we focus on to hopefully tell us if things have changed. Over the last several years we have [...]
In present times, one must know where to seek out good news. Based upon the old saying, If it bleeds, it leads, we have more than a bumper crop of awful things to contemplate. So, being an incorrigible optimist, let me share some items of which I learned recently. We [...]
Trying to stay fit might be hazardous to one’s health! In late March, trying to perform exercises directed by my trainer, I suffered a complete thickness tear of my left supraspinatus tendon. That is the shoulder muscle that allows us to raise our arms out to the side. The experts [...]
I saw recently the Princess Bride movie will be presented this next weekend on Xfinity, Netflix, or some outlet. One of my lifetime favorite movies, it includes a scene in which the hero must transport his love through the Slough of Despond. It is a treacherous place with fire swamps, [...]
Fears of a major trade war are causing another selloff in global markets this week. China, late on Sunday, said it would increase tariffs on 128 U.S. products in response to U.S. duties on imports of aluminum and steel. President Donald Trump is separately preparing to impose tariffs of more [...]
Investors talk about bonds as a financial holding and most own some. But I find few people really understand them. Why are they are considered safer than stocks? Why at times might they not be as safe as thought?Within the investment realm, one can only choose among four basic [...]
Everyone loves a good forecast. Problem is they are hard to come by -- good forecasts. Like the broken clock, they are likely to be right twice a day. In reality, a positive market forecast has about a 70 percent chance of being right on the overall direction. In most [...]
Through last Friday’s markets close, the stock indexes have already had a great year. Dow, up 26; S&P 500, up 20; NASDAQ 100, up 31 percentages. Yes, we may still be only a Tweet away from disaster, but Mr. Market obviously has liked the change in business climate. Other [...]
In case you haven’t noticed, this will be one of the coolest Augusts in my lifetime for Greater Kansas City. It is supposed to be Dog Days of August, which for some reason means unbearably hot. The stock market should be falling more, but it seemingly will not for now. [...]
Human nature is a strange and wonderful thing, don’t you think? When times are tough, we cannot wait until they become easier. When they become easier, we worry about the next tough time or experience. Lots of investors are feeling that latter one today. As I write this on Tuesday, [...]
