Views from the Hill

“Wild Week Leaves Investors Reeling” is the front-page headline of today’s Wall Street Journal. After remarking on the week’s “sharp plunges and euphoric rises,” it goes on to rhetorically ask: “What is behind the remarkably sudden swings in the market?” … Continue reading →

Costs matter. Whether you’re buying a car or selecting investments for your portfolio, the costs you expect to pay are likely an important factor in making a financial decision. People rely on different sources of information to make informed decisions. … Continue reading →

It’s almost Election Day in the US once again. For those who need a brief civics refresher, every two years the full US House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for reelection. While the outcomes of the … Continue reading →

With school back in session in most of the country, many parents are likely thinking about how best to prepare for their children’s future college expenses. Now is a good time to sharpen one’s pencil for a few important lessons … Continue reading →

Diversification has been called the only free lunch in investing. This idea is based on research showing that diversification, through a combination of assets like stocks and bonds, could reduce volatility without reducing expected return or increase expected return without … Continue reading →

Combining an enduring investment philosophy with a simple formula that helps maintain investment discipline can increase the odds of having a positive financial experience. “The important thing about an investment philosophy is that you have one you can stick with.” … Continue reading →

For investors, the relentless streaming of media news about markets, business and economics can be overwhelming. Investors are continually bombarded with headlines, charts and financial data over the internet and the press. Topics about U.S. stocks today are popular. All … Continue reading →

With the tax season behind us, we look ahead to new opportunities and challenges presented by the most comprehensive change in Federal tax laws since 1986. Changes are far-reaching, subject to interpretation and revisions, and will impact nearly every person, … Continue reading →

Embarking on a financial plan is like sailing around the world. The voyage won’t always go to plan, and there’ll be rough seas. But the odds of reaching your destination increase greatly if you are prepared, flexible, patient, and well-advised. … Continue reading →

Checking the weather? Guess what — you’re using a model. While models can be useful for gaining insights for making good decisions, they are inherently incomplete simplifications of reality. As disappointed investors increasingly move away from traditional active management investing … Continue reading →