Tech stocks are no longer the subject of polite conversation. To some, stocks and bonds in general are passé. The hot topic today is real estate, residential that is. Over the past decade many home buyers who plunked down a modest down payment, seeking only a place of residence, have watched as their equity has […]

Much has been made of nefarious practices carried out by several mutual fund companies that have been brought to light largely as a result of ambitious regulatory efforts conducted by New York State’s Attorney General. Indeed, that office has scored a number of “triumphs,” sure to be trumpeted for political gain. In our view, the

In early 1995, the dollar was plunging against most major currencies and the financial media was piling on. We are struck by the similarity between recent headlines and those of a decade ago: The “mainstream media” was dead wrong. The chart below shows what happened after the dollar bottomed out in April 1995. The trade-weighted

“Do not try to beat the markets by speculating on commodities or high-tech stocks…When the siren song starts to waft toward you, lash yourself to the mast of broad-market investing.” —Ben Stein, “Everybody’s Business,” New York Times, Feb. 27, 2005 The message never really changes, does it? Establish a plan. Stick with it. Be a

Individual investors face a variety of hurdles, but for many, especially those getting started, the greatest challenge is often sorting through the hodgepodge of entities offering investment related services. Even to categorize the various service providers is a daunting task. The choices can be bewildering; brokers, investment advisors, insurance agents, trust departments, financial planners and

I will understand my own circumstances and formulate an investment plan based on my needs, not in anticipation of market trends. • I will remind myself that investing is not a form of entertainment—if I have an urge to gamble, I will go to Las Vegas (where at least the drinks are free!) and leave