In my last post I demonstrated the importance of understanding how data is presented when comparing the performance of different investments.  When utilizing a cumulative performance chart, the key takeaway was that the starting point has a significant impact on the perceived results.  In our example, we compared the Dow Jones Total Stock Market US…
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I was having a discussion the other day with someone about investing in international equities.  Her belief was that international stocks have significantly underperformed U.S. stocks for a long time, and therefore she did not see any value in adding them to her portfolio.  As proof, she cited the following chart from the Wall Street…
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ETFGI, an independent research firm focused on the global Exchange Traded Product (ETP) industry, reported that as of the end of Q1 2017 global ETP assets (which include ETFs) exceeded global hedge fund assets by over $800 billion. This is a good thing.  Mostly because it means hedge fund participation over the last two years…
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The concept of knowledge has recently undergone a radical change, with no less a personage than our new president and his cohorts attempting to legitimize what one of them has referred to as “alternative facts.”  Notwithstanding the societal consequences of government leaders making decisions based on false information, fake news can be especially problematic when making…
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In Part 1 of this posting, I talked about how the government’s monetary policy is executed through the Fed to modify interest rates.  To recap: the Fed cannot control interest rates; it can only influence them, and realistically speaking only short-term rates at that.  In order to keep long-term rates low to stimulate the economy…
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