Insurance
The Ballast Atheneum is a collection of our thoughts on the twelve most important topics in financial planning. Today, the focus is on Insurance. Insurance may be the most common form of financial protection out there. From protecting your loved ones from financial hardship after an untimely loss to protecting your income stream or […]
Evaluating a Pension Buyout
Key Takeaways: Calculating the “hurdle rate” of return is an important first step in determining whether staying in the pension or taking a lump sum is the best option for you. Beyond the math, there are other big-picture variables that should be considered before deciding. The pension vs. lump sum decision should be made […]
Evaluation of a Job Offer
Key Takeaways – The following considerations must be made when reviewing an opportunity to take a new job or leave a W2 salary to start a business. Nearly 93% of Americans earn income outside their primary job1. What are all the aspects of my compensation package? This includes salary and other benefits such as […]
Markets Finally Believe Fed is Serious about Inflation
The Fed raised rates 0.75% last week, the biggest single move since 1994 Market participants imply that rates will move from 1.75% to 3.56% by year-end Perception of a hawkish Fed may help avoid a wage-price spiral & severe recession Last week the Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.75% or 75 basis points (bps). […]
Fighting Inflation – Why This Time Feels Different and Could Actually Be Successful
Key Takeaways There were 11.4 million job openings in April equaling 1.92 job openings per unemployed person, a huge benefit to a Fed attempting to bring down inflation without cratering the job market. The Fed’s ideal labor market resolution is that companies fill current openings while maintaining their current workforce. Friday’s jobs report showed a […]
(With Perspective) There Is Good in This Selloff
Yes, I said it; there are countless reasons to celebrate what we are and have been experiencing in the financial markets. From a historical perspective, we believe the developments in this environment are constructive to a healthier economic and market environment in the future. Let me count the ways: 1. The Market is […]
The Inverted Yield Curve of April 2022
Key Takeaways: The 2-year/10-year yield curve inverted for the first time since 2019. This type of inversion has preceded the last eight recessions. Proper portfolio allocation can help insulate investors from the negative outcomes of recessions. Three years ago today, on April 4, 2019, I wrote about the Inverted Yield Curve […]
Diworsification – Can You Take Diversification Too Far?
Key Takeaways: Diversification can be overdone – there is a point where adding another investment to your portfolio can be harmful to the risk/return profile The goal of portfolio diversification is to reduce volatility – owning assets that don’t always move in sync with one another. Naively attempting to diversify your portfolio by investing in […]
The Federal Reserve FINALLY Raises Rates
Key Takeaways: Last week, the Federal Reserve raised the Federal Funds Rate by 0.25%. The Federal Reserve is projecting several more rate increases in 2022. The Federal Reserve is confident in a strong US economy and the ability for the economy to withstand higher interest rates. Last week the Federal Reserve raised interest […]
Markets are Digesting a TON of Information
Over the last few months, market volatility has dramatically increased. The CBOE Volatility Index or VIX, created by the Chicago Board Options Exchange, is a real-time market index representing the market’s expectations for volatility over the coming 30 days. The VIX started the year at just over 17 and has already reached over 28 during […]
Behavioral Finance and Asset Allocation
Summary Points: We simply have to watch money flow to know how “average investors” behave. Investor emotions typically run opposite to sound decision making. Sound allocation planning can provide other positive impacts on your overall plan. An emotional investor is very likely to make poor decisions over his or her financial life. Various […]
Asset Allocation Factors: Time and Emotion
When we meet with a new client, one of our tasks is to determine an appropriate asset allocation for the funds they invest. At a very basic level, the question we are trying to answer is “what percentage of the investment portfolio will be comprised of equities (stocks), and what percentage will be fixed-income (bonds)?” […]
