Financial Symmetry News & Views

Archive for ‘How We See It’

In today’s economic environment, safety is at a premium but bank account rates remain at historical lows.  This has persuaded many investors to look for higher yields with their safe money.  In some of these situations, they are finding products that are advertising a 7-9% return.
We found a real-world example described in this Bloomberg article [...]

Over the last few weeks, we’ve had a few clients call us with some understandable concerns regarding current stock market conditions.  They have asked whether it makes sense to sell stocks and move their money in to cash and bonds.  Given the performance of stocks recently, and over the lost decade of the 2000’s, it [...]

In the world we live in today, we are inundated with 24 hour news and information from more sources than ever before.  New gadgets and devices continue to roll out to capture our attention with fascinating technologies.
Smartphones and other portable devices allow the user to stay connected from even the most remote locations.  Social networking [...]

Historically, gold has been used as a hedge against inflation.  During the run up in to its peak price in 1980, gold was chasing the inflation rate as investors feared that their purchasing power was going to be destroyed by runaway prices.  What they didn’t realize was that the inflation rate had already peaked above [...]

HBO has a popular series they air in the fall called “Hard Knocks.” The aim of the program is to uncover the intricacies and nuances that make the training camp of an NFL team so fascinating.  They pull the curtain back and give us a peek at the events that lends a revealing perspective to [...]

Feeling a little nervous about the recent drop in the market? You’re in good company as it’s perfectly normal in this type of environment.  In fact, we’d be surprised if the drop had not made you nervous as that is what the majority of people feel after a rise over 14 months long.  Here are [...]

No one likes potholes.  Not only because of the annoyance they create, but also the added cost of getting your car realigned as a result. Often times, you may not hit anything major but your steering wheel begins to shake and your car starts to pull to the left after reaching 45mph.  This more subtle [...]

On most days when people start their cars, they trust that by pressing the pedal, their car will run smoothly. They don’t have to think about the complicated mechanics of how the engine will power the car to their next destination every time the key is turned.  Many investors have a similar mindset when thinking [...]

What if you never again had to prepare your tax return? Or pay someone to do it for you?  The catch is that the IRS would be the ones who prepare it.  Sound a little scary?  The Bipartisan Tax Fairness and Simplification Act of 2010 introduced in the Senate has a provision for just that [...]

In this issue of “Under the Hood” we reference an article written by Bob Veres and give some insight into our decision-making process when it comes to evaluating different mutual funds.  We also include an excerpt from an interview with one of our mutual fund managers.
HOW TO LOSE MONEY IN THE TOP-PERFORMING FUND
by Bob Veres
An [...]