Investors may wonder whether stock returns will suffer if inflation keeps rising. Here’s some good news: Inflation isn’t necessarily bad news for stocks.
• A look at equity performance in the past three decades does not show any reliable connection between periods of high (or low) inflation and US stock returns. (more…)
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are receiving intense media coverage, prompting many investors to wonder whether these new types of electronic money deserve a place in their portfolios.
Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin emerged only in the past decade. Unlike traditional money, no paper notes or metal coins are involved. No central bank issues the currency, and no regulator or nation state stands behind it. (more…)
If you’re like most of us, it’s hard to not keep an eye on how the U.S. economy is recovering from everything that’s happened since the start of 2020. However, it’s also easy to fixate on the gloomier economic indicators and try to interpret them as potential warning signs for the recovery and our portfolios. A popular one as of late is federal government debt, which reached a record $28 trillion in March. You might hear pundits and colleagues suggesting that this spells doom for the stock markets and your portfolio. Before making any rash decisions, let’s examine the relationship between federal debt and stock market performance. (more…)
By Jonathan Scheid, CFA, AIF®There is no way to hide that prices are rising for the goods and services we use. A day doesn’t seem to pass without hearing of a new shortage, a supply disruption, or an increase in demand that is impacting the price we pay for something. From a shortage of semiconductors affecting the price of new and used cars to higher oil prices raising the cost of gas and backups at ports restricting supply, it is no wonder that inflation and inflation expectations are on an upswing. (more…)
Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, and has spent much of her career studying the complex human experiences of “vulnerability” and “living wholeheartedly.”
Her 2010 TED Talk presentation, “The Power of Vulnerability,” catapulted her into the international spotlight with a powerful message that literally resonated with millions. In fact, it is among the top ten TED Talks viewed worldwide. In addition, she is the author of the New York Times best seller, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. (more…)
Recent studies indicate that the pandemic has prompted many to reevaluate the meaning and purpose of wealth. For example, the annual “Modern Wealth Survey” revealed that lifestyle priorities have changed for a majority (68%) of Americans due to COVID-19. Among those who reported that their priorities had shifted, top choices included mental health (69%), relationships (57%), financial health (54%), and physical health (39%). (more…)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
If you’re like most of us, it’s hard to not keep an eye on how the U.S. economy is recovering from everything that’s happened since the start of 2020. However, it’s also easy to fixate on the gloomier economic indicators and try to interpret them as potential warning signs for the recovery and our portfolios. A popular one as of late is federal government debt, which reached a record $28 trillion in March. You might hear pundits and colleagues suggesting that this spells doom for the stock markets and your portfolio. Before making any rash decisions, let’s examine the relationship between federal debt and stock market performance. (more…)
Stock market indexes continue to set new record highs, but investors are increasingly focused on another number: inflation. Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 4.2% annual increase in inflation in April, we should take time to understand where that number comes from and what it means. Knowing this answer and the different ways inflation is calculated can help add some valuable perspective the next time you hear it discussed in the news media or among colleagues. (more…)
KEY TAKEAWAYS
