February 15, 2018

By: John Zeltmann

You've probably noticed that Bitcoin has been in the news lately. While Bitcoin is not the only cryptocurrency (a cryptocurrency is a digital currency), it’s the most well-known, and the hype around it may bring back memories of long lines to buy Beanie Babies. But more than a few people use cryptocurrencies to conduct transactions over the internet, with companies such as Microsoft, Expedia, and Intuit accepting cryptocurrency for payment.

Source: Direxion Funds

February 15, 2018

Source: Direxion Funds

December 31, 2017

• China’s economy is the 2^nd largest in the world behind the US, but China’s GDP per person is only $9,377 while the USA’s GDP per person is $61,687.

• Janet Yellen took over as Fed Chair on 2/3/14, running the central bank for 31 meetings since then. 8 different Board of Governors members have cast 20 dissenting votes to Yellens’ interest rate recommendations made at the 30 meetings. None of the 20 dissenting votes were cast by Jerome Powell, a Board of Governors member since 5/25/12, and Yellen’s successor as of 2/3/18.

November 15, 2017

By John Zeltmann

I loved McDonald’s as a kid: the golden brown French fries, the milkshakes, the second-to-none birthday parties. And who could forget the prizes that came with the Happy Meals!

Source: Direxion Funds

November 15, 2017

• Over the last 25 years, the S&P 500 stock index has gained an average of 4.9% (total return) over the final 3 months of the year. 20 of the last 25 fourth quarters (80%) have produced a positive total return.

• The S&P 500 has experienced 10 drops of at least 5% during its bull market run that just passed 104 months in length on 11/09/17, but none since 2/11/16.

• This is the second longest bull market for the S&P 500 since 1950, trailing only the 113 ½ month long bull that ended in March 2000.

September 30, 2017

Are you planning on making charitable donations this upcoming holiday season?  Consider using something other than cash.

August 15, 2017

As you might imagine, John and I spend a lot of time reading both professional journals as well as more mainstream publications, such as the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s. Thus, we’re familiar with the current debate about robo-advisors and which investors might benefit from using them.  

August 15, 2017

September is right around the corner, which means it's back-to-school time.  No doubt that any parent with a child under the age of 18 is scrambling around, helping their kids pick up the necessary materials they need for a successful year.  Just imagine the slate of courses primed for your child or grandchild: social studies, math, biology, art, personal finance...wait, what?  No personal finance class, you say?  

June 30, 2017

Snapchat has been in the headlines recently.  At first, they were the darling of the initial public offering (IPO) space, with investors clamoring for a chance to purchase the company stock.  The first act of that play ended on a high note: on the day of their IPO, March 2, 2017, the stock price finished up 44%, rising from an issuing price of $17 per share to later close at $24.48.  Not a bad way to send the audience off to intermission.

Then came Act 2.  

June 30, 2017

We continually try to share information so our clients understand why we do what we do. Why we build diversified portfolios, or why we sell some equities when the stock market is going up and everyone feels euphoric, and buy them when the market drops and everyone is cowering in fear. Why we encourage those in the marketplace to work a little longer and why we encourage those who are retired to spend just a little less.