The stock market has delivered an average annual return of 12.9% over the 20 years ended in March, and individual investors have had access to plenty of decent stock mutual funds that have come close to that return. Why, then, has the average investor realized vastly inferior returns over this period? A study performed last year by DALBAR, an independent […]
Low savings rate threatens American retirees
Despite all the attention being paid to the problems that may be caused by the imminent retirement of the Baby Boomers and the threat to Social Security, most Americans still aren’t saving enough money for retirement. A new study identifies groups that are most at risk for income shortfalls in retirement. Number one on the list is the low-income single […]
Where to find real stock market value
Many investors have a vague notion that “small” stocks and “value” stocks are something they should consider for their portfolios. Yet the average investor’s portfolio is often more “market-like,” that is, invested in big U.S. growth stocks. So where do value and small stocks fit in and why would an investor want them? The answer is very important for long-term […]
Client Letter – Q1 2004
The real danger to our wealth is not inflation or risky stock markets or federal budget deficits. Instead, the simple mistakes most investors make hurt them far more than any outside market or economic forces. An investor with a diversified portfolio who is patient and waits out temporary slumps in the markets has a high chance of making his wealth […]
Supercharging an indexed portfolio
Let’s say you have made the breakthrough to indexed investing. You no longer believe that some swaggering Wall Street money manager can consistently beat the market for you. You no longer want to pay high fees to take that risk, and have decided on a more rational course. Great—you’ve come to the conclusion shared by a lot of other very […]
Some fund investors are paying extra sales fees
Over 150 mutual funds that are closed to new investors continue to charge extra fees for marketing, says Standard & Poor’s, an independent investment research firm. The notorious fees, known as the 12b-1 fee after the securities law section that regulates them, are supposed to be used by mutual fund companies to market their funds to the public. However, funds […]
Are Wall Street’s talking heads reliable?
Every day that the stock markets are open, a host of TV, radio and print sources tell us what the market is doing and, more importantly, claim to tell us why. Oh really? Is it that easy? CNBC and Bloomberg News and the market wrap programs on every radio show seem to make that claim. We hear one day that […]
Client Letter – Q4 2003
Happy New Year! After reviewing my clients? performance reports, I am almost speechless (which is a rare occurrence)! This past year will surely go down in the record books as one of the best ever, especially for well-diversified investors. But, before we get too excited, let’s see if there is something we can learn from the events of 2003. Take […]
Fund investigations: Should you sell now?
The mutual fund scandals keep coming at shell-shocked investors who wonder whether they should abandon the whole industry and put their money under a mattress. It all depends whether you own shares in funds of companies charged in the scandal. It is important to put the scary headlines in perspective. There are thousands and thousands of mutual funds. Only a […]
Are investors sharper than in 1911?
“One minor conclusion from all this data and experience is that the very small investor is the most inveterate bargain hunter in the world” It is the small investor who always wants 100 percent on his money and who is willing to take the most astounding chances to get it.” Does this magazine quote sound like the typical small investor today” […]