Standing at the Close of 2011

Dec 31, 2011

by Geoff Considine This has been a chaotic year in the financial world.  In this latest article, I will take a look at what happened in 2011 and give my personal views on where things are going for 2012. Many Happy Returns? The biggest news of the year would have to...

Argentina in December 2001 versus Europe in December 2011

Dec 31, 2011

This month marks the ten-year anniversary of Argentina’s massive sovereign debt default, an event with many lessons for the European sovereign debt crisis of today, though analogies are far from perfect.First, as has been discussed and debated on planet money and naked capitalism, the Argentine economy actually recovered quickly from the painful de…

Fearless Forecasts, 2012

Dec 30, 2011

Yet another year of upheaval and uncertainty bites the dust!
And not a moment too soon. I’m ready for a better year. I bet you are, too. I’m not asking for a lot.

A year when gas prices go down— and home prices go up— would do.
A few moments without screeching from the crumbling foundations of civilization would be nice….

China’s bear threat isn’t over

Dec 30, 2011

The squeeze is on in China’s real-estate market, which means slow going for the near future. I still like China stocks, but I’m steering clear for now.

Tactical Asset Allocation: Cross-Asset Allocation Still Delivered

Tactical Asset Allocation: Cross-Asset Allocation Still Delivered

Dec 30, 2011

P Goldman Sachs Global Tactical Include Emerging Market Diversified Bonds ETFs is the reference portfolio for MyPlanIQ’s Tactical Asset Allocation(TAA) that has been used for retirement investments portfolios for 401K, 403B, IRA and variable annuity investments....

Fearless Forecasts, 2012

Dec 30, 2011

Yet another year of upheaval and uncertainty bites the dust!
And not a moment too soon. I’m ready for a better year. I bet you are, too. I’m not asking for a lot.

A year when gas prices go down— and home prices go up— would do.
A few moments without screeching from the crumbling foundations of civilization would be nice….

Fearless Forecasts, 2012

Dec 30, 2011

Yet another year of upheaval and uncertainty bites the dust!
And not a moment too soon. I’m ready for a better year. I bet you are, too. I’m not asking for a lot.

A year when gas prices go down— and home prices go up— would do.
A few moments without screeching from the crumbling foundations of civilization would be nice….

Biggest financial surprises of 2011

Biggest financial surprises of 2011

Dec 30, 2011

By John Wasik (Reuters) – In every year, there are a host of surprises that come along like earthquakes: They are nearly impossible to predict. Who would have thought that Congress would be at loggerheads over raising its debt ceiling or that Standard & Poor’s...

The biggest money stories of 2011

Dec 29, 2011

From gyrating markets to anemic interest rates, it’s been a financially stressful year. Here are 8 stories that had a lasting financial impact — and what to do now.

401K Investments: Synopsys 401K Is Simple But Reasonable

Dec 29, 2011

Synopsys (Ticker: SNPS) is one of the largest electronic design automation (EDA) software providers. Its 401(k) plan provides a solid and relatively complete asset coverage in terms of equities. It is light in fixed income funds. Both REIT and commodities related...
ETF Review: Total Bond Indices’ Overweight on Treasuries

ETF Review: Total Bond Indices’ Overweight on Treasuries

Dec 29, 2011

Doubleline’s Jeffrey Gundlach presented the following chart of Barclay’s total bond index (AGG and BND) in his recent presentation:   Like it or not, a holder of Vanguard’s total bond index ETF BND or iShares Barclays Aggregate Bond ETF AGG is now...

How To Invest a College Age Daughter’s Inheritance

Dec 28, 2011

By Scott Burns
Q. My 19-year-old daughter inherited a healthy sum of money from her father's estate when he passed away. I am not very savvy with the market or investments. I’d like some help figuring out what to do with some of the funds.

First, she is in college now. We want to put about $60,000 in something that, preferably, will not l…

Asset Allocation Portfolio: An ETF Based Permanent Portfolio

Dec 28, 2011

It is an interesting concept to construct a permanent portfolio using ETFs. Permanent Portfolio ETF Version uses ETFs to mimic the Permanent Portfolio mutual fund PRPFX holdings: GLD, SLV, FXF, IGE, IYR, VTI, LQD, SHY, IEF. See a lazy portfolio Permanent Portfolio ETF...

Deliverance or disaster in 2012?

Dec 28, 2011

After we’re done wishing each other peace and prosperity, will Greece and austerity haunt our portfolios in the new year? Here’s how to get ready.

How To Invest a College Age Daughter’s Inheritance

Dec 28, 2011

Q. My 19-year-old daughter inherited a healthy sum of money from her father’s estate when he passed away. I am not very savvy with the market or investments. I’d like some help figuring out what to do with some of the funds.

First, she is in college now. We want to put about $60,000 in something that, preferably, will not lose money. It must …

How To Invest a College Age Daughter’s Inheritance

Dec 28, 2011

Q. My 19-year-old daughter inherited a healthy sum of money from her father’s estate when he passed away. I am not very savvy with the market or investments. I’d like some help figuring out what to do with some of the funds.

First, she is in college now. We want to put about $60,000 in something that, preferably, will not lose money. It must …

12 stock picks for ’12 from top pros

Dec 27, 2011

You may not know their names, but some investing newsletter writers produce returns that many investors would envy. Here are the outlooks — and favorite picks — of 6 of the best.

12 stock picks for ’12 from top pros

Dec 27, 2011

You may not know their names, but some investing newsletter writers produce returns that many investors would envy. Here are the outlooks — and favorite picks — of 6 of the best.