Practical Gold Investments
December 2018 was a tough month for the stock market. In fact, the S&P 500 started falling in October of 2018. An aging bull market, a trade war that could be long term, higher interest rates, and falling profits are all indicators that the long run up in stock prices is over. When a bear market is on the horizon, one of the options for an investor is to take profits from stocks and look for some practical gold investments. The key here is the word “practical.” There are inefficient and difficult ways to invest in gold and then there […]
Investment Risks for 2019
The stock market has been volatile and ended 2018 badly as the worst year in the last ten. Has the market gotten the jitters out of its system or is more trouble in store? What are the investment risks for 2019 and how can you prepare your investment portfolio?
Investment Risks for 2019
The trade war will continue and get worse.
Interest rates will rise excessively due to the Federal Reserve.
The global and U.S. economy will slow down.
As a result the stock market will continue to be volatile and experience losses.
Investment Risks for 2019 from the Trade War
The deficit that the USA runs […]
How to Protect Your Investments from a Recession
The trade war shows signs of becoming long term and it is taking its first bite out of Chinese manufacturing. Many economists are predicting a global recession in the coming year and in this interconnected world the USA will not be immune. The question is how to protect your investments from a recession.
How to Protect Your Investments from a Recession
The first choice in protecting your investing capital is to convert to cash or cash equivalents such as we mentioned in our article about how to invest without losing any money. US bank accounts are protected by Federal Deposit Insurance and […]
How Will Higher Interest Rates Affect Your Investments?
The US Federal Reserve Open Market Committee raised interest rates again last week by a quarter of a percent. How will higher interest rates affect your investments? There are several ways that that higher rates will affect your portfolio both immediately and over the long term. Here are a few thoughts on the subject.
Immediate Effects of Higher Interest Rates on Your Investments
U.S. Treasuries
Corporate Bonds
Dividend Stocks
U.S. Treasuries and Corporate Bonds
If you currently have U.S Treasuries, AA, or AAA corporate bonds in your investment portfolio, they just became a little less valuable when the Fed raised rates last week. And, if the […]
What Investments Should You Choose Right Now?
There is always a risk in giving or receiving investment advice. Many times do we read that an expert is making suggestions based on “what their charts show.” There may be useful information in their research but there is also a huge fudge factor. This is because the “expert” is not really giving you specific advice but only relaying what their “chart” might be predicting. Meanwhile, as the market is heading downward every day, you are wondering this, what investments should you choose right now?
General versus Specific Investment Advice
General investment advice, when it as some value, is based on past […]
Defensive Investment Strategy for 2019
As the year ends and investors celebrate the holidays with family and friends, the stock market is deep into correction territory and the real estate market may not be very far behind. The suggestion one hears from all sides is that it is time to adopt a defensive investment strategy for 2019 and perhaps beyond. But, just what is a defensive investment strategy? When should you go defensive? And when will it be time to get aggressive again? First, here are some thoughts about going defensive for the coming year.
Defensive Investment Strategy for 2019
As a practical matter, what investments should […]
Pros and Cons of Infrastructure Investing
With the Democrats in control of the House of Representatives for the next two years a consensus may be reached to fund upgrades in the sorry state of US infrastructure. This issue needs to be addressed but has repeatedly been pushed back due to political fights over attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act or fund a big wall between the USA and Mexico. Assuming that funding goes through to repairs roads and bridges, water treatment and the power grid, or rail links and airports, what are the pros and cons of infrastructure investing. And, where would the best places […]
When Investing Becomes Dangerous What Are Your Best Choices?
The long-term bull market is not only weakening; it is becoming a treacherous market according to Mad Money’s Jim Cramer. So, when investing becomes dangerous what are your best choices? Here is some of what Cramer says.
Between the mixed messages on U.S.-China trade and concerns about an economic slowdown, day-to-day stock-picking is becoming very challenging for the average investor, CNBC’s Jim Cramer acknowledged on Tuesday.
“We’ve got to call a spade a spade. This market isn’t just volatile, it’s treacherous,” he said after yet another turbulent trading session on Wall Street. “I don’t want the treachery, which is not going to […]
How Much Will Your Investments Be Worth in One, Five, and Ten Years?
Investors are concerned today as the market corrects, the trade war threatens to be long term, the Trump tax cut effects are wearing off, and earnings are taking a hit. But, one needs to put things in perspective when looking at long term investing. When making investment decisions, ask yourself how much will your investments be worth in one, five, and ten years.
Stock Market Investment Perspective
The New York Times has an interesting article in this respect. Despite recent losses, stocks are riding high when you look at the longer term.
Lately, the markets have been rattled about the prospect that a […]