Learning Center

Do Corporate Bonds Add Value in Portfolios

Date14 Mar 2014

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I frequently get asked about the merits of corporate bonds, both investment-grade (IG) and high-yield (HY), relative to government and municipal bonds. I don’t believe the risk-return profile for long-term investors (particularly taxable individual investors) is improved by owning IG or HY corporate bonds compared with simply owning a diversified portfolio of stocks and high-quality...

How to Confront Debt Before You Retire

Date14 Mar 2014

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It used to be that once Americans neared retirement, they had whittled down (or eliminated) their debt. Freed from monthly principal and interest payments, these fortunate individuals were prepared to retirewith dignity. Times have changed. Read the rest of the article on US News.

A Thriving Export to Canada: Broker Misconduct

Date14 Mar 2014

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Most Americans have a high regard for our Canadian neighbors to the north. We respect their honesty, their integrity and, especially, their civility. The statistics on crime in the U.S. and Canada show that Canadians live in a more lawful, peaceful society. Violent crime in the U.S. is appallingly higher per 100,000 inhabitants than in Canada. Murder...

Making the Most of a Bad 401(k)

Date14 Mar 2014

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We need not look far to learn that 401(k) plans are imperfect or worse, so instead of lumping on more criticism about how you and your employer have botched your 401(k), let’s discuss how to make the most of a not-so-great situation. Read the rest of the article on Forbes.

The Best Investment Strategy? Getting Out of Our Own Way

Date14 Mar 2014

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We’re still making the same old mistake of buying investments when prices are high and selling them once their prices have fallen. I had hoped things had changed, I really did. But Morningstar’s latest Investor Returns data says otherwise. More than 10 years after I first started thinking about this data, the behavior gap still exists. The...

Planning Through the Generations

Date14 Mar 2014

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Multigenerational planning involves the transfer of wealth, but it also extends to intangible concepts such as family values and legacy wishes. Conversations about multigenerational planning begin with the first generation. The success of an estate plan can depend on whether the details of that plan have been properly communicated to family members. Therefore, it is...

Don’t get blown off course by a windfall

Date12 Mar 2014

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So you’ve experienced a financial windfall and you don’t know what to do with it. This is what we refer to as a “luxury problem,” right? Indeed, you’d think this would be the most glorious dilemma possible to befall you and your household. But for some, a windfall can be more of a curse than...

Asset Allocation Guide: How much risk do you need?

Date12 Mar 2014

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The first two posts in our series on asset allocation focused on investors’ ability and willingness to take risk. Today, we turn our attention to the third of our three tests, the need to take risk. The need to take risk is determined by the rate of return required to achieve financial objectives. The greater the rate of return...

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