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Evaluating Hartford’s Performance

Date25 Jan 2016

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How do some of the market’s most recognizable active mutual fund families stack up to a comparable passive counterpart? To explore that question, I’ll continue my evaluation of active fund performance with an in-depth look the Hartford family of funds to determine whether the firm adds value for investors. Why Hartford? Aside from its prominent...

Correcting the adviser-client disconnect over the definition of risk

Date25 Jan 2016

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When we say the word “risk” to clients, we’re most often thinking of technical things. Like volatility or standard deviation. But when clients hear the word “risk,” they’re thinking of the chances they’ll run out of money or fail to meet an important goal.That’s a big disconnect, and super frustrating for both you and your...

Gurus’ ‘Sure Things’ For 2016

Date25 Jan 2016

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Every year, I like to keep track of the predictions that “gurus” and other market observers make for the upcoming year, specifically the ones that they say are “sure things.” It seems like no one in the financial media holds them accountable (which is a shame, since the evidence shows there are no good forecasters),...

‘The Big Short’: A Big Wake-Up Call

Date25 Jan 2016

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I agree with the glowing reviews of The Big Short. The film does a wonderful job of exposing the mendacity of the financial industry and the role it played in almost causing a worldwide economic collapse. Its depiction of Wall Street as infested with greed, devoid of ethics and indifferent to the real-life consequences of...

What to Make of 10-Year Small-Cap and Value Results

Date25 Jan 2016

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Ken French’s recently updated global factor data shows the global size and value premiums were basically flat for the past 10 years (the value premium was actually about –1 percent per year over this span). This long-term historical result has surprised many people and naturally led some to ask whether these premiums can be expected...

When Financial Talk Turns Personal

Date25 Jan 2016

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Recently, my family needed a new vehicle. I’ve always wanted a truck, and I knew we would get tons of use out of it. Could I have found a cheaper vehicle? Sure. But I knew we could afford the truck, so after lots of careful thought, we decided to buy it. Anytime I make a...

Keep Calm And Step Forward

Date25 Jan 2016

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A good friend, Sherman Doll, related the following story. Sherman has been a two-line sport kite flier for years. While not a pro, he has learned a few tricks from observing the flying behavior of these kites. He told me that one of the most difficult skills for beginners to master is what to do...

What Warren Buffett Isn’t Doing

Date25 Jan 2016

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I don’t know Warren Buffett. I didn’t interview him for this article. But I’m pretty sure I know what he isn’t doing to cope with the worst first four trading days in history for the S&P 500 index to begin a calendar year. Buffett isn’t listening to pundits on TV The financial media loves market...

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