For most of this year (and last), Wall Street traders have been hoping that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates, a whish that they can now finally cross off their list. Market reaction was swift and euphoric with all major indexes gaining handsomely last week. By the market’s sharp up move you could get the impression that all of …
Sunday Musings: Japanese Housewives
The NYT featured a story titled “Japanese Housewives Sweat in Secret as Markets Reel.” While it is a funny read, it’s somewhat sad at the same time. It’s no secret that since the credit crisis struck this summer, large and well known brokerage firms and professional investors alike have suffered big time losses. It turns out that another class of …
ETF Investing: The Media Circus
If you missed it, you need to read Paul Farrell’s “All wrong! Bernanke, Paulson, Greenspan.” Not that this piece will help you much with your investing efforts, it’s the media circus at its best. Read it for entertainment only. Yes, it’s hard to believe that Paul, who has forever touted the Buy-and-Hold the coffeehouse and gone-fishing portfolios, is now forecasting …
No Load Fund/ETF Tracker updated through 9/20/2007
My latest No Load Fund/ETF Tracker has been posted at:http://www.successful-investment.com/newsletter-archive.phpThanks to Federal Reserve’s decision to lower interest rates by 1/2%, the markets staged one of the best rallies in quite some time. Our Trend Tracking Index (TTI) for domestic funds/ETFs jumped to +5.03% above its long-term trend line (red) as the chart below shows: The international index also moved sharply …
ETFs For Changing Times
With the recent announcement of unexpected job losses during August, and now the lowering of interest rates, the question about a slowing economy in 2008 has been moved again to the front pages. At this time this is only speculation, however, you may be interested in knowing which investment orientations might have the best potential during times of a slowdown. …
Retirement Investing: Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
It’s been an age old question. You’re facing retirement and are trying to decide whether it is wise to pay off your home mortgage or not. Maybe you have a bias because you witnessed your parents’ mortgage burning ceremony and are wondering if that still makes sense nowadays. As a general rule, I believe that living a retired life without …