Fundamentals vs. Sentiment
Stocks are assets. The true value of any asset is simply the discounted value of all future cash flows. This holds true for stocks,...
Default Risk Among the Many Concerns with Annuities
The recent turmoil in the equity and credit markets has created angst and panic among investors. Emotionally charged investment decisions are being made without...
Crumbling Pillars
The pillars of support preventing the overvalued euro from depreciating versus the U.S. dollar are quickly crumbling. On a purchasing power parity basis, our...
The Energy Equivalent Value of Wood
People who live in cold northern climates are likely to face stiff home heating oil bills this winter. If heating oil prices average $5...
International Investing & Taxes
Are you aware of the tax implications of international investing? When you invest in foreign securities, even those listed on U.S. exchanges, your investment...
There Will Be Water
Roberts County is a neat square in a remote corner of the Texas Panhandle, a land of rolling hills, tall grass, oak trees, mesquite,...
WARNING! Avoid the Catastrophic Thinking of Retirement Investing
Ah, retirement. Congratulations. You made it. Whether you got here by selling your business or working your way through corporate America, you’ve made it...
Retirement Arithmetic
Are you planning an early retirement? We urge you to check out our retirement income arithmetic before you hurry off into the sunset. Let’s...
Give’em an inch and they’ll take a mile
Prior to 1913, the federal government was constrained from directly taxing personal income. Along came the 16th Amendment and the concept of limited government...
Bond Funds
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal by Jonathan Clements highlighted the advantages of low-cost bond funds.
Jonathan correctly points out that low-cost bond...