Bonds are popular investment vehicles because they pay interest income with a promise to pay back the initial investment after an agreed-upon period of time. Bond mutual funds may be even more popular among those seeking an income component in their portfolio because they offer a lower-cost, professionally managed, diversified alternative to individual bonds. However, […]
One of the most basic distinctions between mutual funds is whether the fund manager employs an active or a passive management approach. An active management style means the fund manager uses analytic or forecasting tools to select individual stocks for the fund portfolio. In a passive approach, the fund manager simply buys whatever stocks are […]
One of the most well-known investors of the 20th Century, Benjamin Graham, said that “the investor’s chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself.”¹What Graham understood—and modern research is catching up to—is the idea that we all have emotions and biases that affect our decision-making. The innate wiring built to survive pre-modern times […]
If you’re creating an investment strategy designed to help you pursue long-term financial goals, understanding the relationship between company size, return potential, and risk is crucial. With that knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to build a balanced stock portfolio that comprises a mix of “market caps.” [images style=”2″ image=”http%3A%2F%2Frebelfinancial.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FThe-words-Financial-Market-crosing-making-the-letter-X-300×212.jpg” width=”300″ align=”right” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ left_margin=”20″ right_margin=”20″ […]
If I asked you to name the most risky asset class, which would you pick? [images style=”2″ image=”http%3A%2F%2Frebelfinancial.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FA-word-collage-based-around-financial-risk300x299.jpg” width=”300″ align=”right” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ left_margin=”20″ right_margin=”20″ full_width=”Y”] Emerging markets1 Commodities2 High-yield bonds3 Each investment has unique risks, but volatility of returns is one measure that can be applied to all. At its simplest level, volatility is the […]
While the U.S. stock market, as represented by the S&P 500 Index, has risen a stunning 205.66% as of March 31, 2015, since its low on March 9, 2009, some investors are still reluctant to participate after the near market collapse that accompanied the 2007-2008 financial crisis.1 [images style=”2″ image=”http%3A%2F%2Frebelfinancial.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FOvercome-fear-300×285.jpg” width=”300″ align=”right” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”020″ left_margin=”20″ […]
Alternative investments are often defined not by what they are, but by what they are not. It is this quality that could make alternatives potentially valuable diversifiers when added to a portfolio of traditional investments. While some investors may equate alternative investments with the high-risk/high-return vehicles that garner the lion’s share of media attention (especially […]
Recent years have witnessed the mainstreaming of alternative investments for certain accredited investors.¹[images style=”2″ image=”http%3A%2F%2Frebelfinancial.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FComplicated-formula-on-blackboard-300×273.jpg” width=”300″ align=”right” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ left_margin=”20″ right_margin=”20″ full_width=”Y”] McKinsey & Company, a global consulting firm, found that individuals in the U.S. have put more than $625 billion into alternative investments. By year end 2015, McKinsey expects alternative investments will represent 13% […]
When it comes to interest rates, one thing’s for certain: What goes down will eventually come up. The federal funds rate — the rate on which short-term interest rates are based — has varied significantly over time. It’s a cycle of ups and downs that can affect your personal finances — your credit card rates, […]
Oil prices, which are down nearly one-third since last summer’s peak, have come under pressure due in large part to new energy supplies — notably from the United States — which are tipping the balance of supply and demand.1 Over the past several years U.S. oil production has increased more than 70% and, according to […]
