The Market moved very little in Q2 2015. For update see http://www.bloomberg.com/markets These “uncertain times”. This expression is utilized constantly to express the complexity of our world and the opaque and unknowable future. It is interesting to stop and think about what times were more certain. Looking back at different historical events that were daunting, it is quite deceptive in hindsight to think that outcomes were foreseeable or predictable. The range of outcomes after WWI, WW2, the … [Read more...]

Q1 2015 was a volatile quarter that ended nearly flat. The S&P 500 did book a .4% advance, but overall in the US, markets seem to be having difficulty moving higher. We are seeing some gains outside the United States in Germany, and even Japan has been moving up. See complete coverage at http://www.bloomberg.com/markets. Watching the markets gyrate, I can always reassure myself that portfolio values will likely be higher at some point in the future. The growth may take a long time to … [Read more...]

A Time for Resolve To be grateful for family and friends To view health as the greatest blessing and to strive to live in more wholesome ways Seek patience and calm in the face of challenge Push for discipline and persistence in the pursuit of projects and goals Recognize giving as the most important act, and embrace the rewards that charity will bring Calm and serenity is the ultimate goal, to be sought one minute at a time Always bring a sense of humor to make everything better As a … [Read more...]

Q3 2014 has granted investors another positive quarter as summed up by the Wall Street Journal: “Dow up 1.3% and the S&P 500 up 0.6% in the third quarter. The S&P's quarterly gain marked its seventh in a row, the longest period of gains since a 14-quarter winning streak that ended in 1998. The Nasdaq also posted its seventh straight quarterly gain, its longest streak of wins since the eight quarters ended in 1996. Evidence of an improving economy—second-quarter U.S. growth was revised … [Read more...]

Q2 2014 Shows at YTD on the S&P 500 of 6.1%. The market continues to push forward in the face of geopolitical turmoil and the psychological wall of all-time market highs on the Dow and S&P 500. See http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/  for complete data. The tragic and heart wrenching affliction of what was originally referred to as “Shell Shock” after the First World War is something that we can never make light of. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that affects soldiers and is a severe … [Read more...]

US Equity markets about even to start the year  http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks/ Prices seem to be consolidating the rise that began at the bottom of the financial crisis in March 2009. As equity and other asset values go higher, it will take time for the profitability of US and global corporations to catch up. After the rise that occurred in 2013 it is normal to feel that “what goes up, must come down”. Assets prices have not gone down over the long run, although the short run has all … [Read more...]

Blessing Counting Family : All in the Shink Clan are well and wish the best for all of our friends and clients First World : We all live in a top rate first world country – I would say USA is #1 by a huge margin, but let’s try to stay humble Food : We all like to eat, right? Make sure you eat right though Heat : Energy supplies are growing and we can all stay warm this chilly winter for less$$ Portfolio Results : Huge market in 2013 that continues the process of recovery from financial … [Read more...]

The S&P 500 posted a positive quarter rising 4.7%. Over the last twelve months, the S&P is up a bit over 17%. For full coverage see http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/markets/usmarkets/usmarkets.asp As we continue to benefit from a market that climbs the proverbial “Wall of Worry”, there is another showdown / negotiation / stalemate in our federal government. Sounds of Hedgehogs Where can we turn for a reasonable forecast of… The economy? Jobs and unemployment? Presidential, … [Read more...]

Standard & Poor's 500 moved down 5.8% in less than five weeks. The index has since recovered somewhat, and now sits 3.8% off its record high of 1669—up 12.6% for the year. The benchmark yield on 10 year Treasuries jumped to 2.61% from 1.63% in just two months before settling near 2.5%. Commodities have been experiencing declines. See http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/ for full coverage. Uncertain Times It is always fascinating to hear the pundits and publicity seekers that appear in … [Read more...]

S&P up 10% YTD March 9, 2013 was the forty eight month anniversary of the bottom of our recent global financial crisis. On Monday 3-25-13 Cyprus was filling leading financial headlines around the world. The story was full of dread and panic that the Cypriot banking system was on the verge of collapse and that it would begin a domino effect into other banking systems in southern Europe. My first reaction was confusion that I had not heard of this before. Was now the time that a big shoe was … [Read more...]