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Wall Street often disregards the statistically sound results of years of study by the financial academics. Perhaps this is because much of the profit of Wall Street is based on ideas that are in opposition to the findings of academia. Whatever the reason, you most likely will not hear your broker touting the findings of…

Before I continue the discussion on understanding investment risk, I feel compelled to intervene with thoughts regarding last week’s responses to the Jackson Speaks section of this publication. The question proposed, “Do you think the public is being gouged at the gas pump,” resulted in a unanimous yes from local residents. Before I begin to…

When it comes to investment risk, two facts are true for everyone! Everyone takes investment risk, but risk doesn’t necessarily mean return. You might be saying to yourself either, “I don’t take investment risk,” or “I like risk, it means more return.” Well, I’m sorry to say it, but if you are either person, you’re…

Every study I have ever read comparing individual portfolio returns to the market always says the same thing regardless of who performs it. Individual portfolios in the market, “on average,” never perform as well as the market itself. The data on this subject is very compelling, sound, and difficult to dispute. So, what can you…

Merrill Rule Caveat Emptor – Your Broker’s Interest May Not Be Yours January 31, 2006, a new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruling went into effect allowing broker-dealer’s to further confuse the public regarding objective investment advice. The measure that was approved in 2005 was initiated by the broker-dealer Merrill Lynch, hence the nickname of…