Archive for October, 2008

1974 – Then and Now

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

We have all heard that "those who don't study history are bound to repeat it" or something similar.  This attachment is an excerpt from a letter written in 1974 by Jim ... more »

Fill ‘er Up, Please!

Monday, October 27th, 2008 by Charles Mayfield, CFP®

Gas prices have been extremely high and unpredictable thus far in 2008.  Several weeks ago I was travelling home from work.  As I approached the gas station I pass nearly every ... more »

Buffett – Raising the Roof?

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

Per the October 20, 2008 edition of Barron's, Warren Buffett revealed that he was now buying US stocks in his personal account (which had previously been invested solely in US Treasuries).  ... more »

Focus on the Fundamentals

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

Last week the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its best week since March 2003, up 4.8%.  What is particularly noteworthy about the week was that it included the best day since ... more »

Reversion to the Mean

Friday, October 10th, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

                                                                   On CNBC this morning, terms like "oversold" and "irrational pessimism" were uttered frequently.  Countless charts and graphs showing stock prices and current yields were abundant (some of them were amazing!).  Comparisons ... more »

Food for Thought- MFS Chief Investment Strategist

Friday, October 10th, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

                                 We get emails from every imaginable investment company - usually monthly or quarterly.  During times like these, they come more frequently.  Continuing our temporary onslaught of constant communication with you, ... more »

Asset Class Returns vs. a Balanced Portfolio

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

Another slide from the JP Morgan "Guide to the Markets 3Q 2008" series.                 Each color on the chart (click here for a bigger version) represents a different major asset class, year by ... more »

Lagging Economic Indicators-Cause for Optimism?

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

JP Morgan puts out a "Guide to the Markets" each quarter.  Interesting nugget....                                                    Past performance is no guarantee of future results (people are giving that statement more weight now than ever!). The ... more »

Time IN the market, not TIMING the market

Monday, October 6th, 2008 by Cass Chappell, CFP®

                                                                          Yes                                         No        With the recent volatility in the markets, investment companies have re-doubled their efforts in providing advisors like us with materials meant to "calm the nerves" of our ... more »