Market Commentary – January 2017
Stock Markets While markets were down early in the quarter, most, but not all, have bounced back since the Election with small company stocks and value stocks leading the way. Stocks traded in international markets and emerging markets have not fared as well in this period, reflecting a strengthening of the dollar. This means a […]
Interest Rates Are On The Rise – What Should I Do About Bonds Now?
There is much talk and concern about increasing interest rates, which will not be good for bond performance. Below are responses to some of the specific questions we have received from clients. Q: Why have interest rates increased since the election? A: Many of the ideas put forth by President-elect Trump are perceived to be […]
What’s Happening At Rockbridge
In 2016, Rockbridge welcomed 145 new families to our community of clients. We ended the year helping clients manage $552 million of investment assets. This represents an increase of 12.4% over last year. We continue to evaluate our staffing to provide the high level of service that our clients have come to expect from our […]
Market Commentary- November 2016
Markets in November The campaign is finally over and Donald Trump won. Markets respond to surprises and this result was one. Tuesday night I, along with many others, anticipated a starkly negative response. Yet, most, but not all, stocks went up and have generally stayed there. Domestic small company stocks and value stocks responded big […]
What You Need To Know Before Hiring A Financial Advisor
There are many things to consider when you are looking to hire a financial advisor, and many people are not sure which questions to ask. This article from Inc.com shares a few items to keep in mind when looking for someone to manage your money. It is important to look for terms such as “certified […]
Post-Election Reflections
Whether you find the election results exciting or shocking, we are now faced with the question, “What’s next?” With respect to your investments, here’s a quick reminder of how we feel about that: Ample evidence informs us that it is unwise to alter your long-term investment strategy in reaction to breaking news, no matter how […]
Market Commentary – October 2016
Stock Markets It was a pretty good quarter for stocks, with the riskier small-cap and emerging market stocks leading the way. REIT’s gave back some of their robust returns of prior periods. The year-to-date numbers for stocks are solid as well. The riskier markets have done better this quarter, which is consistent with an increased […]
The Road to Retirement
Managing clients’ financial assets is at the heart of what we do here at Rockbridge. However, having a well thought out investment portfolio will only get you so far if every facet of your financial life is not addressed correctly or on time. Rockbridge is here to help you answer all these tough questions and […]
Can Index Funds Become Too Popular?
Once Upon a Time… When we started an investment advisory firm in 1991, it seemed obvious to Bob Ryan and me that structuring portfolios by focusing on asset allocation was superior to the stock picking culture of the day. The ability to implement the strategy with low-cost index funds was still a new innovation, and […]
Elections and the Stock Market
With less than a month to go before the Presidential election, many clients and friends have asked me how the markets will respond to the voters’ choice. While there will be no shortage of prognostications in the media, investors would be well served to avoid speculating. Trying to outguess the market is often a losing […]