The ABC’s of behavioral biases: an introduction
By now, you’ve probably heard the news: Your own behavioral biases are often the greatest threat to your financial well-being. As investors, we leap before we look. We stay when we should go. We cringe at the very risks that are expected to generate our greatest rewards. All the while, we rush into nearly every […]
Market commentary – October 2017
Stock Markets Equity market returns over several periods ending September 30, 2017 are shown on the graph to the right. Here are a few highlights: Stocks provided above-average returns over the past quarter – REITs lagged. Non-domestic markets led the way in recent periods; over longer periods it was domestic markets. While it would be […]
Dow 22,000 – why we’re here and what it means
On August 2, 2017, the Dow Jones Industrial Average set a record, closing above 22,000 for the first time. People will debate the cause of the rally and how long it will last, but there is only one answer that matters to the prudent investor – time. Markets go up over time. Over the last […]
And now… A few things we won’t be doing as your financial advisor
Any investor who spends even a modest amount of time reading financially-based magazine articles, or occasionally watches or listens to financially-based TV or radio programs, can’t escape all the pronouncements financial advisors make to prospective clients. So, if you are new to Rockbridge, I thought it would be fun to share a few promises with […]
Equifax Breach Commentary
While the Equifax security breach only recently became public knowledge on September 8, in many ways, it was a lifetime ago. We were already on high alert for instances of identity theft. But the source, scope, and what seems like a justified feeling of betrayal associated with this particular breach have ushered in a new […]
Market Commentary – July 2017
Stock Markets The chart at right shows stocks performing well in the past quarter and six-month periods. Year to date, domestic large-cap stocks were up about 9% while small-cap stocks were up 5%. Stocks traded in international developed markets and emerging markets were up 14% and about 19%, respectively. Over three, five and ten years, […]
Why Perspective Matters
I often say that one of our primary roles as an advisor is to provide context and perspective for clients, allowing us to collaboratively make better decisions. Behavioral economists have identified narrow framing as the tendency for investors to make decisions without considering the big picture or long-term effect on their portfolio. This behavior can […]
History of the Fee-Only Advisor Movement
I recently returned from a fee-only advisor industry conference. In addition to educational opportunities, it was a rewarding experience to spend time with other like-minded professionals. Rockbridge advisors have been attending these conferences for almost 10 years, so I thought it would be interesting to share a bit of the history behind the fee-only movement. More […]
Do You Suffer from “Narrow Framing”?
Oftentimes, many investors get caught up in short-term results rather than looking at the big picture. This is known to behavioral economists as “narrow framing,” or “a tendency to see investments without considering the context of the overall portfolio.” Unfortunately, this idea can lead to many missed opportunities for investors. Narrow framing can cause investors to either […]
Avoiding Financial Scams and Identity Theft Slams
Young or old, wealthy or poor, online or in person … Nobody is immune from financial scams and identity theft slams. No matter who you are or how well-informed you may be, the bad guys are out there, daily devising new tricks for every fraud we fix. Who Are They? Fraudsters and Thieves Financial fraudsters […]