Biased & Unbiased ...

About Mutual Funds/ETFs and Why We Use Dimensional

There’s no other fund company that I know of that is remotely close to that level of consistent outperformance. It tells me that their scientific statistical based evidence based investing is working very well. It’s wonderful that it shows up in such a big way.

The Small Cap Value Smackdown! Update Nov. 12, 2024

Why did DFA win? First, DFA provides a greater tilt towards small and value. Another is that DFA uses techniques to overcome the large bid ask spread that exists for very small thinly traded stocks. Finally DFA also utilizes the profitability premium, which joins small and value as one of the pervasive market premiums available to investors.

Vote with Your Ballot, Not Your Life Savings

When people feel uncertain, they may be tempted to make investment decisions based on how they think elections might unfold. But there’s nothing in the historical data that’s strong enough to warrant changing your investment allocation based on who you think might win. In fact, trying to time the market may lead to costly mistakes. Investors are generally better off looking beyond elections and maintaining a steady approach to markets.

Ignoring the Bumps

There’s an important message here about not overreacting during a downturn—it could be a momentary blip in an otherwise upward climb for the markets. In fact, the Russell 3000 had an intrayear decline of at least 10% in 25 out of 45 years since 1979. In 17 of those 25, the index ended up for the year!

The Survey that Needs to be Written and Read

Do you have an actual plan that looks at all the moving parts of your personal finances and include cash projections that take into account inflation, taxes and market returns including how those elements vary over time? Does your plan include keeping an updated Estate Plan in place?

Midyear Review: Stocks Maintain Momentum at Year’s Halfway Point

How long can the bull market endure, and which way will inflation, and interest rates, go? Will the surge for AI-associated companies continue? Will global hostilities in the Middle East and Ukraine ease or increase? Will the US election bring a big November stock swing? (Spoiler: It usually hasn’t.) We’ll find out eventually, by the time the answers are also incorporated in market prices. Until then, 2024—like every year—is a good one for having a long-term plan and sticking with it.

AI Tide May Lift All Boats

Eventually, we may reach a point where, like the internet, it’s hard to fathom a time before broad AI usage. That means investors don’t need a narrow sector fund or concentration in a handful of stocks to capture AI-fueled gains. A broadly diversified portfolio is likely to capture what many view as a sea change event in progress.

According to Young Investors, Progress toward Goals Matters Most

Young investors were almost twice as likely to prioritize progress toward their goals as older investors. By targeting the size, value, and profitability premiums, advisors can help young investors make more progress toward their long-term goals.

Investing & Politics - A Historical Perspective

Bottom line - there is no connection to investment performance and which party is in power. It’s natural for those engaged in current politics to be very concerned about the other side winning and being in power. The flames are fanned by both sides and the media. Our advice - try very hard to disconnect your investing decisions, and emotions from current news and politics. Use data like this to remind you of the FACTS.