Eye Of The Hurricane

My opinion of the implications of the historic vote on health care are as follows:

To use a hurricane analogy, we have been in a economic and political hurricane, on many fronts, since president Obama was elected. From the reaction by the stock market today, we are in the eye of the hurricane where the winds slow down. This calmer stage may last a day, a week, a month. Who knows.

As with real hurricanes, once you leave the eye, things can get pretty rocky again. It is for this reason that we continue to be at approximately 48% stock exposure in our balanced models and mutual fund.

INVESTING LESSON:
Only by standing against the prevailing winds–selectively, but resolutely–can an investor prosper over time. Such a strategy may underperform during markets that are rising based upon the momentum of the herd vs. fundamental valuations.

Job Losses Continue = Slow/Stagnant Recovery

I have not blogged in several weeks. This is due to my continued work on the materials associated with Wade Financial Group's new approach to investing, called LifeStage. More on this coming soon.

Please click on the title of this blog to read an article from TheStreet.com more about the mounting layoffs across America. This blog is a reminder that with layoffs continuing to increase, the chances for a sustainable recovery remain low. This is why we have some "defense on the field" in all of our balanced portfolios.
INVESTING LESSON:
Only by standing against the prevailing winds–selectively, but resolutely–can an investor prosper over time. Such a strategy may underperform during markets that are rising based upon the momentum of the herd vs. fundamental valuations.

Tuesday's Skewering of Toyota by Our Elected Officials Was One Of The Most Embarrassing Moments For Our Country In Years

Our country (you and me), which now owns two of the three U.S. auto manufacturers, used the bully pulpit this week, creating a real conflict of interest (via our elected officials) to beat up the CEO of Toyota. This is the same company that employs 200,000 Americans in the U.S.

Nothing more to say.

When You Travel, Wear Something From The College You Went To

I have found that if you, or one of your kids, etc. attended a particular college, wearing something with that school's name on it, is a great way to meet people. This works well for small to medium size colleges.

I am from Indianapolis and my daughter is currently a junior at Butler. I am traveling today from Savannah to Indianapolis to visit her and to go to my second Butler basketball game of the season.

I was only minutes into the Savannah airport when someone stopped me and said "Hey, did you go to Butler?" This also happened on the streets of Savannah two weeks ago and the last time I flew to Las Vegas. Turns out the retired gentleman I met today, played on Butler's basketball team and faced off against the Ohio State team that sported Jerry Lucas, John Havilicheck, etc. He also played with the famous basketball star, Bobby Plump, famous for hitting the "last shot" in the movie "Hoosiers".

So next time you travel, wear a hat or t-shirt from your college and you will be surprised how many new people you will meet!

Where Have I Been Lately? Performing Deep Analysis of Our Portfolios Of Course!

December and January of each year I go through the process of taking all of our portfolios apart at Wade Financial Group, and then putting them back together again as if we were starting from scratch, based upon the world today, not one year ago.

I have a friend that tinkers with cars. The purpose of tinkering is to get more power, better fuel efficiency, etc. Sometimes when he takes an engine apart, when putting it back together, there may be those "aha" moments. These are moments when you stop the rebuilding process and consider that a newer/better part that was not around one year ago should replace a previous part. He would also take into consideration if the "environment" for the engine/car is different than the year before. Things like: what is the price of gas, does Ethanol really add value, is super charging in order or is bracing for a turbulent terrain justification for making major adjustments to the suspension system?

Myself, David Webb and Roy Chew have been working overtime to make adjustments for 2010 across all of our portfolios that we believe are prudent, based upon where we see the economy now and upcoming, vs. the past.

A future blog will recap the changes across our portfolios that we have/are making on behalf of the wealth our clients have entrusted us with.