Last week, I discussed how to inflation-proof the fixed income portion of your investment portfolio. If you missed this column, go to www.welchgroup.com; then go to ‘Stewart’s Weekly Column’ under the “In the News’ heading. This week I want to continue this discussion on inflation-proofing your portfolio by focusing on the equity side of […]
Inflation Proof Your Portfolio – Part II
Inflation Proofing Your Portfolio – Part I Fixed Income
Looking into the crystal ball of the next twelve to thirty-six months, many prognosticators are suggesting that inflation will rear its ugly head after more than a decade of hibernation. In fact, early indications are that inflation is beginning to heat up. The February 7 issue of Forbes Magazine states that the core consumer […]
Selling Your Home? Be Careful!
Low mortgage interest rates over the past several years have spurred home sales nationwide to record levels. The second dynamic is rising home prices. Owning your own home has been one of the best investments over the past five years. Most people selling their home today are realizing large profits. If you sell your […]
Social Security Privatization-Boon or Bust?
One of President Bush’s most significant initiatives for his remaining administration is to create private investment accounts for a portion of your Social Security contributions (withholdings). The immediate problem with this concept is that the money workers would divert to these private accounts is currently being used to pay current Social Security retirees. In […]
Plan for Success in 2005
With 2004 behind us, most people are taking a breather as they decide how to handle the holiday bills that are just now arriving in the mail. While it’s easy not to plan ahead for this year, planning now can produce some big benefits. Here’s what you should consider: · Change your retirement […]
How Rising Interest Rates will affect Your Pocketbook
By summer of last year interest rates had fallen to 45-year lows, sparking one of the greatest booms in real estate in recent history. In June of 2004, the Federal Reserve, led by Chairman Alan Greenspan, reversed this trend by raising interest rates for the first time in several years. Since then, the Federal […]
How Rising Interest Rates will affect Your Pocketbook
By summer of last year interest rates had fallen to 45-year lows, sparking one of the greatest booms in real estate in recent history. In June of 2004, the Federal Reserve, led by Chairman Alan Greenspan, reversed this trend by raising interest rates for the first time in several years. Since then, the Federal […]
Market Outlook – Part II
In last week’s column, I discussed the impact of the Republican domination of the 2004 elections would have on the economy and bond markets for 2005. For this week, let’s look at your best options for stock market investing for the coming year. In last year’s market forecast, I highlighted three areas: dividend […]
Market Outlook – Part II
In last week’s column, I discussed the impact of the Republican domination of the 2004 elections would have on the economy and bond markets for 2005. For this week, let’s look at your best options for stock market investing for the coming year. In last year’s market forecast, I highlighted three areas: dividend […]
Market Outlook-Part I
2004 turned out to be a rather strange year for the stock market. The U.S. stock market was stuck in a sideways pattern with a slightly negative bias due to a number of factors including the uncertainty of the outcome of the presidential elections. Senator Kerry and President Bush offered very different strategies for our […]