By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
This article from Dimensional Fund Advisors explores an old adage about whether or not monkeys throwing darts at a stock chart can really build a portfolio with higher returns than the average active money manager. According to this article, the answer is mixed. It really depends on the chart being used by the monkeys for target practice. Additionally, the sustainability of the monkey’s portfolio is largely dependent on patience, prudence and a deep understanding of underlying expenses. It certainly gives pause for thought. We hope you enjoy!
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Monday, 19 June 2017
Behavioral biases directly challenge an investor’s ability to make consistent, rational and logical investment decisions when faced with distractions. These distractions come from the media, uncertainty and volatility in the markets, or pressure to buy and sell from friends, relatives, financial “gurus” and other less than reliable sources for investment advice. Being able to identify distractions and put them in context can help investors see beyond their own human nature and act with more discipline when it comes to their portfolio choices.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
We had no idea that global headlines would be full of stories about on-line threats just days before we published a blog on enhancing cybersecurity! In fact, the ink “dried” on our newest post a few days before the most recent tech scare hit the news. Although the solutions in the following article are not 100% “hacker-proof”, they will offer the best protection from threats like ransomware, malware and identity theft. We hope our blog will help improve your online security.
The first personal computer introduced about 40 years ago filled an entire room, and has now shrunk to the size of something that fits in our back pocket. Just as technology has improved over time, so have the security protocols that are required to help protect us from digital theft. These security protocols that have been written by experts to help protect our critical and private data.
In an increasingly digital and technological world it can be overwhelming to grasp what the best practices are when it comes to ensuring that our data is safe and secure. The best place to begin is to understand where and how data breaches can occur, and then determine the best options to defend yourself from these types of threats.
Wednesday, 21 December 2016
The close of each calendar year brings with it a chance to look forward to the year ahead.
By the end of each year investors are likely to be bombarded with predictions about what the future, and specifically the next year, may hold for their portfolios. These outlooks are typically accompanied by recommended investment strategies and actions that are aimed at trying to avoid the next crisis or missing out on the next “great” opportunity. When faced with recommendations of this sort, it would be wise to remember that investors are better served by sticking with a long-term plan rather than changing course in reaction to predictions and short-term calls.
Thursday, 15 December 2016
Factor-based investing and the benefits of working with a financial advisor in the DFA network
For years it has been assumed that you have to be either an active or a passive investor. It is also assumed (depending on which camp you’re in) that one is better than the other. In our opinion, the argument about active vs passive management can be put squarely to bed--and the answer to which investing strategy we use is…Both. This is called factor-based investing and it is a strategy used by a company whose funds we use a great deal---Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA).
