This month’s Comments provide current examples of an important point we have made regularly in the past: no one really knows the causes for stock prices and their sometimes dramatic changes. Current case in point: from Friday, February 2nd through Thursday, February 8th, covering only five business days, US stock prices (S&P 500), declined by approximately 9% (2,832 to 2,581, …
Special Memo: Longer Term History of Stock Price Declines
As stock prices continue their recent sharp fluctuations, mostly to the downside, we are writing again with more information (research from Guggenheim Investments), to present a long term perspective. From year-end 1945 to year-end 2017, covering 72 years and using the S&P 500 index (note: S&P 500 index and Dow Industrial average often have similar percentage price changes), there have …
Bitcoin and Blockchain Technology
Last month we focused on whether Bitcoin should be considered an investment, and we agreed with those who concluded it should not be considered a traditional one. This month, we continue the conversation by making the important distinction between Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on the one hand, and the underlying technology for these currencies, known as blockchain. Note: The following …
Jan 2018 Comments: How Interest Rates Impact Stock Prices
Last month in our discussion of interest rates, we stated that ”one major interest rate story for the year 2017 deserves additional comment: the fact that while there were three one-quarter point increases in the short-term rates controlled by the Federal Reserve, the ten-year US Treasury rate, set by the marketplace of buyers and sellers, was almost unchanged for …
Special Memo: Current Stock Price Declines
Whenever stock prices experience large short-term declines, we make sure to check in with you to put the declines in perspective. The chart at the bottom of this memo provides figures that should help. The media likes to present large numbers in its reporting, but the focus should always be on percentages. Using end of January 2018 price levels, a …
Bitcoin & Interest Rates
Since Bitcoin has become a very popular topic of discussion in and out of the financial world, we thought it was time for Park Piedmont to add our viewpoint. As you might imagine from a firm that advocates long-term investing with asset allocations implemented using low cost index funds, even the mention of Bitcoin would be highly questionable. Nevertheless, we …
Nov 2017 Comments: Giancarlo Stanton & the Folly of Prediction
As you may know, the Levinsons are pretty big baseball fans. Vic and Nick actually coached Tom’s little league teams (photos are available upon request), and Nick and Tom (and their sister Lynn) grew up going to Yankees games on the 4 train in the 70s and 80s. So there was some excitement upon the announcement, made this past weekend, …
October 2017 Comments: Bond Investments
Last month we changed our focus from the surprising, ongoing advance of stock prices since the 2016 election, to bonds, the other major asset class in most client portfolios. During September there was a substantial increase in market interest rates, which brought the benchmark ten-year US Treasury yield to 2.34%, up 21 bps from August’s close of 2.13%. October’s increase …
Don’t Touch My Money, Just Hold My Hand
A recent article by Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Zweig, entitled ‘Don’t Touch My Money, Just Hold My Hand’ (WSJ, June 9, 2017), touched on topics that reinforce the investment approach Park Piedmont has been conveying to clients since its founding in 2003. First: many people look to investment advisers to boost their investment returns. If that’s your perspective, “you may …
Known Facts, Unknowable Future
At Park Piedmont Advisors (PPA), we advise clients that trying to predict future events, and the financial market’s reactions to future events, can often lead to disappointing results. Rather, we advocate ignoring most current events and focusing instead on long term financial goals and the cost efficient investments that help achieve those goals. Here is an example of how even …