Achieving alpha in the financial markets is no easy feat. As such, the author of today’s article advocates that, in seeking alpha, “all of us need to look in our backyards, where all our personal financial decisions are waiting to be optimized.” How? He outlines a number of strategies pertaining to Social Security benefits, retirement accounts and taxes which, combined,…
The expectation in some circles is that emerging markets will be the only category of equities that will generate a significant return above inflation over the next 7 to 10 years. Given this, retirees may be tempted to allocate a sizable chunk of their portfolio to emerging market equities. Today’s article, however, outlines why retirees may be well-served to reconsider…
When it comes to what retirees typically want in their stocks, today’s article sums it up as “dividend stocks that have high yields, consistent payments, and good outlooks for the future.” The author proceeds to highlight three stocks that seem to fit this bill perfectly: a major oil company (which is positioned to continue to do right by its investors…
It’s National Retirement Planning Week – and in the spirit thereof (and given the market’s wild ride of late), the author of today’s article advises that “you may…want to set aside some time to see where your retirement plans stands and what the likelihood is that you’ll be able to fund a long and satisfying retirement.” He outlines two steps…
Once only an option for the very wealthy, Self-Directed Individual Retirement Accounts (SDIRAs) – where the account holder controls the account’s investments (and those investments can include a wide array of choices beyond just stocks and bonds) – are now entering the mainstream as more people look to alternative assets to help secure their golden years. Could an SDIRA be…
With interest rates ticking up, prospects for higher inflation as a result of economic growth, and the uncertainty that comes with a new face helming the Federal Reserve, how can fixed-income investors go about preparing for this environment and the additional risks it poses? The author of today’s article highlights his favorite idea in that regard – a vehicle which…
Retirees generally want two things from their stocks, note the authors of today’s article: security and income. They further note that “Ideal picks are established companies with wide moats and a long history of dividend hikes.” They proceed to highlight three such stocks that may be particularly solid picks for retirees – including one “rock-solid dividend stock” that may currently…
Stocks that pay a monthly dividend can be an attractive option – especially for retirees. As the author of today’s article notes, not only do monthly dividend payers provide income on a schedule that matches up with monthly bills, but monthly payouts can be a sign of a company’s stability and they allow for faster gains if those dividends are…
After an extended period of near record-low volatility, the market has seen a number of marked declines in recent weeks. Market declines can be terrifying – especially for those just starting retirement. As the author of today’s article notes, “retirement success is influenced by the returns that an investor earns when their portfolio is largest (presumably right at retirement). Therefore,…
Much of the market volatility of late has been the result of concerns over inflation creeping up – and the prospect of the Federal Reserve continuing to raise interest rates in response. The author of today’s article looks at what rising rates mean for your money, depending on the positioning of your portfolio in terms of bonds and stocks. Will…