While ETFs offer numerous advantages over traditional actively-managed mutual funds and individual stocks – near total transparency, intraday trading, and a (generally) more straightforward tax situation – they aren’t foolproof, and there are plenty of opportunities to make mistakes while investing in ETFs. Words: 1991
Many ETFs now present unique approaches to stock and bond investing by tweaking popular and widely-followed benchmarks. The very first ETF, the S&P 500 SPDR (SPY), remains by far the largest U.S.-listed ETF, reflecting investor familiarity with the underlying benchmark, but there are now approximately 30 other issuers now competing for a slice of this still-growing pie. Words: 789
While there will be some corrections in the medium term as Beijing tries to balance growth and inflation to curb potential bubbles these pullbacks should prove to be good entry points for long term investors. Words: 631
Central banking makes it possible for the government to expand the money supply by any amount, at any time deemed necessary and once (hyper)inflation is publicly seen as being the lesser evil of all options available for the government meeting its debt service, it cannot be dismissed out of hand that (hyper)inflation would be the consequence of an unsustainable debt-to-GDP ratio. Words: 982
The debate over deflation/inflation continues as some of our most astute economic observers take sides. Frankly, I think that both sides are missing part of the picture. The debate concentrates on the after shocks of inflation/deflation: prices instead of the money supply and the demand for it. Words: 721
Looking forward, our formula for working out of the current deficit pattern would be to have the Republicans regain control of one house of Congress (but not both houses of Congress plus the White House). The economy fully recovers. I’m not ready to forecast surpluses to come, but I can envision the deficits coming down to reasonable magnitudes. Words: 1438
The final phase will be a time of higher savings and flight back to the U.S. dollar, i.e. more aversion to risk. It’s also a period that begins the healing of economies and it’s driven by austerity. This means higher taxes, higher savings, a stronger dollar and a lower standard of living. In short, it’s a period of rebalancing and rebuilding. Words: 555
Since the economic recovery began, many investors have looked to Asia to drive growth and stimulate global demand. China has grabbed most of the headlines, as tremendous growth in the world’s most populous nation has essentially pulled this emerging market into a tie with Japan as the world’s second-largest economy. While China’s growth has been impressive, however, recent data releases have shown that Asia isn’t a one-trick pony. Words: 781
Real yields on TIPS are very good indicators of the bond market’s growth and inflation expectations. Currently they are telling us that the bond market expects sub-par growth and no significant increase in inflation. Words: 401
There is probably going to be more speculative money flowing into commodity markets again in 2010 but considering the supply/demand situation, we think soft commodities could easily go up 30%+ in 2010 and still not look overly expensive. Words: 436
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