Asset Allocation

The traditional view of portfolio management is that three asset classes, stocks, bonds and cash, are sufficient to achieve diversification. This view is, quite simply, wrong because over the past 10 years gold, silver and platinum have singularly outperformed virtually all major widely accepted investment indexes. Precious metals should be considered an independent asset class and an allocation to precious metals, as the most uncorrelated asset group, is essential for proper portfolio diversification.

The market crash of 2008 did not just hurt the S&P, it hurt real estate and gold equities. The sell off was brutal. Was 2008 an isolated incident or does a crash in general equities always spell doom for gold and gold stocks? This article examines 5 previous bear markets starting in 1973 in the S&P and looks at the performance of gold and gold stocks.

Today we have identified 5 IoT stocks that are in the business of selling and/or manufacturing the hardware, software, and comprehensive solutions. The stocks on our list have surged as high as 94% year to date and show no signs of slowing down.

9 years ago, Warren Buffett made a $500,000 bet that a simple index fund would outperform an actively managed hedge fund run by expert investors and it did for one or more of the 3 reasons outlined in this insightful article.

While we can’t possibly predict the performance of either stocks or bonds, what we can fairly confidently deduce is that further stock strength relative to bonds is unlikely over the coming months.

I think the pros outweigh the cons overall regarding indexing but it’s always a good idea to consider the risks involved when any idea becomes so popular so allow me to play Devil’s Advocate on index funds.

Like casino gamblers, most small resource stock buyers motivated by one or two wins continue to play the game until the ‘House’ has their money. Here’s a few common mistakes retail investors make speculating in junior resource stocks.

The recent preference for value has further to go in my view... primarily because value still appears cheap relative to growth.

You also have to remember that we always live in uncertain times. Asset allocation is how you manage your money without knowing what the future holds. Asset allocation is for long-term people. Here's a financial advisor’s guide to asset allocation:

The amount of evidence stacking up that mutual funds do not provide value for their investors is just staggering o what is an investor to do? s