Investor Insights

So many investors think that P/E's, rates, margins, earnings growth, PEG ratios and the constant growth of same are the key ingredients to successful portfolio decisions. If that were really the case, why then is everyone still so dissatisfied? Why then does the public get just 30% of what the market produces over long periods of time?

The facts? Focus on people first - they drive markets and knowing when that pipeline of buyers is getting smaller or larger is vital to understanding where a company is headed. Just a Levi's and Honda motorcycles why their sales fell off a cliff. It's because their buying audience collapsed.

Masked by all the hype, soundbite, headline and worry-a-second hysteria we seem to now deem as normal for markets and investing, the Fed data this week shows we have NEVER been richer. That's right, in all of time before us, inclusive of every single element we fear today, having already happened, US wealth - per capita, nominal and per household, has never been greater. Those who have suffered are often those who have panicked about the future.

Face it folks, we can wish it away if we like, but our demographics are set in stone....and they will last for decades. Not weeks, not in a quarterly earnings report, not missing by a penny....but decades of time.

Think demographics - not economics.

We are in great shape. Listen in and let us know what you think!

Ah yes, 10 days into summer and we are already hearing the call of the Black Swan. Who on Earth knows what it will be next. Brexit is in line, the Fed rate hike or not is here too. How about China? Wasn't that the monster of the week recently?

The bottom line: pray for a summer swoon. Yes, that's right - pray for one. Why? History tells us that, given the fact we are a mere 3% from all-time highs, every single one of them have been opportunities at lower prices.

Listen in and let us know what you think!

When I was a kid, my early years were focused on sailing the oceans. I learned much about life, people - and markets - as we sailed race after race - winning most. Amazingly, 40 years later - all the lessons still serve us well. The two most important for markets and generational wealth-building:

1) Stay focused on the current - not the surface of the water and

2) Keep a steady hand on the wheel during storms.

Listen in and let us know what you think!

When I was two years into the biz - in 1984 - during a particularly stressful week, someone I learned to respect greatly over time told me this: "Kid, there is a lot less to trading than meets the eye."

He was correct. Our mind is what gets in the way along the path. It is not the market that fools us - it is us who fools us.

Stay focused, be patient. Our best days are STILL ahead. Listen in and let us know what you think!

There is an age-old quest for investing with no risk. There is no such thing. Money for nothing is only a line in a song - not a secret pathway through the investing world that only a few know about. Make sure you understand one fact about investing: If you expect a return, you will be taking risk. Said another way, you want no risk, a) you are not investing and b) you cannot expect a return. Once these facts are accepted, the emotional triggers that "risk" causes in the minds of most investors will dissipate. Listen in and let us know what you think.

The jobs report on Friday suddenly drove the experts to suggest that the economy was running on empty. Nothing could be further from the truth. We need to realize the difference between 30-day reports which will change dynamically at times and 30-year trends which cannot be interrupted. There will always be ebbs and flows in the monthly and weekly views. Long-term investors must recognize these issues as opportunistic and not something to fear. Listen in and let us know what you think.

As covered before, summer swoons are positive - not something to be afraid of. The issue we might want to consider is this: After all the mess of the last 18 months, with the market basically going nowhere, the surprise might be that we break out to new highs sooner than expected. Listen is for more.

Ok so we made it through the sell in May process and now need to make sure we are aware of the next issue the press will make a big deal of - summer.

Lets hope for a summer swoon to keep the fear in place and the values solid for long-term investors.

Here we cover the hot topics before the Memorial Day Break. The GDP revision was upward as expected - listen in for more.