How Elections Affect the Market
A bit of history helps bring some perspective to trying to read too much into the influence of elections on stock markets.
Coronavirus Worries Drive Economic Uncertainty and Stock Market Declines
Investment markets around the world have been declining sharply this week in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Recent Market Volatility: Coronavirus Worries Are Only Part of the Story
In addition to the coronavirus, other sources of investor uncertainty include global economic growth, the UK finalizing their Brexit negotiations, trade negotiations between Europe and the US, President TrumpÆs impeachment and ongoing Senate trial, and 20
Diversification: Preparing for the Next Surprise
Probably only one thing is certain: The world is still full of surprises yet to be revealed. Is your portfolio diversified in preparation for the next one?
2020: A Predictor’s Kryptonite
At the end of 2019, Foster Group’s Investment Strategy Group wanted to create an object lesson to illustrate how hard it is to predict what will happen in financial markets and the world in general.
Being a Counterintuitive Investor – Do Stock Markets Follow GDP?
It turns out GDP growth rates and stock market performance are not highly correlated in the way we would expect.
Who Can Benefit from a 529 Plan
While the tax advantages and financial benefits are well-known aspects of a 529 plan, what are some lesser known features of the program?
While You Were Sleeping
Imagine that you fell asleep at the beginning of the year and woke up at the end of 2020. When you wake up, there are some things that would immediately feel different.
Don’t Mix FOMO with Home Buying
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
For most Americans, their house is their most significant asset. But it’s also the most personal one. There's a lot of emotion inside those four walls. If you want to buy your first or next home, it’s crucial to have a game plan going into it. Here are a few principles to consider when it comes to buying a home.
Should You Work with a CEFEX-Certified Advisory Firm?
Category: Foster Group
Foster Group is the only firm in Iowa and Nebraska that has been CEFEX-certified since 2007.
What Tax Documents Do Investors Need to File?
Category: Financial Planning
I start getting anxious this time of year when I am forced to collect all the necessary information for my tax advisor. In preparation for the upcoming tax deadline, Monday, April 18, 2022, I wanted to summarize what to expect in the way of relevant tax information related to your investments.
What to Do & What Not to Do in Response to Russia-Ukraine War
Pictures and video coming from Ukraine are difficult to watch. As humans, we may be angered and ask, “How can I help?” In investing, typically the best thing to do in the moments when we are most tempted to do “something,” is simply to sit still.
Nervous About the Market? Maybe You Need a Lifeboat.
Market volatility tends to unnerve even the calmest of investors. How do we know what to hold and how much to hold at any particular time? That’s a crucial question, but the answer does not need to be complicated.
Recession “Reaction”
Plenty of arguments exist as to why we will be and/or already are in a recession. However, there is good news out there that isn’t readily reported.
Running to Retirement
Stay diversified, and stay the course. That’s good advice for both runners and investors.
Brock Purdy and the Importance of Inconsequential Decisions
Category: Financial Planning
One seemingly small decision that no one thought would matter made a significant difference for the Bay Area team and its fans...
Baseball and Investing: Managing Behavior for Success
Money is emotional and our “news” cycle is a catalyst. Investors react to what they hear and how they feel, oftentimes to their own detriment.
Fantasy Football and Financial Planning: What is your strategy?
Making good decisions and ultimately avoiding costly mistakes can be life-changing. Note that it does not start and end with picking the best player or hot stock but rather goals and a plan.