Trouble With Mean Reversion
Category: Investing
Today’s Markets Are Powerful Partners for Investor Success
Category: Investing
Kent Kramer explains how investors can make today's market's their partners for investor success.
Timing Isn’t Everything
Category: Investing
Attempting to buy individual stocks or make tactical asset allocation changes at exactly the “right” time presents investors with substantial challenges.
Time to Revisit Your Cash Reserve Fund
Category: Financial Planning » Cashflow
Nearly four out of ten Americans lack enough money to cover an unexpected $400 expense? The statistics on this have remained consistent over the years. One of the first steps in building a strong financial foundation is creating an emergency fund. The idea is to prepare for the unexpected expenses of life.
Three Categories of Risk for Retirement Income
Risks can often feel much different to retirees. The overarching risk for retirees is that something takes place that results in a permanently lower standard of living. Retirement researcher, Wade Pfau, has identified three major categories of risk for one’s income in retirement.
Thinking About Stock Market Volatility
Category: Investing
What caused the stock market to rise by over 20% in the second quarter of 2020 even as the COVID pandemic was out of control? How about the over 11% rise in the fourth quarter of 2021 as inflation ticked up and the Fed was warning of rate increases? It seems a little more obvious why the US stock market has fallen in the first 6 months of 2022, but should it have fallen more…or less?
Things to Ponder This Holiday Season
Category: Foster Group
At Foster Group, the most important thing we do is help our clients have peace of mind. The planning, investing and conversations that lead to peace of mind vary from client to client. The benefits, however, are similar.
The War in Ukraine | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
There’s likely no more important news in the world right now than what is happening in Ukraine as Russia invades their smaller neighbor. Economic impacts are being felt across the globe and there is certainly a humanitarian crisis developing in Europe. Let’s take a look at the impact the Ukraine/Russia crisis has on the US and global economy.
The Troubles with Tariffs | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
How do tariffs impact your investment portfolio? This month, Kent Kramer discusses the latest tariff policies, market volatility, and why diversification is key to managing uncertainty.
The Gift of Fandom—and Financial Wisdom
What do investing and being a loyal sports fan have in common? More than you might think. Read on to discover how the ups and downs of fandom can mirror the journey of long-term investing—and why both are worth the ride.
The Future is Uncertain. Better to Prepare than Predict.
Category: Investing
Because I work for Foster Group, a firm dedicated to truly caring for the financial lives of those we serve, a lot of the conversations we have with regard to this uncertainty relate to money
The Curse of Short-Termism | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
Why is short-termism a curse for investors? How can you overcome it by focusing on the big picture? This week, Kent Kramer explains how to avoid the pitfalls of recency bias and market noise.
The Challenge of Entering a Bull Market
Category: Investing
A Q&A with Senior Lead Advisor, Phil Kruzan.
The Biggest Risk to Investors Remaining in 2020?
Category: Investing
Aside from COVID-19, what represents the biggest risk for investors in the second half of what is turning out to be a historic 2020?
The “Gift” You Shouldn’t Open: Predictions | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
It's that time of year -- news outlets are gathering up nicely wrapped predictions and estimates on what the markets will do in 2024. This week, Kent Kramer analyzes how accurate, or inaccurate, these predictions actually have been in the past.
That’s Not What I Expected | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
Oftentimes, you don't know what your expectations are until they aren't met. This week, Kent Kramer looks at how relative risk and comparison within investing may impact your investment experience.
Tax Loss Harvesting: Losing to Win?
Category: Investing
In the investing world, how can it be possible to win even when you lose? That is precisely what occurs when utilizing a tax loss harvesting strategy. Let's take a look!
Tariffs, Turmoil, and Market Decline | Financial Perspectives
Category: Investing
What's the rationale behind the steep new US tariffs and what does that mean for an investor's portfolio? What can or should we do as investors? In this special edition Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer covers the announced tariffs, the impact on markets, and the dos and don'ts during market turmoil.
Taking the Long View in a Short-Term World
Category: Investing
One of the primary roles we play as financial advisors is to help our clients remember to take the long-view.
Tailoring Your Financial Plan to Match Your Goals
If you are a client of Foster Group and have met with your advisor recently, you may have discussed what’s important to you, what we are planning for as it relates to your goals, and what you hope to achieve.
Stormy Markets | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
With the US stock market in bear market territory as we go into the second half of 2022, you might feel like we're in a bit of a storm. If you've been feeling under prepared, Matt Moklestad walks us through six considerations for times like these.