November 8, 2021 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

11/08/2021

You know the old saying, “What goes up must come down.” How is it that currently everything seems to be going up at the same time? Signs of inflation like oil prices, labor prices, trade deficits. And yet markets are going up with stocks at all-time highs. Bond prices are rising this week when often, bond prices move inversely to stock prices. Government spending is certainly going up, consumer spending is going up and tax rates seem to be poised to rise as well. What do all these upwards mean for investors?

January 25, 2021 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

01/25/2021

Four years ago, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States and small company stocks went up over 20% in three months post-election. In the three months since Joe Biden was elected President of the United States, small company stocks are up over 30%. Do small company stock investors just like new Presidents?

Are Rising Rates a Blessing or a Curse? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

09/27/2022

With the Fed having aggressively raised their target rate all year long and bond markets, as well as stock markets, having tough years, are rising rates a blessing or a curse?

Inflation Aware Investing

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

12/02/2021

You know the old saying, “What goes up must come down.” Currently everything seems to be going up at the same time.

Is ESG Investing Right for You? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

10/10/2022

What is ESG Investing and what could you expect over the long term?

Is the Stock Market a Glass Half Full?

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

02/08/2022

The month of January was marked by negative returns for global stock markets. But, as the well-worn phrase, “Is your glass half full or half empty?” implies, our view of, or the way we feel about the state of markets as investors, may be more related to our personal dispositions than what the numbers indicate.

January 11, 2021 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

01/11/2021

2020 had some very real rollercoaster moments – the question for markets and the economy is whether there is any reason to think they won’t hold up during and after our latest ride?

November 23, 2020 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

11/23/2020

1:13 - In the News: COVID-19 Cases, Employment Recovery
2:36 – Elections through Inaugurations
3:15 – Equity Factors: Comparison of Various Stock Indexes
5:24 – Expectations: Thinking Back to March 23, 2020

September 4, 2020 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

09/04/2020

1:00 - In the News: Record Budget Deficits, Employment Improves, Back to School, Markets Give Up Some Gains
3:00 - Investing "FOMO" - Fear of Missing Out
7:26 - Predictable Mistake: Chasing Top Performers

3 Reasons to Own Foreign Stocks … Now! | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

04/22/2024

You may find yourself asking, "Why should I be invested outside the US, when the US market is doing so well relative to foreign stocks?" This week, Kent Kramer explains how this question can be answered by understanding risk management, global opportunities, and the currency effect.

March 22, 2021 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles » Advance with Science

By Kent Kramer

03/22/2021

Many indicators say the US and global economy are growing at rates faster than expected. Most of this is welcome news given the past 12 months. But is there a danger the economy could overheat? Inflation continues to be on the minds of some, should it be on yours as well?

Recessions, Retirement, & Investments | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

04/24/2023

There's a lot of talk in the news about recession. Are we in one? Is there one coming? How long or how deep might that recession be? This week, Kent Kramer walks us through what different economists think might occur.

Knowing What Not To Do | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

05/09/2022

Stocks are down. Bonds are down. Inflation is up. There is a war in Europe. When nothing feels certain, what should investors do? One of the things we can do is pay attention to something else.

October 11, 2021 Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

10/11/2021

Friction can slow can down any machine. What was humming along only minutes or weeks ago, can labor under the strain of too little oil, a little sand in the gears, you name it. The US economy and markets have been seeing an increase in perceived frictions over the past month. Can we get back to smoother operations?

Thinking About Stock Market Volatility

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

07/11/2022

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?

Roadtrips & Recessions | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

06/27/2022

The economy and markets are a bit like summer car travel/construction. There's a recession and/or a bear market in the rearview mirror, you're in one, or there is one right around the corner.

Roadtrips & Recessions | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

06/27/2022

The economy and markets are a bit like summer car travel/construction. There's a recession and/or a bear market in the rearview mirror, you're in one, or there is one right around the corner.

How Can Investors Benefit from Higher Rates? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

04/25/2022

With inflation and interest rates rising, are there any silver linings for investors? One DIY US government bond investment you may not have heard about will soon be yielding over 9%. This week, Kent Kramer takes a look at I Bonds, what is happening in markets and the global economy, and what investors may want to know.

Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

08/08/2022

A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.

Is Now a Good Time to Invest? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

08/08/2022

A popular question investors often ask is whether NOW is a good time to invest. This week, Kent Kramer talks about what is happening in markets now, and in the past, and what investors may want to know.

How Much Should I Have in Stocks? | Financial Perspectives

Category: Investing » Equity / Stocks

By Kent Kramer

08/22/2022

Many people like the idea of higher expected returns that stocks may produce, but the higher return potential comes with more risk. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through a possible approach to understanding how much of your portfolio could be invested in stocks.