Georgia, Political Majorities, & Markets
Unprecedented! That word had been used ad nauseam in 2020.
Good News About Portfolio Costs from DFA
Investors will benefit from a reduction in investment costs associated with funds managed by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), effective February 28, 2020.
Grow Through What You Go Through
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
While this time has been incredibly difficult for so many, I hope that people look back on this time and remember the lessons they learned rather than the struggles they suffered.
Having Faith When It’s Scary
Market volatility can sometimes be downright scary. The other day, I read that the quarter ending June 30th was the 16th worst quarter in the history of the stock market. Even worse, the first quarter was bad too, making it one of the very worst six-month periods in nearly a century. How does an investor respond?
High Profit vs Low Profit: The Returns Are In!
If higher returns are offered to riskier investments, why is it that companies with higher profits generate better returns? Aren�t these companies less risky?
How Elections Affect the Market
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
A bit of history helps bring some perspective to trying to read too much into the influence of elections on stock markets.
How Should a Nonprofit Allocate its Investment Portfolio?
Let's review two industry studies, the NACUBO Study of Endowments and the Association Investment Policies, Practices and Performance. Each organization is different and has its own set of unique goals and challenges. Although this is the case, learning how other nonprofits invest can help ignite a meaningful conversation within your own organization.
How Should an Investor Position Their Overall Investment Portfolio Now and in the Future?
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
Right after, “What will the stock market do next?” the positioning question may be the most asked and re-asked question by investors of all types.
How the “Little Guy” Really Wins in the Market
Don’t believe the lie that you don’t belong or that the keys belong to someone who won’t give them to you.
Is Your Portfolio Tailored to Fit Your Needs, or Just ‘Off-The-Rack’?
While the alterations may be small and subtle, they make a big difference when it comes to comfort and fit. Our experience is better. For an investment thought experiment, think of the “off the rack suit” as the broad market; we simply take what we get off the shelf with no alteration. Now think of Foster Group as the tailor and the alterations as portfolio personalizations called factor allocations.
It’s Worth the Trip!
We had completed our hike successfully, and the challenges made it more memorable and satisfying. The same is true for all of us as investors.
Keep Three Buckets in Your Retirement Boat
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
One way to improve your investment experience is to walk through our lifeboat drill. Brad Rempe shares three 'buckets' to include.
Making the Most of a Bear Market
If you’re a young professional, negative market returns can carry less weight than you might think. Let’s use 2022 as an example.
Market Madness
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
There is just something about the NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Basketball Tournament. There is tremendous excitement in many families and workplaces as tournament brackets are filled in with predictions about the outcomes of 67 games over a three-week period.
Mutual Funds and ETFs: What’s the Difference?
There are structural differences between an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) and a mutual fund that can create advantages to using one over the other.
My Favorite Blog Posts and Podcast Episodes from 2020
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
Many of my favorite content pieces from 2020 reflect on the themes of uncertainty, risk, change, and remaining optimistic in the face of unsettling circumstances.
My Top 9 + 1 from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money, spent some time with us last month. Here are my takeaways.
Navigating the Course of Retirement Planning
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
Like in golf, planning for retirement is a game that requires strategy, focus, and a bit of finesse.
Navigating the Noise: A Reality Check on Fearful Headlines
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
Sometimes headlines are right, but remember they are created to get your attention, not necessarily to provide you with helpful information.
Nervous About the Market? Maybe You Need a Lifeboat.
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
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.
Positives About the Market
Category: Investing » Foster Group Investment Principles
2022 was a historically painful year as an investor with stock markets experiencing a bear market, and bond markets having one of their worst years ever. However, as we enter 2023, I’d like to consider the positives.