Insights on markets, emergent trends, history, innovation, risk management, global economics, strategy, policy, and other topics that catch our attention. Inspired by ongoing research, conversations and events. Written and edited by Osbon Capital Management and published every Thursday morning.
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Too much time is spent talking about price. Fundamentals are ultimately what drive equity prices higher over time. To say this another way, a company’s stock price can’t continue to rise unless it continues to be successful. The famous quote by Warren Buffett is, “In the short run, the market is a voting machine, but in the long run (...)
Three Investment Tools For You
Make it personal If you’ve ever used a power saw, food processor, or lawn mower, you know that the right tool makes any job much easier and faster. That’s the spirit behind the interactive, personalized tools in the Osbon Labs. With a few clicks of the mouse these tools will help you better understand your own financial situation and plan for…
5 Ways to Compare Investment Advisors
The relentless search for “better” is a basic, and essential, human instinct. We want better shelter, better food, better people in our lives. We want better goods and services so badly that entire industries have developed to create, advertise and sell them. We strongly encourage all investors to seek and demand better. Considering the time we spend choosing restaurants, detergent…
When You Are Acquired: the Three R’s
More than 20 Boston area companies have been acquired so far this year. Almost all were privately held. When you are acquired, it’s not just a life-changing liquidity event, it’s validation of your business model and a hard-earned reward for your ideas and long hours. In the big deal, you’ll receive cash, stock and/or incentives to continue working. Then what?Based…
Normal? Who can say?
Gary Shilling sells economic forecasts to institutional investors and corporations. He also provides investment advice to individuals. He basically makes a living by predicting what will happen in the economy and markets. Over his 35 year career he has sometimes been right, and sometimes been wrong. In general, he has predicted far more doom and gloom than has materialized. His…
6 Questions to Ask Your Advisor
Are you considering a new investment advisor? Or reflecting on an existing investment relationship? Or just wondering if you are getting the best for your money? Then use this six question investment checkup checklist as your guide. Ask your current advisor and any prospective advisor. By the time you are done, you’ll know if you and your money are in…
5 Healthy Investment Priorities for the Summer
Summer is a great time to accomplish things; it’s more relaxed and you have more time. With time to focus and prioritize, why not put the most important person – you – first? Here are five tasks with long and short-term payoffs for your to-do list. 1. Cut your taxes Let’s get started with the easy steps, like cutting taxes….
Beating a donkey for not being a horse
Active investors are at it again Underperforming, that is. According to the Wall Street Journal, 74 percent of actively managed large cap funds are lagging the S&P 500. The Journal’s story, “Stock Pickers Have Tough Time in 2014” lists the usual reasons active managers underperform such as market timing, high costs, wrong guesses and overconfidence in forecasting. Even the weather…
Boston goes to the Wall Street Decathlon
Once per year 150 amateur and former professional athletes from Wall Street ditch their suits and gather to raise money for Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatric Cancer Center by competing for the title of Wall Street’s Best Athlete. The event, the RBC Wall Street Decathlon, is comprised of 10 events designed as an all around test of speed, strength, and stamina….
Investment Fitness Checklist
Investment fitness never goes out of style The last time I wrote about investment fitness, I suggested that the best time to put your portfolio into order and balance was during good times, because it can be difficult and expensive to accomplish during market turmoil. As it turned out, that was November 30, 2007, shortly after the Dow crested over 14,000…
