John Osbon's Posts

When we buy products or pay for services we expect the best. When it comes to your money manager how do you know he/she is constantly striving to deliver the best for you, namely, value well in excess of cost? Are you getting everything you expect and deserve? Consider these six service situations as a test. Uncompromising standards Here’s how…

Gold wants love, but gets none. Japan is dying for affection, but gets none. In recent weeks we’ve discussed these lonely asset classes and why they still belong in most portfolios. What’s next – and last – on the wallflower roster? Are there valuable assets here waiting to be scooped up while no one cares? Read on. Ugly ducklings Emerging markets…

Face it, the last ten days have been the opposite of benign for investors. An unprecedented three years without a 10% correction ended abruptly last week. What can you learn about your portfolio from the market swoon. Quite a bit, it turns out. Here’s your checklist. When we start working with new clients, we always take a close look at…

Two weeks ago we talked about the four year 40 percent decline in gold, making it one of the world’s most thoroughly unloved asset classes. Gold’s big decline is a sure signal to rebalance. But gold’s not the only asset looking for love in all the wrong places. This week we have an even worse performance story: zero return after 25…

There aren’t too many investments selling today at their 2010 prices. Not the stock market, up more than 100% since then. Or the bond market, lower in yield by 50% and therefore much higher in price. Or real estate which has surged broadly since that time. What’s left? Gold!, the investment that is fast becoming completely unloved. Why own gold…

You’d have to be paying very close attention to recent IRS comments to know that your potential estate tax just went down $2 million. How is this possible? Aren’t taxes going up everywhere? Not for some wealthy folks and their heirs. Does this apply to you? Here’s what the IRS has posted lately. Death and taxes They say you can…

Chinese stocks were up 150 percent since last November and now they are down 35 percent since June. The popular business press is reporting more and more on the Chinese stock market up and downs. What’s going on? Should you care, and should you invest? Here are a few facts that will put you ahead of the discussion. How big is China?…

Did you ever have the sense you were somehow being taken advantage of when buying or selling a municipal bond?  It’s not a good feeling. But with EMMA, the Electronic Municipal Market Access, you will never experience that again. This online system lets you see all muni bond trade prices as they happen.  In terms of providing transparency and protecting your interests, it…

Markets change. Goals remain. You’ve probably noticed this line on our emails or web site. These four words are so much more than a marketing slogan. They’re the factual and philosophical basis for all we do. Markets do change. Everyday. It’s our job to keep your portfolio on track toward your long term goals as markets shift, drift, jump and…